PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (8 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
3 folds, Hero raises, CO 3-bets, 3 folds, Hero caps, CO calls.

Flop: (9.33 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero bets, CO raises, Hero calls.

Turn: (6.66 BB)

???

CO is 22/11/3.00.

Even though I'm a n00b I'd take a crack

Since his VP$IP is only 22%, it's likely he has a strong hand to raise with it.. AA, KK, or AK?

I'd check/call all the way to river since the pot is of sufficient size to call down?

I would have 3 bet or folded the flop, depending on how I read the other guy's play. I'm not a big fan of the call.

I like 3-betting the flop and leading the turn. If that doesn't shake him, he's likely got an ace. The way you played it I think it's a check fold -- you're behind pretty much all of his likely holdings once that jack hits and you're not going to get him to fold anything.

When that J hits, the only 3-betting hand a 22/11 player holds you can beat would be TT. Check-fold that turn. You took a stab at the flop and he wasn't going anywhere.

Call me weak, but I just fold to the flop raise. To continue with the hand at that point, I need to have a read that tells me my QQ still has a decent chance of being good (and based on his numbers, I think this will rarely be the case). I agree that 3-betting may be better than just calling, but I still think that folding on the flop is the most "profitable" play. If you 3-bet the flop, lead the turn and then (presumably) check-call the river, you're paying 3 big bets in a pot that I think you are rarely going to win.

Okay, yeah every once in a while you'll continue and you'll beat a guys JJ or TT (obviously not JJ on this hand), or he'll fold somewhere along the line and it'll feel good. I still don't think that happens enough to make it the best move.

-TW

Im going to have to concur with TW here. You have shown tremendous strength with a preflop cap and now you lead the flop and he still raises! You are beat. Disappoint him and fold to the flop raise.

On another note I very rarely will cap it preflop when it is going to be heads up. My first raise could well mean alot of things and by only calling a three bet your hand is still somewhat disguised while his is not. The deception usually more than makes up for itself in post flop play as you allow him continue to play the aggressor when you have a big hand.

I feared the ace immediately, putting him on AK, KK, or AA. I actually lead the turn, he raised me again, and my QQ hit the muck as I typed, "show me the aces." He then proceeded to show me:



I could've spit nails. I had him the whole way.

Ouch...

Well I say you are still the moral victor in that. Playing "mature" poker does suck sometimes though.

Rich