Villain has done nothing to be noticed... stack size has gone up $20 since buying in, nothing significant to mention about him.

Hollywood Poker No-Limit Hold'em $2.00 BB (10 handed)

Relevant Stack Sizes

Hero (Button); $398
Villain (MP3); $220

Preflop: Hero is dealt A J
UTG calls $2, 4 folds, MP3 raises to $8, 1 fold, Hero calls $8, 2 folds, UTG calls $8

Flop: ($27) J 6 3 (2 players)
UTG checks, Villain raises $15, Hero calls $15, UTG folds

Turn: ($57) 7 (2 players)
Villain checks (?), Hero bets $20, Villain raises to $50, Hero calls $50 (?)

River: ($157) 2 (2 players)
Villain bets $75, Hero ...?

This hand has got way out of control and I think numerous mistakes were made. I really didn't know whether he was stuborn and determined to push me off or whether he made a legitimate hand. His line seems terribly odd given the cards on the board. Feedback appreciated on ALL streets... thanks

This is why I fold AJ unsooted to a MP raise almost every time preflop. Its a total trap hand.

We gotta be beat fold to the turn raise

You need to raise the flop and find out where you are at in the hand..If he comes back over the top of you, you can put him on an overpair and get away right now..

I cant see us being ahead by the river. I would have peeled on the turn, see if that fourth diamond hits, but since it didn't,we have to assume were against a set, OP, or flush..

I agree with Krup, I don't hate folding AJ at a full ring table..I play only short handed really, but like he said, its a big trap hand

His line looks to me like he bet his flush draw on the flop, hit it on the turn and feigned weakness to get a bet out of you, then value bet the river when you unexpectedly called the turn. K Q makes most sense to me if Villain is capable of raising it. I think Villain shuts down after the turn if he does not have a flush because you bet call the turn. I bail when he bets the river, but I probably fold preflop even with position.

Really? People are folding AJ on the button to a standard MP3 raise? Not trying to over value AJ but with position I normally make this call especially with the raise comming in a fairly late position.

Is checking the turn a better option? With the nut flush draw and top pair and the Villain checking after what I interperted as weakness/slowing down due to flush on board, should I bet bigger, the same, or just check it and get the free card?

Thats not a bad line, especially if you want to get to a showdown for a relatively low price on the river...

Lets say you check the turn, and the river blanks

Villain bets $50

Your action? I would probably call it and see if he got silly with AK

The UTG is in. This makes a big difference. Let it go preflop

I'd say he already has the flush at the turn, I fold this at the river.

As krup said, fold to a raise pre-flop.

Given that you didn't, answer me this...

What draw DIDN'T hit on the turn?

First of all, you're beat, fold the turn. Second, calling is the worst possible decision. If you think you have the best hand, push, if you don't, fold.

Your "slow-playing" of TPTK is vomit-worthy.


Just to recap:
1. Fold pre-flop
2. Raise the flop
3. Fold to re-raise on the turn

What are you talking about Master? Why are we assuming the pre flop raiser is on a draw? The pre flop raiser who *obviously* has something better then AJ so to make me fold pre flop? The turn makes the diamond draw? Unless you are putting him on ....45 and it completes his straight draw? The only diamond draw he could feasibly have with raising pre flop is KQd, or KJd imo. In which case calling on the button doesn't seem like such a travesty are you making it out to be.

I am not refering to myself "slowplaying" in the title, I meant whether the Villain was slowplaying his hand or not. And you do realize I am drawing to the nut flush draw after the turn right? I am not defending my turn call or bet for that matter, I am just saying I did have numerous outs to the nuts as well as possible A/J outs which could be live if he has KK/QQ with the K or Q diamonds.

Bottom line is that AJ is generally dominated to a pre-flop raise, and you gain nothing by flat calling on the flop. You allow draws to catch up (tricky players could raise 4d5d from MP so that they can guarantee position on previous callers) and you have no information on the bettor other than that they are making a continuation bet. Raise 'em, see where you stand. That's what I meant by slow-playing TPTK. You got one of the best flops you can expect for your hand and you are just calling.

Like what everyone else was saying, RAISE THE FLOP. You have no idea where you stand by just calling. By raising him post flop you can gain more infp and therefore save more $ in the end

What would people raise it to on the flop?

Raise to 45/50