OK, new to NL ring, yada yada, so I'll post my thoughts on this hand. I'm much more interested in thinking like a winner than winning a hand here or there. So here we go... (and I'll do this in the OP from now on, so I don't have to bump a dead thread.)
I think the decision on every street is interesting here. Villain is 17.2/0/3 after (only) 29 hands.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (10 handed)
converter
UTG+2 ($49.65)
MP1 ($50.10)
MP2 ($93.05)
MP3 ($90.45)
Hero ($51.45)
Button ($49.25)
SB ($45.70)
BB ($50)
UTG ($48.45)
UTG+1 ($53.45)
Preflop: Hero is CO with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. SB posts a blind of $0.25.
<font color="#666666">
3 folds</font>, MP1 calls $0.50, <font color="#666666">
1 fold</font>, MP3 calls $0.50, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">
3 folds</font>, MP1 calls $2.50, MP3 folds.
AA, raise, standard.
Flop: ($7.25) K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP1 checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $5</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP1 raises to $15</font>, Hero calls $10.
I don't like the CR, but I c-bet most flops, so he could just be testing me. KQ and a set of 7s are a definite possibility, as are testing the waters and a big draw like AJs or TJs. So here's my first question... if I feel like I'm behind by a lot or ahead by a little, is calling the $10 even a good idea? Folding just seems awfully weak to me. A 3-bet crossed my mind, but I couldn't see value in it.
Turn: ($37.25) 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP1 checks, Hero checks.
A spade is a good card for me since it gives me the nut flush draw, so I'll happily take my free card here. I also discredit KQ and a set of 7s here, since I'm pretty sure they would lead the turn after CRing the flop... right? So now I'm all around confused and thinking he either has AK / AQ that he slowed down with or a flush draw that just hit. Either way, I'm thinking the best play is a check behind. My question is what if a non-spade falls and it's checked to me? How out of line would a push be (bearing in mind that it would be nearly exactly pot-sized)? I'm guessing a check is still the best play...?
River: ($37.25) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">MP1 bets $15</font>, Hero calls $15.
Odd. Did the turn scare him? Is this a blocking bet with one of the hands I mentioned on the flop? Or is it a blocking bet with AK? Or is it a value bet with a flush? I feel like I'm behind here but I'm getting almost 3.5:1, so I decide to call. I would have folded to $25 or $30. Good river line?
Final Pot: $67.25
Villain shows black 10s. Holla. Ship it.
Maybe I'm over analyzing a simple hand, but I thought it was pretty interesting.