Hey,

I considered this hand (at the time that I played it) probably one of my moments where I really felt that I played poker beyond the cards. I, however, think I played this sub optimally. Everything postflop I am pretty much ok with, but it's the pf action I think I got wrong.

7 handed 2/5 game. Hero has classic TAG image (probably on the nitty side) and probably is seen as someone moving up after being a 1/2 player for a while. $600 in front.
Villain is a fat black effeminate dude who is a hell of a player and has the guts to make some really good ballsy plays. I have seen him squeeze, raise draws, and generally make some plays that are rather advanced. Probably one of the best players in the room. Covers me.

Hero has T9 OTB, Raises to 20 after cutoff (irrelevent weak drunk fish) limps. Villain is in the BB and makes it 60. I think this is probably a move, and not for value as I have been a little more active IP lately.

I have position, and am pretty ready call barrels if I hit the flop/raise the flop if I miss. However, there are gonna be a lot of scary boards, and the villain can apply a ton of pressure. Is it better to flat this 3bet and try to take it away postflop or is it better to 4bet and end the hand now? How do you deal with suspected resteals from the blinds with medicore holdings?

Personally I'd rather see a flop in position. If your goal is to steal the pot from him you can probably steal a c bet on the flop, too if you think he's FOS most of the time.

Your line will be pretty strong.

Why do you think he is making a move if he has never made one in the past. I just can't assume he is adjusting until i have proof.

until i'm sure he is capable of 3b light after your lp raise, by either seeing a weak holding or noticing that he is doing it pretty frequently, I'd rather just avoid getting involved in marginal situations with one of the best opponents in the room. very easy to level yourself here.

Like I said, I have probably ~750 hands with him live, and his 3bet from the blinds is WAY higher than really any player I have played with. I know internet guys are gonna be like 'LOL sample size' or whatever, but he has definitely made moves from the blinds before and this just seemed to fit that pattern.

And this could be results oriented, but my read was right. He was making a move and I just was wondering if it is better to 4bet and take it down/raise his cbet/bet if checked to on the turn in situations where you have a read that someone is trying to resteal.

make it 150 pre

Given the SPR and how weak our hand is, I'd rather 4bet bluff him ($160/fold to a shove) if I'm going to continue (though fogodchao's point is a good one imo). With a stronger hand like T9s or if stacks were deeper, seeing a flop might be better.

4bet/fold is better imo...would probably just fold unless you want to go to war. The only reason to go to war is if he starts interfering with isolation of the fishy player...doesn't sound like we're there yet.

Fold > 4bet/fold > call.