Live 5-5

BTN straddles 10
SB calls 10
BB calls 10
UTG folds
UTG+1 calls 10
HJ Known Whale calls 10 (5k stack, 100k watch)
MP TAG Hero raises to 70 with AcKcKdQd (2k stack)
CO folds
BTN calls 70 (1k stack)
SB folds
BB folds
UTG+1 folds
HJ calls 70

This is the first time I’ve played with the whale. Other regs said he’s massive action. He won a $40k pot a couple nights ago in the same 5-5 game with the nut flush against some pro’s J-high flush ($13k river bet).

Today, he’s been playing most (but not all) of his hands. He’s been calling with every draw. He’s been overplaying hands. But I’ve never seen him get out of line or bluff.

Pot 240

Flop Tc3c3s

HJ leads for 100
Hero calls
BTN folds

Pot 440

Turn 9c

HJ quickly bets 300
Hero tanks, then calls

Pot 1,040

River 8h

HJ excitedly reaches for big chips, then bets 500

Hero?

Given the fact a pro was willing to stack off with J high flush for heaps and you’ve described him as a huge whale, I think you need to call down here.

There is a small chance he has worse for value like trips or flush.

My gut reaction was to fold the turn. But then I thought, "Maybe he flopped trips and turned a small flush. Or maybe he just has trips that he's betting for value."

I don't see how you can call - what could he even have? There's no natural bluffs for him, you block the nut and 2nd nut flush, and the bottom of your range is probably a strong flush. If he's playing like 80% of his hands he has all the 3x, TT more so then your average player so overall would fold.

Agree with this. This one I pay.

Call it off, and like if you lose who cares you want to give the whale action.

A full array of Poker Tells in one hand .. or maybe not!

A quick bet usually means weak but betting as a scare/show of strength. Quickly grabbing large chips, but then betting small is another show of strength fake, but then decides to block bet his way to a Showdown. It's very possible he just realized you could have TTxx here but couldn't help himself from betting.

Being the first time you've played with v, then I don't think this is a bad price to pay to set the tone of your 'relationship'.

The bet sizing isn't really Whale-ish .. he calls with draws and over-plays value, so we have to assume he thinks he has value here?

1) Weak Flop bet .. had this been done before .. is he just getting a feel for other 3x hands
2) Turn quick bet .. usually on weak side .. hand probably didn't change much, but the bet sizing went way up
3) River pump fake .. who knows?

I think I call this one off and just tell him you had A3 if you're shown a winner. GL

I probably should've been more aware of the fact that in this session, it was early in the day, and he was only two glasses of merlot in. I was trying to make a decision based on what other regs were telling me about his play. But they played with him late at night when he was ten glasses of merlot in.