Villain is a 21/18 decent TAG. He’s capable of raising the flop with air because we are deep. He’s also capable of double/triple barrel bluffs. No history or recent table action that’s relevant.
Seat 2: VI-Popsmak ($389.90 in chips)
Seat 3: Villain ($374.35 in chips)
3 other players
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to VI-Popsmak [As Kc]
VI-Popsmak: raises $6 to $8
Villain: calls $8
3 folds
*** FLOP *** [7h 5d Ah]
VI-Popsmak: bets $14
Villain: raises $28 to $42
VI-Popsmak: calls $28
*** TURN *** [7h 5d Ah] [Jc]
VI-Popsmak: checks
Villain: bets $77
VI-Popsmak: folds
Lesson I learned: when 200BB deep, major adjustments have to be made to your c-betting range versus good competent regulars. Bet/calling the flop and check/folding the turn seems like a terrible line to me, so I started thinking about alternate lines…
Benefits of a flop check/raise
1). I can easily fold to a 3bet since his range would contain 5-5/7-7/combo draws/air
2). If my opponent just calls my check/raise, my hand is likely ahead of his range.
Downsides
1). If my check/raise is called, my hand may be ahead of his range but because the pot is now bloated I’m going to have to give up on the hand on draw completing turns.
2). My turn bet on a blank turn is usually only called/raised by a hand stronger than my TPTK. Therefore I might as well be semi-bluffing with a line like this.
Benefits of a flop check/call
1). The pot isn't bloated.
2). My hand remains ahead of villain’s range.
3). My decisions on the turn/river are easier.
4). Check/call down unless a draw completes. If that happens, check/fold.
Downside
Basically I have to play the hand passively while OOP and give my opponent the opportunity to see the turn/river cards cheaply.
I wouldn’t have thought that check/calling down would be the better line. Am I forgetting any important details that might make check/raising better or check/calling worse?
This hand didn’t actually happen, but the scenario was something that crossed my mind while I was playing today.
