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Also, you're too likely to induce a bluff if you check the flop, IMO


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I was thinking along the same lines. I hated the flop, but with the two hearts on the board, the fact that there were 2 aces instead of one, and the checks in front of me, I thought I had a good chance of having the best hand.

I like your line much better, though. A small bet to represent an ace gives me the information I need without putting all my chips at risk. Hopefully, it also slows the other two down.