$100 PLO on UB.

I have a $120 stack and get [6h][5s][5h] in the BB. Two limpers, SB min raises (he does that every other hand) and I call, as do the limpers.

Flop: [9s][9c].

SB (Laggy and unpredictable, stack $35), bets $5 into the $8 pot. I raise the pot, making it $18 to go; one limper folds and the other calls. This guy doesn't get out of line a lot, and has me covered. The SB moves in, making it $10 for me to call (I can't raise anymore). I call, and so does the LP limper. Maybe I should have raise less than the pot so that I could get all the money in if SB reraises?

Turn: . Pot is now $105, I have $85 left. I don't like the Q, since it is not unthinkable that LP has a wrap-type hand containing a Q; he usually raises with strong wraps and high pairs in LP, but could have limped with a one-gap wrap....
I'm pretty sure that he would have raised the flop with 95, so it is more or less certain he has a 9 with decent kickers.

The SB is allin; he could have anything from a 9 to an overpair to a boat. He would even play a 5678 like this.

What do you do? I don't see the point of betting a small amount, since it would show weakness. It is either check-fold (unless his bet is really small) or push, right?

Pieter

In my limited experience, I would push. That Q could have hit him but check/folding would seem really weak/tight here and I think you would be losing a lot of value from it. This is what sucks about low sets but I think pushing is the correct thing to do.

Yeah, it's tough but I think you have to push that turn. I expect to lose approximately half the time mind you! Still, if you check here you invite a bluff (which would really suck) or you give your opponent chance to draw for free. It's not a great situation, but I think it's difficult to drop this hand.

Your idea about betting an amount on the flop that allows the small stack to put in a full-bet raise is very good. PROVIDING, of course, your read on the guy (that he'll raise with any old garbage) is correct. Think about it during the game next time; that's a very sophisticated play and woulda been a real classy move! At Cryptologic you can raise those small bets (party too I think) so it's not something I do often, but there are similar plays one can make, such as making a min raise against an open raiser when you're out of position with AAxxds, hoping he raises again and you can get all in, but knowing you haven't necessarily revealed your hand if that doesn't happen. Being able to manipulate the action like this can be profitable in a small buy-in game and it's worth bearing in mind.

Monk
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