Bet on the river?

[rhino]

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (9 handed) converter

BB ($4.3)
UTG ($44.5)
UTG+1 ($13.7)
MP1 ($36.62)
MP2 ($24.4)
MP3 ($22.4)
Hero ($21.3)
Button ($32.4)
SB ($46.4)

Preflop: Hero is CO with J, J. SB posts a blind of $0.1.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1, Button calls $1, 2 folds, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls $0.75.

Flop: ($3.60) 5, 4, T (3 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $3, Button folds, MP2 calls $3.

Turn: ($9.60) 8 (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $4.5, MP2 calls $4.50.

River: ($18.60) 5 (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: $18.60

Results in white below:
MP2 has Th Ac (two pair, tens and fives).
Hero has Jh Js (two pair, jacks and fives).
Outcome: Hero wins $18.60.

Did I play this hand correctly? Should I have bet on the river? I had just sat down at the table, had no read on villain. Did not want to be bluff reraised with him repping the 5.

[evman150]

I'd have played it the same way. When I'm in position heads up or three way with a decent but not great hand I like to bet it on the flop and turn and then check it down if possible on the river. Yes you're most likely going to win the hand, but I'd rather not give my opponent an oppurtunity to sniff out a weak bet and bluff at the pot. He also may have you beat, in that case you save money by checking it.

I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to river play in position. Sometimes I don't get as much out of mediocre hands as I could, but I also don't get burned by big check raise bluffs and actual slowplays.

[Greedo017]

you did g00t. raise there is bad imo.

[drmcboy]

The only reason to bet here would be if you were planning to call if he raises. If you think you might fold to a big move you played it perfect. I would have made the same play 9/10.

[Bo G]

I would have bet on the river only because I would either have him on flush draw or a T. Since flush didn't come there is one option gone. Of course if he goes over the top you would have to fold. This would depend on the read of the player if he did this before or not.

Many times people get scared of the river card when they shouldn't be scared of it. Just walk through the whole hand in your head and imagine why would he be calling you all the way to the river.

[a500lbgorilla]

Bet that turn. Don't lob some chips in the pot. Bet like you have a pair. (Oh, that last comment was golden. GOLDEN, DAMNIT!)

-'rilla