Hero and villain both fairly new to OFC. Villain is first, and sets:

Top - none
Middle - 5d 7s 8s
Bottom - Jc Ac

Hero pulls: 8d 6s 4s 2c 2h

Sets as follows:

Top - none
Middle - 6s 4s
Bottom - 2c 2h 8d

With villain having 8s 7s, putting my suited one-gapers on the bottom seems like a bad idea. Too many flush and straight outs already dead. But I don't like having such a low pair down there either. I considered this:

Top - none
Middle - 4s 2c 2h
Bottom - 8d 6s

Then hoping for 2-pair or trips on bottom to cover weak 2-pair in middle to cover FL options up top if big cards come.

Other options for hero? Best set here? Why... Reasoning and supporting math if any.

I think there is plenty to criticize about V's set, but I'm more interested in Hero's options with V's cards as played.

Vs set is pretty bad again. I don't think 86o is a strong enough bottom to set the pair in the middle. would set this one 228/64.

I would put the 8 in middle here but I think it's close. Agree villain is bad but his hand is hard to set. Not sure what I like for villain

78/A5/J. 46ss/228 is going to foul a lot.

When you say 228/64, which side of the slash is top, middle and bottom? Not familiar with this format... Many thanks.

228 bottom/46 middle/nothing on top

Got it - thanks!

I would try 87/AJ5 for villain. For hero I really don't like the dead 8 kicker with a ten and nine available. 22/864 is my play