the old paradox

[hazeelnut]

We all know that on the river you shouldnt bet a hand that is likely the best hand but if called it is likely the worst hand. My question is this: how does this concept apply to earlier streets?

Take this hand for example, 3/6 NL, i'm in the big blind with 64o. 2 limpers and the flop comes JJ6 rainbow. Now it's likely that i have the best hand, and it's also a very vulnerable hand so i don't want to give any free cards. But clearly, very few hands worse than this will call my bet on the flop. Should you be more or less inclined to bet with this hand than no hand at all since this hand has some value that gets thrown away with a bet? Whats the play for this hand and similar ones?

Hazeelnut