After 500 hands, villain is 38/17/1.6, with 39% WTSD, 52% W$SD. Only note I have on them is that they fold their BB way too often BvB, which is not pertinent to this hand. Despite the history, I don't yet have any sense of their flop donking range.

Merge - $0.25/$0.50 (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

SB: $15.42
BB: $16.15
UTG: $9.25
CO: $14.55
Hero (BTN): $18.25

SB posts SB $0.10, BB posts BB $0.25

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero has 9 Q

fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.50, SB calls $0.40, fold

Flop: ($1.25, 2 players) J Q 4
SB bets $0.25, Hero calls $0.25

(I thought about raising here, but I really do want to merge my value and peeling ranges when facing a donk on the flop, especially when I don't have any read on what it means for this particular villain.)

Turn: ($1.75, 2 players) 3
SB bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50

River: ($2.75, 2 players) 3
SB bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1.00

I was trying out an idea I got from philnewall's book: that we want to get an extra bet on a big street with top pair, and that we are less likely to get reraised (unless really crushed) on the river than on the turn, where semibluffs can put us to tough decisions.

Sensible play, or FPS?

I like the way the hand was played. My style has me raising the flop, but I understand what your reasoning behind the call. I don't like waiting for the River to put in a raise. There are so many times when you just shouldn't. But in this case, I don't mind. I think the paired 3 is a sensible card to get that extra BB in on. NH.

I think raise the turn cuz I don't think you get the extra bet out of him on the river when they have busted draws - worst case he could c/f his busted draw otr.

otoh, after 500 hands and without a pf SB cold call range or any flop donk reads, I might just call down to see what he's up to...

raise the turn. why you wanna wait until you're behind to raise? top pair is a monster HUHU ya know.

also you're never folding to a semibluff/3! on the turn.

I like it a lot.

In no limit, there's a concept of "let him keep firing". Donkers out of position seem to me to be a good candidate for this line.

I like your thinking, we really need to raise at some point, and i would prefer to pop the turn. there is a chance he will opt to c/c the river with a weak hand, if that is what he is donking. PP, A4, Jx, that kind of thing.

wtr to getting 3-Bet... I dont play on merge, but vs a random dude at stars with these kind of stats, it's unusual to see a b/rr on the turn with a draw. you're getting ~8:1 if he does 3!, so just count your outs and see if you have enough to call. Dont forget that a J, 4, 3 counterfeit some 2-pair hands. i would do the numbers myself but i need some sleep

raise turn

Agree

I raise the turn. By raising the turn, we probably get called by worse Q's, J's, flush draws, and (insert whatever else into his value donking/not folding range).
While this is true, I don't have that much experience seeing a 3 barrel with total air here--if that's a play in villains repretiore, I think you'd have see it in 500 hands.

Also, you mention he's a bit foldy in bvb...you think he'd be able to get away from a worse hand on the turn whereas he wouldn't if you go ahead and rz the flop?

*G*

I'm def getting my raise in earlier. Either flop or turn (turn if his agg indicates a likelihood of firing again on turn).