Hi guys,

Played a hand tonight and I'm not sure I played it quite right.

I tried using the hand converter but it didn't seem to work, so I've converted it by hand, hopefully it's clear.

$0.02/$0.05 Blinds No Limit Holdem

Total number of players : 3
SB: ( $5.83 )
BB (Hero) ( $6.91 )
Button ( $5.05 )

SB posts small blind [$0.02]
BB posts big blind [$0.05]

Dealt to Hero [ 3d, Ah ]
Button raises [$0.10]
SB folds
Hero raises [$0.25]
Button calls [$0.20]

** Dealing flop ** [ Qc, 6s, As ] - Pot $0.60

Hero bets [$0.31]
Button calls [$0.31]

** Dealing turn ** [ 9c ] - Pot $1.22

Hero checks
Button bets [$0.72]
Hero calls [$0.72]

** Dealing river ** [ Js ] - Pot $2.66

Hero bets [$1.78]
Button ???

Pre-Flop - Villain had been raising a lot when on the Button, and folding to 3 bets fairly often, which explains my play preflop.

On the flop - Hit top pair but weak kicker and thought I'd C-bet

Turn - Checked the turn not wanting to build a big pot with just one pair. I think the call here was reasonable with top pair. He raised and called a 3 bet pre flop then called the Cbet, so I don't think there's much he could have other than a pair, unless he was calling my 3bet light. Maybe AQ if he doesn't 4 bet that, or possibly one of the two flush draws that are now on the board.

River - I have to act first. If I check I think he raises and puts me in a tough spot with just 1 pair, so I go with a 2/3 Pot bet trying to rep the flush and just hoping he doesn't have it.

Was that play correct? Is there anything I should have done differently?

I'm not keen on 3-betting A3o in BB v BTN (it's OK for BvB, as you have position and your range can be more polarized). I'm especially not keen on only 3-betting to 5bb. Villain shouldn't fold anything to that size.
Since this is such a weak ace, it probably should be a check on the flop (unless you're betting your entire range) as it's OK as a bluffcatcher, but can't bet multiple streets for value (what do you expect villain to call down with?).
The line of bet flop, check-call turn, donk river (with one pair, no kicker, and no flush blocker) is weird as ****, and I think you're just clicking random buttons. I think that if I'd got myself into this situation, I'd check-fold the turn to that chunky bet. A3o is pretty weak in comparison to what villain is repping.

I think you can fold this hand really easily preflop. Every street seems misplayed.

If you are going to 3b bigger is needed (I don't hate a bigger 3b pre but with your skill level it's going to get you awful spots).

Flop I much prefer checking, you have pretty stable showdown value and villains aren't aggressive at this limit to take you off your equity so if you face heat you're beat most of the time.

Turn is a x/f with your previous line don't see any point in calling with a bluff catcher when villains never really bluff.

River makes no real sense you want to get to showdown cheap so just check, worse never calls better never folds and villains check back far too wide and don't bluff enough.

Thanks for the responses guys, this hand did feel weird and wasn't my usual play which was why I posted it, and you've confirmed it.

For the record, I normally fold A3o pre, but this guy had been raising very light from the button trying to steal the blinds, and had been folding a lot to 3 bets. So I understand that 3 betting here isn't a standard play, but was more an exploitive play knowing he was likely raising with very little.

As for the sizing, my 3 bets are always 3x the raise. So when he raised to $0.10, I put it to $0.30. I keep this consistent to not give away any information about the strength of my 3bet (whether 3x is the correct sizing for a 3bet is another issue - and I'm open to being corrected on this).


I can see how the rest of the streets were misplayed though. With regard to the river, should I just be check calling this, as played, as a bluff catcher? or would you fold (Obviously depending on the size of any river bet he might make)?

Fold river for sure. Both of us recommended folding the turn. :/
If you check-call the flop (or don't 3-bet, or make it a bigger 3-bet), the hand plays out completely differently though. It's best to just not get into this river situation in the first place.

I'm not sure I fold an ace in the BB to a min-raise in a 3-handed game.

I do agree that the hand is a giant cluster****, but still think you need to play A3o.

Since OP seems to be a little lost in this hand I would advice him to sit out when the play becomes very shorthanded. Stick to playing 5-6 handed until he's more confident in playing marginal spots (spots you need to play in 3 handed games if you don't want to be whittled down by the blinds).

You cannot fold a3o preflop to a minraise from the button.