How did I play this?


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

UTG+1 ($41.55)
MP1 ($13.15)
MP2 ($23.45)
CO ($29.10)
Hero ($45.75)
SB ($47.75)
BB ($36.95)
UTG ($39.45)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q, Q.
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.5, 2 folds, CO raises to $2.5, Hero calls $2.50, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $1.

Flop: ($8.25) 4, 4, T (3 players)
UTG+1 bets $5, CO folds, Hero raises to $15, UTG+1 raises to $39.05, Hero calls $24.05.

Turn: ($86.35) 6 (2 players)

River: ($86.35) 5 (2 players)

Final Pot: $86.35

I probably 4-bet this preflop. You're just 8-handed, and the two raises before you were 1 BB above the minimum, and then the minimum after that. This would be the cheapest time to find out if someone has a higher pair. I'd make it about $7 and take control of the betting in position. If someone comes back after that, then fold. I think the 4-bet makes post-flop play simpler as well.

I fold to his flop push. At that point we're only beating a hyperaggressive JJ. This looks a lot like TT begging for a raise from an overpair. Could be KK or AA too, obviously.

Ditto.

I dont think this is KK or AA though, that probably would have pushed pre flop.
Doesn't look like TT either since, they probably would have tried to slowplay.

I think your up against exactly JJ often enough to make the call on the flop.

Why would UTG+1 slowplay TT when he wants all of an overpair's money? CO has represented a big hand pf and Hero has flat called that. At least one of them probably has at least QQ. If villain had TT then he would like a raise and that's exactly what he got.

Stop thinking like you. (sw)

Betting out big when you flop a big hand in order to build a big pot is a very good play and the mark of a skilled player. (See Doyle Brunson, High Stakes Poker Season 2, flops top set of kings on an uncoordinated board against Negreanu, bets pot.) But not all players are capable of this, some have it set in their mind that they have to slowplay a hand this powerful.

So it depends on your read of the guy. Is he capable of making this play with such a strong hand or is he a slowplayer? Act accordingly.