Tough Spot

[zepmetal]

$1BB, $100NLHE on Party, 4 handed. I raise Jd7d to $3 from UTG, BB calls.

Flop($6): Qs Js 7s
I have $85 behind, He has the same.
Villain bets $4. I call.

Previouly villain had open limped from the button, I call in SB, and lead out with QT on a T high 2 tone board, Villain called. I check and call $5 on on offsuit K turn, Check fold to pot bet on river blank. I thought I played it badly, but thats beside the point. I hadnt seen him get out of line.

Turn($14): 5c
Villain bet $10, I raise to $35, Villain calls $25.

River($78): 6d
Villain bets $49 allin...

I don't like my situation here. Villain could have chosen this line with a made flush, could have beter two pair, could be just trying to push me around. I odnt' see any non-bluff making this river play. More accurately, I don't see any hand I beat making this river bet. So easy fold, right?

Comments on flop and turn play too, please. The river is a tough spot, in my mind, so I'd like thoughts on the river as it was played, but also suggestions on flop/turn play to avoid this situation.

[guaranteedBluff]

you have to raise the flop to see where you stand, especially with the flush draw out there.

Could he have something like AQ or KQ with one spade? Thats what I would put him on, and I'd call.

[amoeba]

why the turn raise?

[amoeba]

so if called where does he stand?

[guaranteedBluff]

You'll have to evaluate that on the turn (i.e. if he bets and how much)

[GrunchCan]

[ QUOTE ]
why the turn raise?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just call down, to control pot size?

[amoeba]

you can do the same with just calling I think.

but I definitely like flop raise more than turn raise.

[amoeba]

at this point its fairly clear that villain does not have the ace flush draw.

It just doesn't make sense for him to lead both streets with that hand.

so we put him on some made hand. given that I don't know how much fold equity I have against a hand like QJ, I don't want to raise here to represent a flush.

I like calling down.

[zepmetal]

I had thought about this before reading these replies, and I realized that calling down was probably best. I dont like calling a pot-sized bet on the river, but I might do it and will call most reasonable bets in the river.

I'm not sure what I think of a flop raise. If called, do youi plan to check behind on the turn? call a river bluff? That doesnt seem bad. Bet the turn and fold to additional betting (C/R, river push)? I don't much like that idea, but agaisnt people who play their cards, tis not too bad.

I hadnt eliminated a draw from opps possible holdings by the tikme he bets the turn, given my image (which I believe was aggresive and basically bad) and the previous action between me and opp. So, I wanted to play back to make him pay with a hand like AsQo.

What would you need to believe for my line to be correct? That is, is there ever an opponent for whom you like my line?

Finally, as i played it, whats the rivr play. Call or fold?

[amoeba]

I like your line for people who'll lay down QJ and bottom set here as you are representing either set or made flush on the turn.

I know many people don't like to call pot sized river bets but the 25 you raised on the turn could be used to do so.

also by calling the turn, if a 4th flush card hits, and he checks and we bet, I see a lot of folding equity against a made hand that beats us.