88 Final Table hand (Party $30)

[betgo]

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And his range is way, WAY ahead of my hand (yes even considering he could have a smaller pair... his range crushed mine).

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You are 36% against AJo, 90% against 66, and 85% against A6o. You are 3% against KQ, but there are very few hands where you are really far behind. If you add it up, I am pretty sure you are ahead of villain's range. Plus you have pot odds and folding equity, so you don't need to be ahead of villain's range.

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I hate checking this flop, and think everyone who said to lead, and fold to a raise was correct.

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Can't do this. You have a draw and a made hand. Villain could raise with a draw and/or a made hand. Once you bet, your pot odds are even greater and it is unlikely you are that far behind.

88 on a JT9 board is garbage in a multiway pot. Heads up in the blinds, it is fairly strong.