5. street decision

[Carlos]

5-handed $1/$2 online game with a $.25 ante and a $.5 bring in. I'm the bring in with a pair of 4's and get 3 callers. 4.street is checked around.

5.street
Player 1: (X X) Js 9c 3c
Player 2: (4h 4c) 3s 2c Ac
Player 3: (X X) Jc 8c Kh
Player 4: (X X) 4d Kc Kd
Folded: 8h

The kings bet out and player 1 folds. Fold, call or raise?

Thanks,
Carlos

[Dynasty]

The pot is so small that folding is probably best.

If Player 4 has reasonable staring hand requirements then he should have a split pair of 4's, a pocket pair, or a diamond 3-flush. You definitely have the worst hand and may even have the worse draw.

In a larger pot, it would be an easy call. Folding is only an option because the pot is miniscule.

[Ray Zee]

here is how to think about the decision. you are getting about 4 to 1 on the pot odds to call. plus any implied odds if you hit a hand that beats him. but since most of what you hit will scare him off you dont get much implied odds here. see that.
on the other hand count the cards you have seen. its about 15. so you have 8 cards that make you a better hand than his.4,a,a,a,5,5,5,5. i think thats right. so you are less than 4 to 1 to out draw him next card. so its about a toss up what to do. if you think he may have a diamond draw take away from your chances. if you think he may have nothing else add to it.
go from there. if you think these things through enough times the guess you make gets real close and happens quickly in the heat of battle.