Final hand from a friend. Villian is unknown.

Poker Stars, $0.25/$0.50 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 6 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

BB: $37.45
UTG: $63.40
MP: $71.15
Hero (CO): $48.50
BTN: $52.10
SB: $95.25

Pre-Flop: A K dealt to Hero (CO)
2 folds, Hero raises to $2, 2 folds, BB calls $1.50

Flop: ($4.25) 3 A 3 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3, BB calls $3

Turn: ($10.25) 2 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $7.50, BB calls $7.50

River: ($25.25) 4 (2 Players)
BB bets $7, Hero??

Yea I shove here almost always....It sucks when villian holds a 3 or a 5 but it's value vs. another A.

My reply:

I am a bit worried by BB's sudden decision to lead into us on the river. It looks like he's worried we're going to check behind, but as we don't know anything about him, it's really hard to put him on a range. A3, A4, A5, 34, 45, 33 are all in his range, as well as all the other aces that we're ahead of.

I doubt villain is very good - if he has a mid strength hand like ours, he has to be concerned about the flush draw, particularly at us checking behind on the turn. His calling us down means he's on a monster or he's bad. His river lead gives more credence to the idea that he's on a monster - trying to get all the value he can.

I honestly can't decide if a call or a value raise is in order here. His lead has thrown me, and when I'm thrown I tend to just call.

Really? It doesn't just look like a blocker bet to you?

IMO this is a blocker from a weaker ace so I just value this one because he has a lot aweaker ace. Sure could have A2-A5 but shoving is good here.

Yeh, that works too, good point

If its a blocker he should fold to a raise. Esp. a big one. I'd call river but I'm a passive donk

There's less than $20 left and villians usually suck enough to 1.) make block bets at bad times (often when they shoulda been out of the hand long ago) 2.) not really know they're making a block bet whether it's a good time for it or a bad time 3.) call when their block bet gets raised even though it kinda defeats the whole purpose and turns all of their block bets into fake block bets even though again they aren't doing this on purpose



I think this is a super easy shove and if you lose: 1.) reload, 2.) get over it (if this part is hard then hopefully you're a little new and will get this over time or even if not new then will at least get it over a little more time). 3.) keep playing good poker, and 4.) keep profiting.

That's the first thing I was thinking when I saw the river bet size. Valueraise here!