One of many marginal hands

[The_Tracker]

Party Poker 1/2 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls, MP1 calls, MP2 folds, Hero calls, CO folds, Button folds, SB folds, BB checks.

Flop: (4.50 SB) A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(4 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">BB bets</font>, UTG+1 calls, MP1 calls, Hero calls.

Turn: (4.25 BB) T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(4 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">BB bets</font>, UTG+1 calls, MP1 calls, Hero folds.......is this dumb?

[emonrad87]

I would raise the flop. If he 3-bets, you call and then check/fold the turn unimproved. If he calls, continue being aggressive. Many, many times he will show mid or bottom pair.

[Ajax410]

This is an example where you need to raise for information, or if you're not willing to do that, fold the flop. You have no idea what he's holding. It could be a better ace, it could be 79, it could be an OESD. Calling is actually the worst possible course of action - you gain no information on the BB, or anyone else's, holdings, and you are forcing yourself into a situation on the turn where you're betting in bigger quantities. Learn all you can on the flop, since it's as cheap as it's gonna get.

Ajax

[Webster]

yup - raise the flop and become the leader until you hear otherwise.

[JoshuaD]

Definitely raise the flop. You won't get yourself in that position on the turn if you play the flop aggresively.

[AVF2k1]

Raise the flop!

[theghost]

Raise the flop - this is a cheap street to find out where you're at.
Button might be betting middle pair just so he can see where he stands as well - what if he doesn't bet, it checks around, and the CO or button spits a chip; does that mean they have anything? no.
So he needs to bet out even with a small piece while it's cheap.
Your raise might also shake off some draws before that 10 hits and makes it dangerous.

[jay1313]

Agree, raise the flop, you have the TP. If someone is not afraid of your pair, they will raise, otherwise you take control and move from there.

[MarkL444]

Do you guys really think his hand is strong enough to raise on the flop? He won't knock anyone out unless BB 3-bets, and that isnt exactley a good thing. What do you really find out by raising and having everyone call? His kicker isnt even playing on that board, so he is chopping with any worse ace and losing to any better. There are a lot of unfavorable draws. I also wouldnt be suprised if the blind made two pair with the flop. Calling the flop is a must with your backdoor flush, but that turn totally killed your hand. Even if I'm wrong on this hand (considering many posts are from people who make mistakes, ie you would have won had you called), I still like this line.

Mark

[nyc999]

I agree with raising the flop.

Looking at it from the BB's point-of-view, I would bet if I had TP, an OESD or flush draw, which are all possible. Raise for information.