So just to rehash both sides:

The people in favor of checking believe that it allows us to use our relative position to figure out if we have the best hand without having to invest 50 dollars into the pot to find out. The following alternate scenarios then occur:

1) We check, someone takes a stab at it, someone pushes all in with a Jack or something that beats us, we fold and get off real easy. This probably happens a significant, albeit small percentage of the time.

2) We check, someone in early position bets strong and we fold no matter the action, usually folding the worst hand, but occasionally folding the best hand (like if someone had 99, this is somewhat rare, or more likely if someone had a suited ace of spades, which really is actually a small favorite against us tho its +EV).

3) We check, and the action checks to someone in late position who bets half the pot. We usually call here, understanding that his bet could be from a weak hand with position. We still proceed with caution. This is probably +EV.

4) We check, one player leads weak, and one or less people call. We raise and probably pick up the pot enough for +EV.

5) We check, one player leads weak and gets two or more callers. We may choose to raise, but usually just call down with great pot odds and equity vs. villains' ranges.

6) We check, and everyone checks through. This is probably a fairly rare occurrence, but our EV isn't awful. We can usually lead a blank turn and take it down.




The people in favor of betting believe that their hand is good enough vs the range of hands 6 players would limp and call with that its worth it to take a 50 dollar stab at the pot. They believe that worse hands will often call, and will rely on their reading skills to play the turn if called. They also believe that 6 players will all fold to a bet 33% of the time, hence allowing a plus EV bluff, in addition to the value they get if called by worse. The following scenarios may occur.

1) They bet 50. Action folds to someone who pushes and then they are forced to fold. This probably happens a fairly significant percentage of the time (at least 15-20%)

2) They bet 50. Everyone folds. This is a large part of the debate and no one can surmise how often this will happen.

3) They bet 50. Someone calls and the turn is blank. Then they use their read on the player to either push or check. If they check, they are usually folding to a push, even getting 3:1, the call of this push is probably marginal to negative ev vs most players (I am pretty sure OP had no reads). The push is probably marginal to positive EV against most players. This is another thing that is being debated.

4) They bet 50. Someone calls and the turn is a spade (or maybe an ace). They check and give up the pot.