Top two pair on the turn in a no limit cash game

Game type:No Limit, cash, full ring
Your image: You have won your last two pots by check raising and getting your opponent to fold.
Misc notes:
Your hand: A♠J♠
The setup:
Preflop, Player B raises to $37.50 and the table folds around to you. You flat call the raise and the BB folds, leaving you heads up with player B. You start wishing more people were in the hand when you flop…

A♥J♦8♠

…giving you top two pair and a backdoor spade draw. You check the flop and your opponent checks behind. The turn brings an apparent blank, 5♦. It’s your action. Do you …

4 COMMENTS (Jump to comment form)

lespat

Because of your image, I will suggest a check raise. It looks like you’re trying to steal since it’s worked for you on previous hands. Normally I would go ahead and just bet out, but seems like you could really win a bit pot if opponent decides to look you up on the CR.

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pnc

I think you should have bet the flop but since you didn’t you might as well check again here.

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Kyle

I agree with pnc to bet the flop. Find out where you are right away. A flat call would be scary because he could be slowplaying AA or JJ. He raised in early position so these are feasible holdings. If he raises the flop you probably have the best hand and are going to make some money. He likely has AK AQ in that scenario. As is you checked and he checked. You have no information. I like the small bet with intention of re-raising. If he comes over the top of you, you might be in trouble. If he calls your bet he probably has AK AQ maybe suited in diamonds. (KQdiamonds also possible but unlikely) At best you are only going to get a value bet in on the river. If a K or Q or diamond you might want to check and play it cautious. By checking the flop and not at least making a feeler bet you give your opponent to catch a set with holdings like KK QQ 10-10 etc. for free. Your opponent would not likely call a bet with these hands if you bet into them. If they have these hands you arent going to win much off them anyways so its better to not give them a chance to hit on you and win a big pot off you. Checking the flop with the intent of raising doesnt give you much potential to win much more since you are out of position. If your opponent comes over the top of your raise you have to think he has you beat.

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Ripp

unless hes slow rolling trips you are good. hes scared of the check raise, so he diden’t move on the flop. he probably won’t move here. if he does have anything its time to start getting paid for your monster 2 pair. bet small to temp him to come over top, even though he won’t due to table image. he will just call to be safe. if he does come over top of you, hammer the pot, be the bully. do this enough, someone is going to try to keep you honest, and it will pay you off.

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