sorry to keep doing these "checking" hands but ttytt some of these checking spots are kind of new territory to me.

same villain in both hands, #2 followed #1 on the next orbit.

I have no stats and no reads except hand #1. He wasn't loose but I don't really know anything about him. Villain had KJo in #1.

I picked up a double gutter turn but was more or less thinking my hand was a pot control hand before that anyway so was planning to check just about anything - that ok here?


Hand #1
Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

BB: $37.85
UTG: $49.25
CO: $36.60
Hero (BTN): $48.75
SB: $28.65

Pre Flop: Hero is BTN with 7 7
2 folds, Hero raises to $2, SB calls $1.75, 1 fold

Flop: ($4.50) 5 9 6 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $3, SB calls $3

Turn: ($10.50) 4 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($10.50) 9 (2 players)
SB bets $8, Hero calls $8



This is the one I have the question on.

Since he already saw me c/c once (and he played big cards) I'm a little concerned about my kicker after calling twice on dry A flop. I don't think he's just dumping off his chips because waiting for blinds + my first orbit he'd had a low stack and seemed to be sort of careful with it.


Hand #2
Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

UTG: $36.85
MP: $52.25
CO: $51.50
BTN: $33.30
Hero (SB): $57.95
BB: $21.35

Pre Flop: Hero is SB with A 6
4 folds, Hero raises to $2, BB calls $1.50

Flop: ($4.00) 9 2 A (2 players)
Hero bets $3, BB calls $3

Turn: ($10.00) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $6, BB calls $6

River: ($22.00) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $10.35 all in, Hero ...

At the turn the effective remaining stacks are $16 with a $10 pot, so any turn bet is committing your stack.
Given that, either check the turn, or bet more than 60% of pot.

When he calls your flop c-bet, his range is heavily weighted towards an ace -- he cant call with overcards here, but I guess K9 is possible.
Since you have a rather weak ace, I prefer checking the turn, and see what he does. If he bets full pot, I'm probably giving up. If he bets less, I think it's close between a fold and a check/raise all-in.

As played, you have to call the river, since you played it this way to get him to bluff worse hands on the river; I don't really like my chances, but you only have to be right 1 times in 4 to make a call profitable.

Awkward stack sizes here, given that it's a dry ass flop, BvB and you are either way ahead or way behind I don't mind not cbetting here. If stacks go in your weak ace is almost never good (if you are the bettor), and because it's BvB he'll likely bet a ton of crap if you check to him.

If the flop goes check, check then I'd probably start to look for value on the turn.

hand 1 is played well

hand 2 I check the turn, let him hang himself if hes floating and if hes not you dont really care about the free card, as its helping you way more than hurting you (either cuz you need it, or because you both hit on the river). You can also just check the flop too since the board is so dry and if he doesnt have any ace he prolly just folds, so you can let him catch up a bit. Given the way it was played, I really dunno what you beat on the river, I mean there arent really any draws, so hes gotta have like JT or T9 or some ******edly played 44 or something. But given hes a donkey its prolly close enough given the odds you are getting that it doesnt really matter that much. I prolly just call for the experience since it seems like you are still trying to get a feel for what people have in these spots, and not feel terrible if I lose, and use it for future decisions

1st hand: I never check this turn. Bet.

As played Im kind of lost on the river. Prob. neutral ev either way. He could have a nine or slowplayed a set. But im calling in this spot most of the time.

2nd hand: Where you checking to induce a bluff? I call in this spot too.