Betting the river

**geerussell** · 01-27-2005

At the end of this, when it's checked to me at the river, how good should I feel about the strength of my hand? This happens to me a lot and usually (sadly) my confidence has been sapped by the calls at the flop and turn. Fearing a slow-play I usually end up taking the easy way out and check.

Is this a good situation for a bet on the river? (if so how big?) Or is coasting meekly to a showdown a good play here?

***** Hand History for Game 1497182601 *****
$25 NL Hold'em - Wednesday, January 26, 22:07:42 EDT 2005
Table Table 32893 (6 max) (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 6: geerussell ( $107.72 )
Seat 8: ozarka ( $23.02 )
Seat 3: jk2gt07 ( $60.51 )
Seat 5: mikedog12 ( $29.05 )
Seat 10: CCCPpokr610 ( $25 )
jk2gt07 posts small blind [$0.25].
mikedog12 posts big blind [$0.5].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to geerussell [ 8c Ts ]
geerussell raises [$1].
ozarka calls [$1].
jk2gt07 folds.
mikedog12 calls [$0.5].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Th, 8s, 6h ]
mikedog12 bets [$0.5].
geerussell raises [$4].
ozarka folds.
mikedog12 calls [$3.5].
** Dealing Turn ** [ 5c ]
mikedog12 checks.
geerussell bets [$5].
mikedog12 calls [$5].
** Dealing River ** [ Ah ]
mikedog12 checks.
geerussell checks.
mikedog12 shows [ Td, 9d ] a pair of tens.
geerussell shows [ 8c, Ts ] two pairs, tens and eights.
geerussell wins $20.2 from the main pot with two pairs, tens and eights.

**joe32543** · 01-27-2005

Ya, I would of probably checked there too. But that depends on how he's been playing. Has he check-raised on the river before?

**bonchkid** · 01-27-2005

Seems, like an easy value bet, folding to a raise.

**Shade** · 01-27-2005

The question really comes down to what sort of play you think your opponent is capable of making here, what sort of hand you put him on based on the betting, and what you think his perception is of you. If you think he's disciplined enough to try for a check/raise of something like a rivered flush, then check. If your read is that he would have bet anything significant, then go ahead and make a modest bet and try to lure a couple more bucks into the pot.

You can't lose what doesn't go into the middle of the table, so if there's any doubt or you don't have a clear read yet, then its probably better to play it safe rather than sorry and check behind. While it might cost you a few bucks that he otherwise would have called, it also enables you to see his cards by getting to a showdown...that insight into what and how he plays might be worth the 2-3 bucks he may have called that you lose by not betting.

**Steve Ruddock** · 01-27-2005

I totally agree with shade here, it really depends on your opponent.

From what i see in this hand he is passive, only bet .50 with top pair inside straight draw, and then called a big raise. flat called $5 on the turn and checked the river.

I probably would have thrown another $5 in the pot, if he only had a draw he folds, has top pair he calls, and it seems like if he does have 2 pair (A6, A8, AT) he may just call to. If he pops it I would fold, it's only 1 hand I'm seeing here but I doubt he would be capable of firing off a bluff here.

**Beavis68** · 01-27-2005

Originally Posted by Steve-O

I probably would have thrown another $5 in the pot, if he only had a draw he folds.

Unless it was a flush draw.

**Steve Ruddock** · 01-27-2005

didn't even see that beav, was just looking at the straight

**Beavis68** · 01-27-2005

The problem here now that the ace of hearts hits is, he could have AT and be afraid you were playing a flush draw aggressively and now has a better two pair and will check-call, or he has a weak flush draw and will check-call or he has a good flush draw and is hoping to check raise you.

With a top pair on the flop hand, he will not call a very big raise now that the Ace and third heart hits unless he is an idiot - which is very possible. Therefore, a large bet is likely to be -EV, but a small bet may look like a steal, and he may check-raise you thinking you are scared of the river, or he may check-raise you with the best hand.

In my opinion you are much less likely to make a costly mistake by just checking, so if you are uncorftable about having to deal with a check-raise and don't want to risk all your chips or folding a winning hand - just check.

**the alex** · 01-27-2005

The "video poker" side of me says two pair while the "I would've played AT just like your opponent the same way" side of me says nice hand.

You played it right. I like it. Very disciplined, yet not scared.

**Cleveland OH B&M** · 01-28-2005

I would Ck 8 out of 10 times, not that it's right
River would of scared chit out of me, They way it went down I would of read him as a flush draw,

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