I usually play limit but this casino only plays NL so wanted to get the board's opinion on this hand.

2/5NL, villain 1 seems like a rec player who plays random but is a bit loose. villain 2 is a decent TAG who has not gotten out of line in the 1.5 hours that I have been playing at the table. i think our stacks were all around 500.

villain 1 limps, villain 2 pops to 20, i am on the btn with AJ. I call, villain 1 calls.

Flop is 9/2/6, rainbow. Gets cked around.

Turn is an offsuit J, villain 1 bets 30, 2 insta raises to 90. call or fold here?

I think you should bet 45 on the flop since it was checked to you and expect to take it down right there or at least discover why V2 quieted down so quick.

This is a fold against described tight "not out of line" V2. Often it will be a set of 9s that he thought was so sneaky to not c-bet on the flop.


Important detail - Did the turn card bring a flush draw in or complete the rainbow? I don't think it matters much when weighing V2's range, but these details in general are important for hand histories.

Honestly, this is pretty close pre if he really is tight. If I call I'm looking to flop diamonds.

Flop check behind is fine. turn is a clear fold. You don't know what V1 is doing, and even if he flats, you have no idea whats going on with the river.

easy fold

if you raise you will not be called by worse

if you call, V1 could still raise or if he doesn't, you will possibly face a large river bet from V2

I think call pre is fine with a hand like that. You CAN take a stab at flop, but if he raises I am folding as now I have to put him on an overpair.

As played, I think you have to fold the turn. Again he is basically saying he has AA or KK. There are no other draws out there. Fold and get him next time.

Pre is fine with the fish in the hand and position on both, however you'll have to be willing to take advantage of your position and make moves postflop in good spots like this one where the PFR has shown weakness. I would've bet the flop, but as played you're chopping at best with AJ and chances are the PFR flopped a set with the line that he's taking.

I don't see how he has Aa/kk????

Pre flop raise? 3 bet turn? Likely an attempt to c/r on the flop? Its an obvious overpair or perhaps a set of 9s

I would put money up that this is not AA or KK. If it is, the villain is a terrible player. There is no reason for him to slam on the brakes on that flop with that hand.

Huck, if you are playing AA and KK like that, then really think about why. (hint: there is no reason why)

This. Easy call IMO.

AA, KK, QQ and JJ must be discounted (but not eliminated.)

...for those who wish to continue some ranges please?

would also be helpful to know if any BD flush draws developed

There is also no reason for him to "slam on the brakes" with a flopped set, but you think he could very easily have been doing that. So if you think he's capable of showing up with 99 here, then he should also be capable of showing up with AA/KK.

Anyway, the point is this is a fold.

Part of it depends on position of v1/v2. We know v2 has position on v1, but that's all. V1 could be UTG but V2 UTG+1 or CO or anywhere in between; Or V1 could be MP and V2 CO/etc. Also tough cause only playing 1.5 hrs doesn't tell us alot.

If pressed I give V2 a range of 99/AJ/KJ/QJ/JT here.

OP, I think I need some more reads before I decide:

1. Have you seen V2 slowplay any hands prior? If so, this makes 99 more likely in his range and to a lesser extent JJ+.
2. How do expect V2 to play top pairs in this spot? If he missed the flop with JT, QJ, KJ, or AJ, would you expect him to raise or call V1's lead?
3. Did the turn bring a BD flush draw? If so, have you seen V2 be aggresive with any draws? If he has then KQ, KT, QT, T8, 87, 75, and AX suited need to be considered in his range and tilt this spot towards a call.

Nonetheless, his instaraise is more likely to be a slowplayed hand waiting to bet/raise or a quick reaction to making top pair than a draw. I agree with others that this is a great spot to bet OTF to pickup the pot. Your opponents have rep'ed that they missed with checking, while your range is undefined with a bet.

Thanks guys for the responses. Some more info:

reason I didnt bet the flop was because v1 has tended to make some weird moves when people cont bet on the turn and i thought he would not fold easily. I have seen him ck raise light here once and i did not think a bet would win the pot enough to make it +ev.

v1 was in mp and v2 was mp+1.

i havent really seen v2 slowplay, he seemed to be playing very snug and the only hands he has shown down have been winners. but i have only been at the table for a few hours so really going off of few reads.

will post results later.

Based on this I think I would just take his raise at face value and fold OTT.

So on a 9 high flop the opener checks. What does he have? Its pretty big i would say.

I fold and yawn here.

I wouldnt flat pre either unless there was a unique dynamic happening. I would 3 bet though as my overall gameplan has tons of 3 betting in it. (And not because i think i have the best hand at all, as you dont need the best hand)

if he hasn't gotten out of line then no reason to change your game plan against him now.

call pre is marginal

I fold especially after it being chckd thru...if they show up with tp weird kicker congrats take note.

And i def opt for a 3bet pre here