Quote Originally Posted by martindcx1e
So as a general rule one shouldn't make a bet when it will only be called by a better hand, correct?
I LOVE to bet with air. Almost as much as I like to bet with the nuts.

My rule is:
If I would hate to be raised because calling/folding would probably be close then I generally don't re-open the betting.

The exception to this is when you're against players that call way too much and rarely raise. Then you can value bet marginal hands all day and just suck it up and fold to raises (these weak folds are made correct by their tight raises anyway.)

Here is a great example.

Sucker limps, you iso-raise AKo, bb refuses to fold and the flop comes Q T 5 two-tone (matches your Ace.) With a backdoor nut frush draw, 2 overs and a gutshot to the nuts you would really hate to be raised. You might even have the best hand. Also, with 2 broadways on the board there is a good chance the other guy caught so checking behind here is a pretty good play.

It works particularly well when you've been caught bluffing and have pounded the crap out of every hand you've been in. Players will get very suspicous of your check behind and many will slow down.