Something I often wonder is whether or not I should bet a high two pair or trips no low when facing a man who is showing 3 low cards.

I believe that if he has 3 consecutive low cards and showed any speed earlier, or if he has 3 of the same suit and 3 low cards, I should probably check first to act.

But if he is showing 3 low cards that have gaps or a gap and was calling me down, what then?

If I bet, then on the simplest level of thinking I am only betting in this situation when I have 2 pair or trips, which the other player will know if they are smart enough.

If I check, then I am balanced/the strength of my hand can be as little as a pair but I lose value from someone who might pay if they did make 2 pair. I tend to find if they didn't raise at any point I was betting my high hand, they need a card, which can often mean they have a paired low card, which can often turn to worse 2 pair or trips On the other hand, their 4 low cards can be a gutshot straight draw and they are drawing to beat me.

I also have to ask do I vary my action depending on trips or two pair in my hand? As mentioned, they can make trips, so if I have 2 pair, that's another way to lose.

Its a tricky situation and I'm not going to answer it entirely - but I will say this: when villain makes a little two pair it seems like he can comfortably fold against your current strategy

I would only do it vs someone who is passive and constantly checking back baby two pairs and not raising lows enoughs.

At least with two pair. Trips are different since you beat more hands.

In case anybody wondered, I'm talking about acting first.

If I'm acting last I think betting is less questionable

i don't want to assume too much about your play or strategy but the distinct lack of mention about blockers might be the one of the biggest things here.

stud 8 is way too nuanced not to include that as part of your river decision making.

Also I believe my action should veer towards bet more frequently when my two pair/trips is hidden.

I feel as well if I only have a buried one pair but showing 3 or 4 low cards not containing ace (eg [KK]4-7-Q-8[A]), in a 1v1 situation I should also be inclined to bet more because a man with 1 pair like 7s or 8s or accidental 99-QQ should be calling based on high frequency I would have a low only hand.

Obv everything is highly situational but I want to know if I am barking up the right tree

Quite simply, if I have trip kings heads up against someone with 3 low cards, I'm betting the river. Most of the time you're going to chop. Sometimes you are going to win it right there because they missed their draw or you are going to get called/raised with two small pair or aces up. It is of course possible, and happens frequently that low draws make small straights. When that happens you're going to pay them off. The idea should be that you know which blockers you have, you notice which cards are out, and you see what they started with on third and paid close attention to the action. Yet, regarding the action, it happens all the time that the low gets locked up two of three handed and they start raising like crazy. With one side locked up there is no risk and putting in an extra raise either representing the straight or drawing to one is a good feeling.