This is a tough hand from a deep 1/3 hand: basically my nightmare scenario of getting a medium-premium in the SB with deep stacks against an aggressive LAG.

Game is very aggressive and a number of players make huge overbets for both bluffs and value. I have a LAG image, but playing tight tonight but V might not know.

BTN straddle is on ($6)

I limp in the SB (which I do with my entire range in this spot), BB calls, loose passive in UTG+1 opens to $25. V 3-bets to $80. Folds to me.

V is a thinking LAG, can be very aggressive at times but not a maniac. He has $1k and I cover him.

Hero?

I call, everyone else folds. Should this be a fold? Or 4-bet? It just feels like a terrible spot to me.

(190) Flop 9d6d4c

I check, LP bets $150. I call.

(490) Ts

I check, LP bets $300. Hero? At this point, I only beat his bluffs and the pot is truly massive.

Hero?

Thoughts on all streets appreciated. I really hate how I played it (super passively), but worry that a more aggressive play is asking to get stacked.

Where is V on the table?

HJ

Kay, thanks. Obviously button straddle and action starting with you changes things but here’s my take. First off, I don’t think limping your entire range is good strat in this format. I would probably wanna be raising a range of something like 88+/AJs+, depending on table dynamics.

AP, this is admittedly a gross spot. I think mixing in a 4! sometimes pre doesn’t have to be committing to your stack like you think. But you’re often going to get called and be OOP in a bloated pot. I would flat the 3! here sometimes for sure AP.

This isn’t a bad flop to x/raise and see if you take it down there, but the times you’re called are going to be basically surrendered after the flop.

Similar spot on the turn. V can have a few hands that you’re ahead of, but more often you’re behind here imo. If V is a smart lag then even the hands you’re ahead of have reasonable to good equity against your hand.

It’s basically a fold or shove spot to me on the turn, and I think fold is generally going to be best.

I would need a pretty solid soul read to shove turn, but I think x/raise flop will win you this hand sometimes.

You should expect this line from V in 3! pots (if they’re a good lag as you say) almost every single time you play a hand this passively OOP too, as a side note.

One further thought actually. If you’re going to fold turn on bricks or not x/raise flop, simply folding flop saves you $150. Hard to ask for a better turn then you got really and you be expecting another barrel coming at you 80%+ on the turn.

I don't think limping here is good at all. Kinda seems like you're playing with scared money tbh.

What are you worried that villain shows up with here? T9, sets, and QQ+, maybe a 3! With 78s? Seems mubsy. Super leet lags aggressively bet draws too, right?

Definitely raise pre. C/R or CRAI flop are both options.

Agree that turn is shove it fold. I'm probably shoving but could see validity of a fold.

My limping strategy here is specifically to get information on what everyone else does first and try to ensure I can 3-bet my premiums.

If I raise, I guarantee the result at this game is I get 4-5 callers and end up playing a massive pot in the worst possible position—with a face-up range. I'm much happier limping and then either calling or reraising depending on action (I'll often limp/rr something like A4s to take down a nice pot).

How exactly is playing a huge pot multiway from the worst possible position a good spot?

Preflop, I think I should have 4-bet. The problem is it's very hard to find a size which simultaneously gives him poor odds to continue with hands like AQs but *doesn't* commit me. What size would you 4-bet to?

On the flop, I definitely have to at least call. He's c-betting his entire 3-bet range (TT+, AJ+) and I'm still ahead. However, I think a lot of these are actually one-and-done. With a hand like AKo/AQo I expect him to check back and try to hit the river. I think he only continues with his strongest draws (AdKd, AdQd, AdJd, KdQd) and made hands.

x/r the flop is definitely interesting hand. It potentially gets me to showdown cheaply while folding out hands like 2 overs. I hadn't really considered that. What sizing would you choose?