1/2 local casino.

Hero: Mid 30s asian, looks 20. Arrived at the table not long ago after hearing about Villain from regs at previous table. Sitting on a $500 stack from turning a full house vs. another V that flopped the nut flush. Probably viewed as a loose but competent. Clearly an online player due to use of a PokerStars card protector. Recently got caught 3betting light with K4s in LP vs. a fish that raised ATC. Got called by BB but board came A44 and Hero's trips held.

Villain: Late 40s asian. Has yet to be involved in a hand with Hero, but known to most regs as a gambly aggro whale. Regularly runs a $200 BI up to $1000 but gives it all back just as quickly. $450 stack.

On to the hand.

V limps UTG, UTG+1 limps, folds to Hero in CO. Hero raises to $12 with J8, folds to V who calls, UTG+1 calls.

Flop ($39): A5J

V donks $15, UTG+1 folds, Hero calls.

V most likely has an weak Ace or a mid PP, but a strong Ace is also possible. V could also be trying to set his own price for a gutshot draw (KQ, KT, K9, QT, Q9) or a flush draw. Less likely, he could also be trying to induce a raise with a monster like AJ or 55. Hero isn't putting V on AA or JJ since he limp/called pre flop. Hero's plan is to float the flop and take the pot away on the turn if V checks. Flush draw equity is probably only of secondary importance at this point.

Turn ($69): 8

V checks, Hero bets $50, V calls and checks dark.

Hero decided to make a solid value bet to represent a strong Ace, expecting to get called by a strong Ace, and possibly an OESD or FD. Board is starting to get wet, so we are hoping that AJ and sets turn their hands face-up by raising. Checking the river dark is a little fishy though -- is this a made hand slow playing?

River ($169): 9

Hero thinks this is an excellent card. It completes the straight draw but also gives Hero the 3rd nuts. If V had a made hand on the turn, Hero is now winning.

V checked dark after the turn, Hero bets $100, V shoves $373 more.

*GRUNCH* Hero is thinking the only logical hands here are KQ, K10, and Q10, but those are only 3 combinations. V could well be turning any number of weaker made hands into a bluff. Could V show up with a ridiculous Kx or Qx of spades?

Hero goes into the tank for several minutes, trying to get a read on V. Hero asks V: "What the F could you possibly raise me with on the river?". V replies: "What did you bet for? I already checked dark for you on the river! All you needed to do was check back! Tell you what, take back your $100 and give me the pot."

Is this the "nuts" speech, or is V trying to goad Hero into folding the better hand?
Did Hero make any major missteps on previous streets or on the river?

If V is gambly aggro whale, do you think he would raise or limp those 3 combinations? V limped what makes you think V cant do this with smaller flush? I dont aggro V checks in the dark on the river with a hand like KsQs, KsTs, QsTs. I'd call that mother****er

Take your hundred back and give him the pot.

Raise the flop, turn sizing fine. I prob call it off.

I like your line but not your read.

Why does hero think this V can only have 3 flushes, all better than yours?

Based on your read, why can't he have all kinds of flushes with random suited pre-flop hands?

76s, 64s, T7s, etc.

Also tons of more Kxs and Qxs.

You say the guy is a gambly whale, then you range him on flushes made possible only by 3 fairly strong pre-flop suited hands? I don't get it at all.

I don't like raising the flop since we have such strong showdown value - it's not a great value raise against V's continuing range, and, facing a 3-bet, cramming 225BB in on the flop can't be good (of course, we would get it in vs thus V, but it's a terrible spot). A raise is even worse as a bluff - literally expect this V to fold nothing better. Calling is best.

As played, I would definitely call... but I don't love it.

And again, I don't get your read at all or why you've written off all sorts of other hands like, say, 76s, a super obvious hand in this V's range. To answer your question, I think your hand reading is the major misstep in the hand though I still like the way you played it as long as you called. It's a bit of a sigh call, but it is a call.

This. Looking back, I probably out-thinked myself here. Spoilers in next post.

All of this, except I'm pretty much loving it when villain shoves and snap-calling. A whale has any two spades in his range in this spot. Against that range, we're a slight favorite and getting ~2:1. And I'd actually discount some stronger spades like KQs, KTs and QTs as he may raise those hands PF.

IMO this card and the action are meaningless. And, since villian's PF range is so wide, we need to solve for the flop and river plays.

The river completed both the flush draw and a backdoor straight draw. Being a whale, his play is consistent with any QT but also KT of spades. I don't think his play is consistent with medium strength hands like 2 pairs, but they shouldn't be ruled out. Being a whale, this probably isn't a 3 street bluff.

The speech is just calling you out for being a pussy not willing to ship. Whether it's a level is unclear.

I think he's more likely to have a flush than a straight, and being a whale, it's hard to tell whether his flush is better than yours. What would Johnny Chan do? Toss a chip, say "call," stand up and beat the dealer to the pot.

I will just say this. Had spots 2x last session where someone checked dark on 2 card flush boards and both times they had the flush draw. I've seen it many many times over the past few months of playing 100hrs+ per month

EDIT: Didn't realize you posted the results haha