Straight but the flush draw gets there...

[MuckerFish]

I figure I've sucked enough free education from you guys, and it's my turn to start contributing. I'll try to post one or two of my more thought provoking hands each week. Hope it helps the forum a bit.
(The site I play at isn't supported by the converter, I'll try to re-create the format as best as possible)

200NL, 9 handed
Button: 238
SB: 237.25
BB (Hero): 278.5
UTG: 117.5
UTG+1 (Villian) : 249.25
UTG+2 255.39
MP1: 90.90

Preflop; Hero dealt 9 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]T [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
UTG calls, Villian calls, UTG+2 calls, UTG+3 calls, folds to me, I check. 5 players, pot=10.5

Flop: 7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]6 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]
Hero bets 12, 1 fold, villian calls, MP1 calls. 3 players, pot=47

Turn Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]
Hero bet 65, Villian calls, MP folds. Pot= 175

River: 5 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]
Hero??

No significant reads on villian, haven't seen him get out of line in the short time at the table.
The flush getting there was worrisome. Does open pushing the river have enough fold equity against a non-nut flush? Does it lose too much value from 2 pair/over pair/sets? If I block for 80 or so, I'd get queasy if he comes over the top, leaving me having to call 120 to win about 350.

All comments appreciated. Thanks!

[beavens]

a blocking bet on the river and folding to a push seems like the best play - do you think he'd chase a flush all the way down though??

1/2? pot flop and turn, c/c reasonable bet on river?

[CaptainNoBeard]

for what it's worth, i don't like the flop overbet. just pot it and hope a set raises.

[4_2_it]

You played it fine till now. Block the river, but I think you have to call his push without a read. He may have been chasing the straight. More likely he has two pair.

[fathertime]

I'm check/calling the river, which allows him to bluff the flush and straight card. If he does have the flush, he'll want to get paid off and so he will probably make a callable value bet.

I'd like to hear your thoughts and others on whether this is a good spot to push the turn?

[4_2_it]

[ QUOTE ]

I'd like to hear your thoughts and others on whether this is a good spot to push the turn?

[/ QUOTE ]

A push is such a large over bet that only a set or a straight stays with you. I like the pot sized bet because it prices out draws and does not pot commit hero.

I don't like checking the river because worse hands (that would call a blocking bet) will just check through while hands that have you beat will always bet (and your intent is to call).

[fathertime]

I know it is a big overbet but I get called on the turn by draws frequently enough that I wonder whether this is a good spot to push.

You may lose some value against worse hands that will make a crying call but I think you gain against his hand range:

1. If you bet river and he pushes, there is a very good chance he has the flush. I hate not getting to showdown here and will call against most players.
2. If you bet he will probably fold all hands except for a smaller straight and a flush.

And so a bet here folds a worse hand and allows a better hand to push.

But if you check

1. he may bet a worse hand to represent the board (a lot of players will bet when checked to)
2. he may bet two pair, either because he thinks it best or because he thinks you may fold to the flush scare card
3. he will bet a straight
4. he will bet a flush

And so checking allows you a chance of making more money against his hand range.

[4_2_it]

You make some excellent points, but very few players are capable of betting that river with anything worse than a 9 high straight. However, I think players with sets and 2 pr will call a value bet here which is where you make your money.

If you get pushed I think you still have to make a crying call unless you know that villain is a bona fide chase no matter the cost player. Most chasers fold to a pot sized turn bet if they havn't caught a piece of the flop.

[Hattifnatt]

I would buy your reasoning if it wasnt a fourcardstraight on the board that makes 90% of the players just check behind with sets and 2 pairs in this spot hoping to take it down.

But I would probably blockbet even if it wasnt a fourcardstraight out there...