.50/1.00 NL Gaming Club $100 max

no reads
stacks - $100
opponent - $80

I'm dealt [Kd] in the BB. Two limpers to me I raise to $5. MP calls the $5.


FLOP $11
[Td][Jc]

I bet $10, opponent calls


TURN $33
[Td][Jc][8d]

I bet $20, opponent calls.

RIVER $73
[Td][Jc][8d][2d]

I check. Opponent bets $20 quickly. I make a crying call.


Opponent shows [7s] ????

I win a big pot and an extra $20 by checking the river. woohoo!!!

Thoughts?

I think I started a fad here. Well, its not like invented the "check the river and induce a bluff" play, but its gaining popularity anyway. Ive been asked to write an article on it so I guess thats what I'll do.

ice,
Not to hurt your feelings....but I picked it up from the cloutier book (checking on the river). Since he said a big call on the flop and big call on the turn is a sign of huge strength...I started checking the river in front of these players.

Until you brought it up, however, I didn't realize the frequency I was inducing bluffs with this play.. It's a good thing we all share this wealth of poker knowlegde !

Hey guys,

I think that there is something missing here. What in the world would you want this guy to bet the river for. In my opinion, this hand is extremley weak. This guy called two big bets on the flop and turn. He could have any number of full houses, a straight, and just a plain old jack would do the job. He also could have AA altough it would've been poorly played. You also have to mention the flush that hit the river. Considering the fact that this guy called two pot sized bets on the flop and turn with this board out, like Kenny said, his hand is SCREAMING strength. All you did by checking the river was give him the opportunity to make a play on you. As you stated Kenny, "I made a crying call on the river". This statement says that you thought you were beat. If you think you're beat, then why call.

Now lets flip it to his point of view.

You raised in postion preflop which should tell him you have a decent hand. For whatever reason this guy called. JJ10 hit's the board. You lead out with a bet, and again he calls with nothing. The 8 hits bringing out the straight. You lead out again and again for some reason he calls. The river brings a 2 out and three to the flush. You check. What in the world would he bet 20 dollars for. It's a little high to be a value bet and to little to be a bluff. In my opinion, this 20 dollar bet was the best play that he made and it should've made you think you were beat. Again, from you crying call statement, it worked. Unfortunatly for him, you called anyway.

I think this hand was played well by you Kenny untill the river. If you check the river, you should fold to any bet worth some money. Your check says that you are scared he has you beat. If you think you're beat, throw it away and move on.

Your opponent played this hand horribly. I don't understand the logic of calling preflop witht that garbage. I REALLY don't understand the reasoning behind the flop and turn calls. He obviously thought that you didn't have a thing which is why I think that his river bet was good. If he thought you didn't have a strong hand, then his bet was good and should've forced you to fold knowing how tight you usually are

All this being said, I love checking the river with a strong hand to induce the bluff. This just wasn't the time for it.

Anybody following me? Let me know if I'm off base here.

Good luck,
Chris

I'm getting just about 5-1 on the call here. Pot is $93 and I have to call $20. I can still beat a bluff, a lower poket pair, and a busted straight draw.

If I bet this river, either he folds or I get raised. (Or if I move-all in..he calls, I lose. or he folds)

If I check, he may check behind me, he may bluff, or he will make a bet with a better hand. If he does have a better hand he probably won't move all-in, since he wants a call, and it ends up saving me a lot of money in the long run. That fact coupled with inducing a bluff on occasion, makes this the better play in my opinion.