Getting To the Showdown Cheaply.

[MTPaid]

This is a bit similar to the "Free Card" play, but I use it a lot when I'm unsure if my hand is best and I want to get to the showdown cheaply. Tell me what you guys think.....

[6c] CO $1/$2 game.

It is folded to me and I limp in. Folded to the BB who raises. I call.

I've only gone around the table once so far so I have no read on the BB. I had stolen the blinds in the last hand and I didn't want to do it twice in a row.

Flop: [2c][9h] ($2.25 BB in pot)

He bets and I raise. He calls.
1 - I might be ahead here if he has 2 big cards.
2 - I want to take control of the hand in case I am behind I may be able to get to the showdown cheaply.

Turn: (4.25 BB in pot)

He checks, I bet, he calls.
If this were a free card play I check here, but I'm not on a draw. My bet here serves 2 purposes.
1 - He may fold even if he is ahead. He doesn't know that I don't have a 9 or a Jack.
2 - He will most likely check the river to me now as I think he fears he is behind.

River: (6.25 BB in pot)

He checks and I check behind him. He shows [Tc] to take the pot.

There was probably no way he was folding that hand, but I got to the showdown as cheaply as possible (only 2 BB's after the flop) when I wasn't sure if my hand was best and I even think I might get a fold a couple of times against some weaker players with the turn bet.

If he raises me on the Flop or check-raises the Turn I am done with the hand, but he didn't.

Do you take this hand to the river or get away sooner?

What do you guys think

[Kuso]

I like it.

It's the free river card versus free showdown play (mentioned ).

[ihategnomes]

[CFlannagan]

[MTPaid]

Reason I didn't raise was because I stole the blinds the hand before. They were probably more likely to call here and I'd have to fold if 2 OC's hit and I got bet out on. If I hadn't stole the blinds the hand before I would have raised here.

[ihategnomes]

I still raise given the situation.

[The Golden 1]