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[slim]

"folding to any other bets the rest of the hand"

Would you really fold to a river bet if it was checked on the flop AND the turn?>?????

[Pensive Gerbil]

I'm not sure about checking the flop with the intention of betting (or raising) the turn. Betting the flop would be a lower variance option IMO. Though you give up the opportunity to induce bluffs, you also probably avoid having to subsequently payoff two big bets with a losing hand. [If your flop bet is raised or called in more than one spot, you can be done with the hand.]

Checking the flop with the intention of folding to a turn bet may also be reasonable. It would certainly minimize vairance, but I think at the cost of some EV.

I am less ambivalent about your turn play. Your raise was bad IMO. The bettor is probably weak and you should encourage him to bet again on the river by calling. This could also save you money in the event that a tricky player in early position checked twice with a big hand. [Also, your turn raise looks suspicious and thus is not likely to cause the bettor to laydown a better ace.]

-PG

[DanZ]

the flip side is it's completely obvious to everyone holding an ace or a 4 that they could slowplay with this board, so their checking to you is no information at all.

IMHO, the best play is to put in a flop bet an be done if you are called or raised.

Dan Z.