This was a live hand in a northern California cardroom at 1-2-2 NL. For those unfamiliar with the 3 blind structure, BTN posts 1, SB and BB both post 2, and the bring-in is 4. 9-handed.

A little background on villain. I had been at the table with him for about an hour, and I had already seen him make a $100 all-in call with A9s preflop, make a hero call on the river with bottom pair (he held T2o that hand), and generally bet whenever he sensed the slightest weakness. A few hands before the one in question, though, he had folded JJ face-up to a four-bet from me (I had AA that hand) preflop. So, I think he may have been steaming a little from that.

Now, the hand in question: I have about $230 in the CO and villain has about $250 UTG.

Preflop: Hero has 54

Villain opens for $4 before getting cards. MP and HJ call. Hero calls. BTN raises to $15. UTG (Villain) calls, HJ folds. Hero calls. Pot: $58

Flop: 556

Villain checks. Hero bets $30. BTN folds. UTG (Villain) calls. Pot: $118

Turn: 5568

Villain checks. Hero bets $50. Villain raises all-in. Hero???

This guy is an idiot, you're getting 44624-1 and you have 3 of a kind. What else are you going to do other than call?

Just snap already

Anyone check back on the turn?

no, b/c all day

Regardless of what actually happened in this hand, I'm sure that given your description that your play of bet/calling is a good one.

I think leading the flop is bad.

How often on that board texture does the BTN not cbet that board? He always cbets it.

Let BTN bet, let the fishy UTG player act, then you can play poker and decide what to do.

One of the most frequent leaks I see players make is doing something unorthodox with a strong hand, when a more standard and typical line is likely superb.

As the hand played out, call.

Snap it... you have 95 in it and you started hand w. 200 ish.. and if he made the straight you're about 30% to improve unless hes already made his boat. Villian is LAG and probablly puts you on an over pair by the way you played that hand, if that's the case that line he took would be easy to get you to fold.

Thanks guys. I did call, and villain had 74o. River was a blank. I just needed a sanity check.