$0.50/$1 hand

[erdnase]

First hand at the table, and I`m dealt pocket kings in big blind. 2 limpers to me, and I make it $5. Guy to my left calls, and everyone else folds. Pot is around $12,, and flop comes JJ2 rainbow. I fire out $10, and guy to my left thinks for a while, and moves in for another $36. Whats your thoughts here? I mused for a good while before folding, but it`s been playing on my mind. AJ down to 10J are all reasonable holdings given the play at this level, but would they raise all in there? Another $36 for a showdown was tempting, and the thoughts of "he`d surely wait to the turn to raise with a jack" made it a real borderline decision. I knew nothing about this player at that point.. its not even that big a hand, but do you think my fold was right? Any thoughts?

[Smokin'Al]

Tricky ... I started folding these after I ran into QJ vs AA with that exact same board, and like you thought "why wouldn't he slowplay?"

There are no draws, so unless he's an idiot on medium pocket pair, or has decided to bluff someone he's never played with before, he has 22 or a J. Wait for a better spot?

ps I like checking these flops nowadays, especially when multiway... if he bets, he likely doesn't have the J and can be check raised off (getting more money than if I'd bet out). If he checks, I go for a cheap showdown. Most of KK's value comes from people overplaying TPTK or draws anyway, which isn't going to happen on this board.

[Mad Genius]

I call here. I just don't think most people make that move with a J. With that type of draw the inclination would be to slowplay a J. I think he's got a lower pair.

[Smokin'Al]

I'm not convinced most people would slowplay trip Js here ... if he calls, he's pretty much defined his hand anyway and isn't going to get much more money (unless beaten, or against a LAG)... might as well raise rather than give pairs a free shot at the boat.

I think most weak players on pairs see the Js and are too scared to bluff, strong players (i) typically won't slowplay Js, as above, (ii) won't bluff a pre-flop raiser without a read.

Plus, in my experience, big raises on paired flops have typically been trips or better. I guess that's not the case for you, MG? Anyone got any statistics?

[Bob314]

He limped in early position and moved in on you. He doesn't think you have the Jack. I agree with MG and would call here. In addition, I doubt there would be much of a pause if he had the J. It doesn't take much thinking about deciding whether to move in with a J or not.

[erdnase]

Cheers for the thoughts, guys.. Thats pretty much my thought process at that time. In retrospect, I think folding was probably the wrong move. I looked down at my stack, saw how little I'd invested in the pot, and thought I'm not going to talk myself into a call here - there`s going to be plenty of better opportunities to put my money in. As it turns out, there were plenty more, so no great deal, but I still reckon in a similar future scenario I'd go for a crying call.