NL Theory Question

[ThePopinjay]

Here's a situation that comes up often where I am often befuddled. I have top pair on a low board, say 835 and K8 is my hand. I 3/4 pot it 3 handed out of position. Button calls, headsup. The button is very loose, and slightly aggressive. He probably has something like 24. Turn is a Q. How much should I bet or should I check and why?

[fnord_too]

I would check raise the flop. Betting the flop just sets you up to make a big mistake. A very common very effective play with position is to call the flop raise and bet or raise the turn if your opponent checks or makes a weak bet. I personally do not like leading the turn with middle pair second kicker.

In general, coming in out of position without a raise preflop and leading the flop is a sign of weakness, and it will be viciously attacked by aggressive players. (Why lead if you are strong? Why not check raise?) Against savy aggresive opponents, you can lead your strong hands and really screw them up, but until they know you will deviate in these ways, don't lead your weak hands.

Caveat: I'm just starting to play NL ring games again, and most of my recent NL experience is from tournaments.

[KeyToTheMint]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a situation that comes up often where I am often befuddled. I have top pair on a low board, say 835 and K8 is my hand. I 3/4 pot it 3 handed out of position. Button calls, headsup. The button is very loose, and slightly aggressive. He probably has something like 24. Turn is a Q. How much should I bet or should I check and why?

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's what im going to do. Make sure you can withstand the standard
deviation and your reads are beautiful.

I am assuming just the blinds and puck saw the flop for 1 BB. So
there is 3 BB in the pot. You bet 2.25 BB and he called so the pot is 7.5BB. I will assume you have some typical stack size. Let's say each
of you started the hand with 70 BB. No good can come from betting the
turn. I know he is on the straight draw because you told me he is. He is
a 4.5 to 1 dog to hit it. If you make a pot size bet on the turn and he
calls and then a straight card comes and you check to this aggressive
player on the river and he makes a pot size bet on the river will you call?
If you call he gets 5-1 on the turn bet and played right. I also don't see
how betting pot size on the turn and folding on the rive after checking
is profitable for you. The play is clear assuming u know hes aggressive
and on the straight draw. Check the turn. When he puts in a pot size bet
after u check to him, your play is to move in. He'll even fold a queen.
This overbet is more than 2 and half times the pot. He's getting less
than 1.4 to 1 on his draw and will have to fold. Make sure your read is
right .

Note if he checks the turn. Your play is to check call a pot size bet on
river. I don't want to get into the analysis but keep in mind his most likely
hands were straight draws or overcards. Every single card on the river
which doesn't help your hand (king and 8) will hit overcards or complete
the straight.

Im interested what others think and go ahead and cut up my play if
necessary.