Party Poker 20/40 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , . MP3 posts a blind of $20. CO posts a blind of $30.
UTG raises, 1 fold, MP1 calls, Hero 3-bets, 2 folds, Button calls, 2 folds, UTG caps, MP1 calls, Hero calls, Button calls.

Flop: (20 SB) , , (4 players)
UTG checks, MP1 bets, Hero raises, Button 3-bets, UTG folds, MP1 calls, Hero caps, Button calls, MP1 calls.

Turn: (16 BB) (3 players)
MP1 checks, Hero bets, Button raises, MP1 folds, Hero calls.

River: (20 BB) (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 22 BB


I'm practically praying for AJ the whole time. Then on the river I can't even beat that. Anyone call this down, if not, where do you think I should have folded?

Admittedly, I did not fully consider the presence of the two posters when I thought the problem through. I just dismissed them outright, because... well, I didn't think that the extra bets made a huge difference. Fact is, you're still facing a UTG raiser, a cold caller, and you have a hand that you wouldn't play if the pot was only 5.5 small bets big (which it would be if there were no posts) but you do play since the pot is 8 small bets.

I just can't seem to justify these 2.5 more small bets making the pot worth a call (or a raise) since everything else is still so wrong about the hand - weak position, moderate hand, UTG raiser, and three more streets of betting where you have to flop enough to get ahead and you have to stay ahead on the turn and river. If you really think that all these problems are negated by the presence of 2.5 more small bets... well... I would like to hear your arguments. Truly, I'm not convinced either way.