Live $5/$10/$25 PLO

I don't remember stack sizes, but let's just say everybody is deep enough that nobody is getting all in on this hand.

Villain 1 is on the button. Older guy who never seems to bluff ever. Plays tight and passive. Currently he is sitting on a decent stack. Maybe up $4k or so, which I assume is pretty good for him as he doesn't play that well. It's my first time playing with him.

One limper, Villain 1 raises to 75 from the button. Hero calls from the SB with KKxx. I don't remember what my other two cards were, and it's not important as the other cards didn't connect with the board. BB calls, straddle calls, limper calls. 5 way action to the flop.

$375 in the pot, flop is KQ4 with a Spade flush draw. Hero (with zero spades in his hand) leads out for $375. Straddle calls. Button calls.

$1500 in the pot. Turn is non-spade A, so board is KQ4A. Hero checks. Straddle checks. Button bets $800. Hero is over 95% sure that this particular villain would never bluff here, and has the straight. Only betting $800 into $1500 though, hero calls hoping the board pairs. Straddle folds.

$3100 in pot (both players left still have at least $6k remaining in their stack). River is 7 of spades.

Hero? Worth a bluff or just check?

My first instinct is not to bluff here for 2 reasons.

1: With set & flush draw Hero might take a more aggressive line on the turn - would also consider alternative lines on the flop or perhaps just bet smaller

2: Villain's small sizing on the turn could suggest he has a re-draw to go along with a straight.


It is possible villain turned something like AK and was less strong than you expected but given your reads I would go ahead and give it up now.

I'm feeling some AAxx spades vibes here

On the turn I don't think he's putting in a 1/2 pot bet with the nut straight and no re-draws. That would be pretty dumb in a multi-way pot with only 1 card to go.

I think you're down to two scenarios:

1) Button has the nut straight on the turn with either a set or a big flush draw (the latter is obviously more likely considering your holding, not to mention the call by the straddle on the flop who likely flopped two pair or missed a straight on the turn and hit a 2nd pair). He's comfortable bringing a caller along.

2) Button wasn't as strong as you think he was on the turn when he bet, but now he's got the stone cold nuts on the river. As/Ax/xs as mentioned, is very possible.

If you don't think he's bluffing the turn with air then I think you're losing regardless when the river hits and you're about to get called on a a bluff.

so villain plays too loose and you are thinking of trying to bluff him off a straight?

Actually, I said in the OP that villain plays "tight and passive", not sure where you're getting that I said loose.

I also said that he's up $4k which is probably really good for him, so he might be more inclined to fold to a bluff (if he doesn't have a flush or the A of spades), since he might be trying to lock up a win.

Dont bluff, he rarely has a naked JT in this spot. You dont have any blockers, just check/fold, look for a better spot imo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the turn is a fold. He bets 800 in 1500, you get 3.8 to 1 on your call, so you need about 25.8% equity. If all your outs are live (which is nearly impossible with the given description of V1) you have about 25% chance of making a boat. Maybe you have some implied odds, but he can also have AAxx (with spades or J10) so also reversed implied.
Also, V2 (the straddle) often blocks 2 of your outs after calling the flop (K4, 44, KQ)

Can you remember the exact board? kQ4 with 2 spades, but which card was no spade? If both the K and Q are spades it reduces the possible spade combos of V1's tight range. (KJ10ss/QJ10ss). It obviously makes more sence to bluff the river if V can have less flush combos.

Anyway, He still has a lot of flush combos (AAxsXXs / AJ10ss / J10ssXX) so I would most likely just checkfold river as played. And like others said, his small sizing more often then not means he has strong backup to go with his made hand.

Agree with others, not a great spot to bluff

Straddle folding also puts more spades in villains combos since straddle would have continued with spades on the turn

Could be a very useful sizing tell against this guy

c/f turn as he can have AA10J w no spades which in that case ur dead. even if that's not the case, u need a river 4,Q or K as I don't think u will be comfortable with a river A. and don't lead flop

Yes your side cards matter. BTN raised to $75 pre when the pot is ~$125. His underbet PF is a generally sign of weakness. He's passive, so you don't mind iso'ing OOP since he won't put as much pressure the times you miss.