Hero: Perceived by Villain as very strong, thinking player. Hero is known to make moves. Recent hand from another session involved Hero snapping off Villain with Ace-high on scary board after Hero's bet-bet-check/call line. Losing image for the night.
Villain: Thinking player but not spectacular. Not sure if he would turn medium-strength hands into bluffs but could. Will get it in with air if he senses weakness.
***
7 handed, 5-5 uncapped, Effective Stacks are $500.
Hero (UTG+1) has A
J
Hero raises to $25, CO calls, Villain (BTN) calls.
Flop ($75):
J
9
4
Hero bets $45, CO folds, Villain calls.
Turn ($165):
J
9
4
8
Hero bets $105, Villain tank calls.
thoughts: Not a great turn and I plan to bet/fold. I think I can get value from worse Jacks and pair+draw hands such as JT, 9T, 78. I expect him to raise sets on the flop and his stronger holdings on the turn, generally, so I don't think I'm bet/folding the best hand very often.
River ($370):
J
9
4
8
K
Hero checks, Villain bets $215, Hero ???
thoughts: I think betting here is way too thin - I don't think I get looked up by QJ or JT very often and KJ is now ahead. Plan is to check and let him bet his missed-draws and medium-strength hands. I guess the main issue here is whether he's going to turn a hand like JT or 9T into a bluff here. I see weak players check back hands as strong as KJ/KQ here, but I don't think villain would do that.
Once he bets I think his range is something like: KJ, 9T, 78 and sometimes slowplayed QT, 2 pairs. Could also have complete air but I think he has some equity with the way he tanked on turn. Could possibly have KQ?? Thoughts?