Seems like all I've done lately is post bad beats at Doyle's Room so I think it's time to post something with some content here (from a different site of course). I've recently gone back to the basics with my limit game to the .25/.50 level and although my bankroll does allow it, I won't move up until I hit 10,000 hands with at least +3bb/100 or more (currently at +1.93bb/100 with just over 1,568 hands).

Onto the hand, I'm still undecided about the correct flop play.

Absolute Poker
Limit Holdem Ring game
Limit: $0.25/$0.5
9 players


Pre-flop: (9 players) Hero is MP2 with
UTG calls (1.4:1), UTG+1 calls (2.4:1), MP1 folds, Hero calls (3.4:1), MP3 calls (4.4:1), CO folds, Button calls (5.4:1), SB folds, BB checks.

A little loose, but the table hadn't been overly aggressive and it looked like we were going to have enough people see the flop where I could play this hand.

Flop: (6.4SB, 6 players)
BB bets, UTG raises, UTG+1 calls (9.4:2), Hero????

Here's where it gets tricky. Played 147 hands with BB. He's loose (VP$IP 36%), but not very aggressive out of position. He probably has some piece of this flop. I have had one previous noteable hand with UTG - she cracked my Aces when she cold called a PFR (not mine) from an UTG player with 64s and turned a straight. She seems pretty loose - not a statement on her sexuality - , but only aggressive when she has something. Anyway, she raises, saying that she has a very strong hand. Maybe a straight. UTG+1 cold calls so now what's my move? I'm not sure where I am, but I'm probably behind.

Answer below
















Hero calls (11.4:2), 2 folds, BB calls (13.4:1).


Turn: (7.2BB, 4 players)
BB checks, UTG bets, UTG+1 calls (8.2:1), Hero calls (9.2:1), BB calls (10.2:1).

River: (11.2BB, 4 players)
BB checks, UTG bets, UTG+1 folds, Hero raises, BB folds, UTG calls (14.2:1).


Results:
Final pot: 15.2BB
Hero Shows 5c 6c
UTG Shows 4d 2d YIKES! Straight flush draw.


Obviously I took the line that I was behind and was drawing to a 4 outter, and I was right. I know I didn't have the immediate odds, but thought if I could keep the BB in the hand, I'd have the implied odds.

I really like my turn play, going for the BB overcall and wanting to keep UTG aggressive, and my river raise of course because I couldn't be sure BB would call. How many would have either raised or even folded the flop? I'm pretty sure I'm giving it up on the turn unimproved unless the immediate odds are there.

Getting a free card makes no sense, you're not drawing here you have a made hand, 3 betting thins the field and/or charges others to not get free cards. By your logic if you think you're behind you should fold as you aren't getting enough odds to call.

Again, what The Golden 1 said. You're not 3-betting for a free card, as you're not drawing. You're value-betting a made hand.