6 handed
I open A8s utg, SB 3bets, BB cold calls, I call

Flop: A46r
SB checks, BB checks, I bet, both call

Turn: 8
SB checks, BB bets, I....

SB is 44/17/1, BB is 73/47/1.2 and is known to be a big bluffer.

(Suits are irrelevant)

As posted, you are going to get replies that say "easy raise". I would go ahead and post your thought process in the hand, as we discussed on MSN, so that at least this can turn into a discussion on the merits of other plays.

Ok, good point. Seems like I'm losing again nowadays, and I'm questioning everything I do. I'm sure many of you will look at this hand and just say easy raise, and your probably right. Thats definitely the standard play, but my downswinging caused me to think of another line, I just smooth called:

1) What does SB have right now? He may have flopped a monster, but could just as easily have 99-KK. A raise will blow him out of the hand, or get me to put in 3 bets on the turn drawing very thin.

2) BB is almost always bluffing here, as he takes very strange lines with all of his hands. If I raise, he folds his bluff here and I win the pot.

I guess the real question is whether I should still be trying to maximize value for my hand, or just try and win the pot right here...

I don't think this is an 'easy raise' at all. That would just be ABC poker and would probably not maximize value on this hand. Given your read on both opponents, calling seems like the superior play. SB is almost certainly on a two outer with 99-KK like you said. He will definitely fold to a raise, but might call behind if you call given that he knows BB is often bluffing. He might assume you would raise with an ace and therefore think his pair is good.

Raising will usually win the pot right away, and push out the BB's possible gut shot straight draw. This is all that we are really worried about IMO. But calling is +EV because he will probably bluff again at the river. The best play is to wait till the river to pop it (except maybe if a 5 or 7 comes because he probably won't call your raise with a weaker hand).

I have a tendency to go ahead and raise this turn. I guess if you think the BB is bluffing you could just call to induce a river bet and raise then, but I think I prefer going ahead and raising it now.

SB is a 40/20 (as per the MSN convo with aim786).

His range is MUCH more than 99-KK. He could have 55, 77, all of which have 6 outs, he could even have A6, A4 (slowplaying), AK (again, even a more retarded slowplay), etc.

Furthermore, BB could have a SEMIBLUFF or any number of hands that are calling raises. Just because we figure to be ahead of him, doesn't mean he won't call a raise, I mean, he could think you're an aggrodonkey like he is. If we raise the turn, he calls with a ton of hands, and furthermore, he may STILL pay off the river. Maybe when he bluffs turn and gets two callers, he c/f's river.

Back to SB. Maybe he's planning on folding 99-KK for one bet anyways, given that two different people have shown an interest in their hand. Or, conversely, maybe he is too stubborn, and will call down with KK, QQ, or he thinks we are making an isolation play on the donkey with less than KK, and calls us down anyways.

I really don't think this is close.

I'm not giving up the chance to protect my hand here, and the possibility of gaining more bets.

- Zach