I like this line a lot in this spot, but not against the table fish:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (6 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
MP ($2000)
CO ($1850)
Button ($1329)
SB ($8366)
Hero (BB) ($2197)
UTG ($2274)
Preflop: Hero is BB with Q
, K
3 folds, Button raises to $40, 1 fold, Hero raises to $144, Button calls $104
Flop: ($298) J, A
, 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks
Turn: ($298) 2
(2 players)
Hero bets $203, Button calls $203
River: ($704) 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $550, Button calls $550
Total pot: $1804 | Rake: $3
Results:
Button had A
, 10 (one pair, Aces).
Hero had Q, K (high card, Ace).
Outcome: Button won $1801
Most of the time that I check this flop after 3-betting pre-flop, I’m going to have something with some showdown value. And if I then bet hard at the turn and river, it will be because I was slowplaying a monster or at least pot controlling something pretty good like AK.
So, I like a similar line with a big draw, as compared to just betting the flop and then making a pot-committing turn bet. Maybe I’ll get to check-raise the flop if Villain throws out a feeler bet/bluff, or make a concealed flush (since he probably wouldn’t expect me to check a flush draw on the flop)- with all my outs, I certainly don’t mind seeing a free turn card.
AT is exactly the kind of hand I’d expect a better player to drop on the river. But this was not a better player, and I should have known better.
You know, I have been trying some of your aggressive strategy at a free site where I play. Even though I am practicing such play in the rooms with the highest “buy-ins”, it doesn’t work there either. I tell a convincing story, or so I think. Top pair is just too tempting for level one players. So, you’re correct in your assessment, unless, of course, your fish reads your blog.