Who played worse?

[Billy LTL]

A very tight online 10-20 game. I'm totally bored, having mostly folded cheese for over an hour and preparing to call it a night, but stupidly decide to play the hand I've been dealt UTG.

I open for a raise. Folded to the button who reraises. So much for stealing the blinds in an attempt to break even. I call.

The flop is AKQ. I check. Button checks.
The turn is an 8. I check. Button checks.
The river is another Q. I check, my opponent thinks for a moment then mucks his cards.

I'm wondering if my 55 would have won a showdown. I cannot even begin to guess what my opponent had. Billy

[Dynasty]

In a hand like this, the player who lost the pot but could have won it by betting is the one who played worse.

He could have 3-bet with T9s or 76s or 44.

[Billy LTL]

Good answer. My opponent certainly could have won it with a bet at any stage.

I should have put one bet in on the flop. I hated saying "check" even as the word was sliding out of my mouth.

[Nottom]

I have to believe that you would have won the showdown simply because I really can't see someone mucking a pair of anything without showing down in that situation.

That being said, your opponent was definatly the bad player here, since he could have won with a bet and instead chose to lose. With him having re-raised you pre-flop and having position on you, he needs to do something to take control of this pot.

He never gave you the opportunity to fold, and therefore never gave himself the opportunity to win.