Game is 7 handed, late at night, short handed for a while.

Hero SB early 20s, active, shown some bluffs but players respect value as well.

Villain 1 UTG+1 40s, no reads, fairly passive inactive.

Villain 2 Btn late 20s, smart tight player, has stacked a couple people with big pairs, strong hands.

V1 raise to $8

Villain 2 call on btn

Hero call SB 53

$25 pot to flop

853

Hero check
V1 bet $10
V2 call $10
Hero raise to $35
Call, Call. ($130)

Turn J

Hero bet $55
Call, Call. ($295)

River 6

Hero check, V1 check, V2 bet $110.

I am getting decent price on the end and many draws do brick. I thought he could have 87 , that was my read of situation but I could be over thinking it myself. I thought if he had better made hand before the river that I would have already heard about it.

I call and he shows 97

Thoughts?

I suppose I could have put it together he was on a combo draw of sorts but I am not sure if he would bet A4 there, for example.

Stack sizes would help. I would have bet $125 on turn, your bet is way too small. Your c/r is also way too small. And fold pre.

What are stack sizes? Folding preflop is probably best.

Flop raise isn't big enough. At $35 villains are getting over 3-1 straight odds to call if they only see one card. With two people interested in this pot flush draws are likely and that is way too good. $50 would be better and on this somewhat wet board I would go $60.

Same problem on turn. If your going to bet all it needs to be more then half the pot and probably close to 2/3 with 2 opponents.

The river depends on villains. The $110 could be a bluff or value, you just have to make read and go with it. Keep in mind that most villains won't make a small bluff into two opponents but it is possible if it's clear V1 has given up.

fold pre cantin. Can't be playing that garbage out of position, this isnt the lakeside.

good points boys. my sizing was slightly too small though I could be misremembering exact figures.

I should have made turn bet bigger for sure.

As I'm out of position with just 5 high I suppose folding pre prevents lots of pain

None of us can play this hand profitably out of position.
If we hit anything less than two pair, we can't play it aggressively.
With draws, we pay a lot to chase, and we win little when we do hit.
It's just not a good situation.
Fold preflop.

Even when you make a strong hand, like in this case, you are still setting yourself up for potential big losses.
The river is a tough situation.
Villain almost certainly has you beat since he is betting over two players.
He knows one of you is going to call.
And he is not value betting with less.

Your river call is consistent with the hand.
But I feel it's all wrong.

--CM