Bodog 8/16 LHE (6-handed)

Cobalt is SB w/ T 6 . BB and UTG are both LAG. They like to limp with somewhat trashy and mediocre hands, though UTG has also shown a penchant for raising unsuited connectors in MP. They're prone to bluffing in position, and they're aggressive with pairs/draws. BB has shown himself as capable of bet/folding streets and even once took the rare raise/fold line. He doesn't raise very frequently pre-flop and fairly rarely from the blinds. I'm probably viewed as somewhat TAG. I am confident in my post-flop ability.

Pre-flop:
UTG calls, 3 folds, Cobalt calls, BB checks

Flop (3 SB): 8 9 7 (3 players)
Cobalt bets, BB raises, UTG calls, Cobalt calls

Turn (4.5 BB): A (3 players)
Cobalt checks, BB checks, UTG checks

River (4.5 BB): Q (3 players)
Cobalt bets, 1 fold, UTG calls

Final Pot: 6.5 BB


Alternative lines? I was extremely not happy that the turn got checked through...which made me question whether I should've just gone ahead and 3-bet the flop. Having the flush draw probably influenced me to play it a bit slower than normal.

3 bet the flop, lead the turn.

You have UTG trapped since he cold called for 2, might as well
exploit it while you can.

I hate the turn getting checked through more than you do.
And I don't allow it.
No free card plays in my games.
Full aggression on flop and turn.

When your opponents are as loose as the ones that we play against, it is often more profitable to take their money from their loose calls rather than purely from their over-aggression.

--CM

Yeah, I think there's too much risk of lost bets here to get cute out of position. Best case, you get an extra SB from each opponent. But if a heart, T, or 6 hits, you'll wish you had bet the flop. And, BB might check anyway (as he did here) after both you and UTG stick around.

Since BB didn't bet the turn, it probably cost you 2-3 BB, if not more. I think that's too big of a risk to take when at best your line gains you 2 SB as opposed to 3-betting the flop and going from there.