1/2 game

V in this hand has been pretty quiet and suddenly opens to $20 with about $250 behind, Hero covers and calls on BTN with 33. Heads up.

Flop K97 2 clubs

V checks
H bets 25
V calls

Turn Qs

Check, check

River 3h.

V bets 35

QUESTIONS:


1) Do we just fold our hand PF even though we have position? Why or why not? I think an argument could be made either way. If we go by the 10x rule, then a call seems ok.

2) Is it better to just check back the flop or bet to fold out worse hands like 1010- QQ? AQ, etc? Often when a player suddenly opens to 20 with no limpers is signifies a hand they "hate" like a big pair and sometimes AK. The line he took with this hand felt more like AK, yet I think is opening range is often more big pairs, so its weird.

3) OTR as played are we ever not raising this for value? Bottom set is basically only beating AK but again his line to me is so passive if feels more like AK than KK or QQ. I am not considering KQ because I just don't see people opening to 20 very often with than hand (except me sometimes).

1) I think you met enough criteria to make this call ok. There's the 10x rule, there's the fact that he's been quiet which means his massive raise indicates a strong and narrow range (so if we hit we can be assured of action), and we have position which means we can guarantee money goes in on every street.

2) I don't mind a bet here but I think a lot of the time we get c/c if V has QQ-TT. I think it depends on how he plays post flop. If he's sticky, then take the free card. If he's fit or fold, take a stab.

3) yeah this is a weird spot. I actually think it feels more like KK/QQ because I don't see how AK/AA checks this flop. But would KK/QQ bet so small OTR? I think I'm leaning towards just calling because the K and Q should nail his PFR range, but you could always go $70/f.

1. With no better read on villain this is OK either calling or folding. Villain's bet sizing is in the sweet spot where it's easy to stack him post flop if he has an over pair but you would like to know that he always has the big pair and will over play it in this situation.

2. I don't much like the flop bet. The only hand likely to fold to one bet is AQ, his middle pairs are unlikely to give up on the flop.

3. Very odd bet. I'm thinking just call. If it is a blocking bet he won't call a raise and if it's a badly sized value bet or straight suck bet then KQ is the only likely hand you beat.

This whole hand is a situation where I would love to have a better read on villain. The answer to all 3 questions will vary by villain and that makes this hard to play without some sort of read on villain.