Raising for value out of position.

[PokerSparky]

I felt like raising the flop for value was correct here. I wasn't sure whether I should go ahead and lead the turn though.

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is SB with A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP3 raises</font>, CO calls, Button calls, Hero calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls.

Flop: (15 SB) T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(7 players)</font>
Hero checks, UTG checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG+1 bets</font>, UTG+2 calls, MP3 folds, CO calls, Button folds, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises</font>, UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, CO calls.

Turn: (12.50 BB) J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(5 players)</font>
Hero???

[Catt]

Leading the flop is much better than check-raising here. With the nut flush draw you want bets going into the pot, but I think you're much more likely to have that happen by leading. You've got a very large pot and 7 players, 3 of which are trapped between you and the PFR. There are tons of hands that will peel for 1 bet even with the chance of getting raised behind, as there are a lot of hands that will call two cold. By leading you may get a chance to 3-bet and/or see the flop capped -- you also have the chance to just call a raise if a bunch of people fold, or smooth call a three bet if that comes about, allowing you to check from first position on the turn when a blank falls without telegraphing that you're likely on a flush draw. IMHO, not leading this flop is a pretty big mistake.

As you played it, I'd check the turn. It may telegraph that you're on a flush draw, but since there is now 3 to a straight on the board, some may think you got scared by the turn card and were C/Ring a non-flush draw on the flop. Leading is viable, especially if you think you'll get several callers. But C/Ring this flop from the SB and having your raise just get called highlights how a non-[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] turn can put you in a somewhat sticky position.