[Shillx]

Well yeah you should certainly bet the river. He played his hand poorly on the river if he has a higher [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (or any [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] for that matter). Obviously he would be playing better (with a spade) if he knew that you were a good player, but he has no idea since he just sat down. A good player would expect another good player to check the 9 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] behind on the turn, so his play appeared to work out this time.

My theory on these types of hands is that you shouldn't bet the turn unless you have the nuts or nothing. Look at the advantage of checking the 4th nut flush on the turn...

1) If he has nothing he will just fold and he isn't folding a better hand here.
2) He might bluff the river after you check the turn.
3) He might check/call the river fearing that you are bluffing after you check the turn.
4) You save $$$ when you are behind.
5) It is WA/WB so you will almost never get outdrawn when you are behind and you are drawing dead when he has you beat.

So my play here is to check the turn and then either call a river bet or bet the river when checked to.

Brad