V1: Middle-aged asian female. Had been playing aggressive early in the session, but about an hour ago she started knitting at the table and hasn't played a hand since minutes. She has $800.

V2: Young male. Had been talking with Hero. He is saying that he has to leave soon because he works 3rd shift at a local plant. He plays loose pre flop and aggressive post flop. Hasn't shown a bluff yet. He has $500.

Hero: Young male. Has been the most aggressive at the table but hasn't shown any bluffs. Covers table.

V1 raises to $25 UTG. Folds to V2 who calls in late position. Folded to Hero in the BB who calls with 54. I called because I figured V1 has a strong hand and if I get the right flop I can get her stack. I was not too concerned about V2 calling because he had been playing a lot of hands in position.

Flop ($80ish): 45A Hero is first to act (Optimal play.... lead or check?). Hero decides to check. V1 bets $60 and V2 sorta insta-raises to $140. Hero decides to just call the $140 hoping to bring V1 along with something like Ax or TT-KK with a diamond. I think V1 has been tight enough where she might fold TT-QQ with a diamond if Hero 3-bets flop. V1 shoves and V2 calls. Hero.............???

If my math is correct, Hero has to call about $635 to win something like $1,300...?

Comments on all streets are appreciated.

Check fold on flop. You're in terrible shape. As played, fold. V1 probably has top set and V 2 could have flopped a flush. You're probably drawing dead. No need to get over invested with bottom two on a monochrome board.
Preflop, I'm ok w seeing a flop with low suited connectors but this is not your flop. run.

Fold. You are against sets and flushes. At best A with a big diamond. Bottom two is awful against this range.


Masta--

You're likely deep enough to call PF OOP, but it's close and I'd prefer a fold. I think PF is a small mistake.

OTF I'm donking 60%ish pot.

As played I prefer a fold the first time around. The second time the action hits you I think this is an easy fold. With stronger reads and a deep BR this you could continue.

I am inclined to agree. In many ways this is the worst possible flop for you, because it tricks you into thinking you have a shot.

We have two low cards in very early position and the flop helps everyone.

Our problem is this - if we put $25 in a bunch of pots trying to flop gin, it adds up really fast.

And if we do this with little cards we are giving a big edge to everyone else who has bigger cards, which is basically everyone.

And if we do this in early position, we are giving a big edge to everyone who has position on use, which is literally everyone.

Save this approach for bigger cards and better position. At least then we have a fighting chance of making a +ev play out of a +ev hand.

the action went bet-raise-coldcall-3b all in-call, the player who 3b all in is knitting at the table, and you have like the 93rd nuts -> fold