Playing a full 9 handed 1/2 300 Max game. I had $425 in front (up $225 on the day). Villian was also up and had about $400 in front.Table was tight/passive, a lot of limping pre and folding to bets on the flop or by the turn using standard agression. Villian liked to call with top pair weak kicker and bet with top pair good kicker, never raised when raised or even when clearly ahead.

Scenerio:
Villian was UTG and limped, lowjack and button also limp. I am in the SB and have 108 (❤). I limp and the BB checks 5 to the flop which comes:

986 (Rainbow)

I check, BB checks, Villian Bets $10.
Lowjack calls, button folded, I call, BB folds. The river comes a Q(Spades). Board reads:

986Q(two spades)

I come out firing for $40. Villian calls (quickly, but timidly), low jack folds (begrudgingly)

The river card is a 4. Board reads:

986Q4

I take a moment and count out my bet of $75 and push it forward. Villian counts out the money to call goes into the tank, but then calls. busting my bluff with top two pair (Q9). Interesting side note, Lowjack also said he had top two. Admittley, I did not think she had top two, I believed she had flopped top pair. Something like A9, K9 or J9 and she would fold to pressure.

I know I limped in when I probably should of raised pre, but given that I am curious to know was that a poorly executed bluff? Should/Could I have waited for a better spot? Or did I pick a decent spot and not bet enough? Would a larger betting size have worked? Finally, should I be looking to bluff in these low stakes game? 7What are some better spots overall. I am not looking for validation only looking to get better. Your thoughts?

Welcome to the forums! Don't post results in your hand history, as it can influence the feedback that you receive.

I'm fine with completing from the SB, and flop check/call is pretty standard. I think the hand starts to go sideways OTT. You're usually behind OTT 3-ways, and you've added some equity by turning a double -gutter. I think turn is a check/call and check/evaluate river unimproved. With both of your straight draws being one card straights if you hit the river, I wouldn't mind leading river when you do hit, to deny your opponents the ability to check it through and get to showdown. If you do want to take an aggressive line OTT, I prefer a check-raise as opposed to a lead.

I like the idea, but I hate your sizing. If you had JT, you would want to bet smaller on the turn to keep in hands like 87, T9, J9. It also looks weak when you pot turn and then bet 60% on the river. If you had just done two thirds pot on both streets, I would like it a lot better.

Fold flop. the pot is tiny, and you have very little chance of winning it. You're also in the worst position the rest of the hand.

Regarding the bluff...I don't like it. Basically you're asking the villain to fold a 9. I'm not sure he's got a lot of bare 9's when he flats your $40 on the turn. that's a serious increase in bet sizes relative to other bets in this hand.

You're saying you have a very strong hand, and he still called. He's planning to call river.

I think your bluff folds out 97 and maybe T9. Everything else still calls.

I don't love bloating pots like this after liming in the small blind, I just generally flat out avoid bluffing these spots into multiple players. When you DO hit a straight you can fire away and hope someone can call.

If you are wanting to bluff, I think you rep J10 pretty hard really. Turn can be a lil smaller, maybe only 30 instead of 40, then 70 on the river. Doesn't really affect the outcome in this situation, but still.

with all the cards coordinated like that it isnt a good time to be betting weak or bluffing. someone has to have something and in small games they like to call. that is what they are there for.

Pre is good. Flop is good. Turn is either a x/c or x/f depending on bet size. Our hand is too strong to want to turn into a bluff, but we don't have too much fold equity on this board texture against villain's perceived range.

If we wanted to bluff, then the best plan of attack would be to x/r flop, barrel turn and barrel river.