No reads. This is a situation I really have problems with.

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is Button with [Js], [Jh].
3 folds, MP1 folds, MP2 calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (13.50 SB) [2d], [3c], [4s] (3 players)
BB bets, Hero calls, BB calls.

Ok, it was hard to narrow MP2's hand range down preflop, because he only raised, then called 2 bets back to him. After he raises here, I put him on AA - 99. BB could just be following up his cap with a lead bet. His hand range is AA - QQ, AK, and may AQs. When he calls MPs raise, I start to lean towards AK.

My question is, should I be playing to hit a jack on the flop, with this type of preflop action?

What's my play on the flop?
There's an outside chance I'm ahead here. If so, do I want to raise to drive out the BB if he has overs? This may also buy me a free card on the turn and double my chances to hit a set in case I'm behind.
Should I call and re-evaluate on the turn?
Or am I in a terrible spot too often here? Should I just fold in case my two opponents go to war with their hands? If foldings not the best play, it sure isn't giving much up, and it makes the rest of the hand a whole lot easier. :?

Turn: (9.75 BB) [Ac] (3 players)
BB checks, MP2 checks, Hero checks.

Worst.turn.ever.
Now I know I'm behind. BB could be going for a check-raise, and if he's not, he's had me beat the whole time. My read of MP2 has changed slightly. He has KK-99. If he has me beat, my bet may be enough to get him to fold. But BB could have just hit his hand as well. Should I just give up now and try to draw out? Or is it worth it to take one last stab and bet/fold? What if I was against 1 opponent?

River: (9.75 BB) [8c] (3 players)
BB checks, MP2 bets, Hero calls, BB calls.

Ok, its obvious now that BB probably has KK/QQ, or just 4-bet because it felt fun to do. He hated that ace. When MP2 bets, I still felt there was some chance I had him beat. I now realize that calling is absolutely disgusting here. This is an easy raise given my reads. In the heat of battle, I wasn't quick enough to realize this unfortunately. :evil:

Final Pot: 12.75 BB

All in all, a horribly played hand that made me sick to my stomach. Let the grilling begin.

I'll take a stab at it, but this is a toughie.

I'd prolly 3-bet the flop and fold to a cap.

Definitely check behind on the turn or fold if someone bets out in front.

Check/call on the river if you're closing the action.

Thoughts?

Jeff

you cant 3 bet and then fold to a cap... you would be getting like 17-1 by then

I think everything looks fine until the river.

I'd be tempted to raise the river to push out the BB with a hand like Q-Q... if you think it's possible he'll fold, then it's worth a raise.

Considering the lack of action on the turn, MP might bet the river with any number of hands that you are ahead of.

I think it's raise or fold on the river. I ain't quite sure which of those it is though... I'd lean toward the raise.

Without counting it up, I'll assume you're right that it's 17-1. If that's the case, I'd call the cap and fold the turn if someone bet out, check otherwise. Might call one on the river for info. That seem better?

I really think the flop needs a raise... am I alone?

Jeff

i think you played this pretty passively.

i three-bet this flop.

if i still have the lead, i bet any turn when they check to me.

i don't see a fold anywhere in this hand that often.

aseem

The more I think about it, the more I like the raise. Calling is by far the worse option, since it leaves me virtually no chance to win this pot. Folding is alright, but since I put MP's hand range as QQ - 99, I think it's wrong. I could have MP beat as much as 50% of the time. I really think BB has me beat, so the only question is whether or not he'll fold to a raise. He's shown he's scared of the ace on both the turn and river. I think he'll overcall nearly 100% of the time, but fold to a raise somewhere above 50%. So raising lets us win this hand more than 25% of the time - clearly worth it. So in most circumstances I should raise. If I knew BB would probably call a raise anyway, folding would be best.



Are we 3-betting for value, 3-betting for a possible free card (increasing our chances to hit a set, or 3-betting to take control of the hand

All the action sorta froze me. My thinking at the time was a 3-bet was not going to drive out the BB if he had overs, since he'd be getting more than 10:1. I called, planning to raise and turn without a king or ace. When the ace came on the turn, I knew I was behind.

I think calling has it's merits. It gives me a better chance to drive out BB on a safe turn card. I think 3-betting is also good, but I would like to hear your reasons as to why you'd 3-bet. I also think folding here's good. We could easily have the 3rd best hand, and we're not closing the action.

I really have no idea what is best :? .