Results:


River ($642) Q 8 3 10 6

Villain takes a second then bets $375.

I go into the tank and ponder my options, and can't shake the fact that it feels like he has so many things that have my one pair beat. It doesn't take long for me to decide that I'm not raising here - I'm either going to call him, or fold. So I leave the tank, turn to him, smile, and say "you really called me with Jack Nine"?

He gets a slight grin on his face, but doesn't say anything, or move much otherwise. I debate a little more, then fold my A A face up.

He mentions something about knowing that's what I had, and kindly tables 9 8 as he scoops the pot


So his pre-flop call makes perfect sense; On the flop he called with middle pair and a back-door flush draw. On the turn he picked up a gut-shot straight draw and lead out, and on the river I guess he's either repping the flush or a straight? Maybe he would have given up on the river it if wasn't a spade, J, 9, or 8?

Mostly he seemed to read me for the type of hand I had, and that I'd be able to let it go. I guess he was right!


In retrospect I should have realized his range was more bluff-heavy than value-heavy, and it wasn't a particularly bad price to find out.

I think what also played a factor was that I had recently had a string of losing sessions, and was happy to have a winning one that night, so was a bit risk averse in the confusing spot he put me in. I find donk-leads always hard to figure out!

Don't show! Worst part of the hand.

In retrospect, I think my biggest mistake was the flop sizing. I think that gave away my holding, and its vulnerability, more than anything else.