I'm trying to make a better effort to record hands that I play in my 2/5 NL sessions in order to learn and get other people's perspective. Sometimes they are large pots, sometimes they are relatively tame and I want perspective.

This first one is probably boring, but maybe my bet sizing or river decision could be different.
2/5 NL, 7 handed, sat down at this table relatively recently, bought in for 500.
Villian is 25ish year old asian guy, stack is ~500, i have no reads, though.

I'm in UTG +2, folds to me with AhKs, I raise to 25, button calls.
Flop = AcJh3h (Pot = 57)
I lead out for 30, button calls.
Turn = 3s (Pot = 117)
I bet 55, button calls
River = Jc
What do you do here? I opted to bet 75.

This is a boring hand, but would you consider checking the river to the button here? I haven't been at the table very long and there isn't much of an image of me yet I would presume. I get paid by smaller A's, but folded to flush draws. In a vacuum, I would think it's unlikely villian has J or 3, but that smaller chance is there. Would checking on the river be better, preventing myself from getting raised, sometimes creating an opportunity for villian to bluff or is this line standard unless there is more history on the table with hero or villian?

I'll post more hands if I can get people to respond.

Thanks for the read.

I like betting here. In a vacuum I think most of the flush draws aren't going to try a bluff here, and all of the aces you're getting value from check behind.

I might even make it larger, around 100 or even a bit more. Most of the aces still call and it helps inhibit random bluff-raises.

That might be a good idea, I think 100-120 could get bluff catchers to call off a lot more than the value bettish looking 75 too.

depends on villian, i may check to a guy that seems aggressive... but against random i prefer bet... especially against tighter guy...

I like the $75 dollar price as well

Your bet sizing throughout the whole hand is small. I'd bump it to 40 on the flop and about another 2/3 PSB on the turn. You're targeting a FD that is chasing or a weaker A. They'll call those two streets.

On the river you decided to slow down but not stop. I prefer to check, because I figure I will earn more from bluff catching on the river than the "savings" of making a small bet that I'll have to fold if raised.

Pre looks standard. On the flop, I'd be betting between 40-45. On the turn, I'd bet at least 65, more around the 75ish.

The river is player dependent. If you think V is a calling station, go for maximum value with a large river bet. If you think V would try to bluff you with his missed draws, then check/call a river bet.

as the above two posters have said, use bigger sizing on both the flop and turn. I do like your b/b/b line much more than the b/b/c line, as I expect to get looked up by any ace (and possibly even a missed flush draw hoping to chop), and I expect villains to check behind with most hands we beat.

Sizing I would use
Flop (pot = $50 [taking out rake]) bet: $35-40
Turn (pot = $120-130) bet: $80-90
River (pot = $280-$310) bet/fold $135-$155

Fwiw, I think a lot of posters would gain more value if they thought enough about small hands and posted them. So much leakage happens in things w:

Ep+MP limps+aggro Vraises to 3bb+MP calls+we call from HJ w TJhh+everyone calls.

Flop comes QdTs3h... Checks to V who bets 8bb. Folds to us... Hero ends up folding on flop/turn. No stack off.

Stuff like that happens ALL the time w leaks on usually 1or2 streets. Often people can't answer some detailed game state questions (eg, did you check behind you to see if someone was itching to raise/fold before you acted, was V busy targeting/stomping on any of the initial limpers, etc)

In short, keep the more "insignificant" hands coming. Get smaller and less interesting hands (eg middle pair folds after turn aggression after flop check around)

I'll leave other posters for the hand breakdown.


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I'd rather bet a single $100 chip in this spot.

Like to see bigger on flop, but I could see betting 30 myself. Turn definitely needs to be bigger, 75-85 with your flop bet sizing.

I think if you bet bigger on the turn it would make an easier decision on the river... There aren't a lot of Jx that will continue on that turn to a larger bet size except Jx hearts. Either way, check calling river is a pretty good idea because you will lose a lot less when he has a J or 3 and also induces some bluffing from missed flush draws.... but like you said you lose value on worse Ax hands that will make a crying call on river.... My personal go to move here is check-call but it might be a leak in my game, not entirely sure.

Why do you think flush draws won't bluff here? Not disagreeing I'm just wondering why you think that.