NL2/5. Play along with Qc9c

My standard c-bet is going to be 1/3-1/2 pot, so, $25.

He's sticky so isn't he calling the flop like 100%? If betting I would bet small unless he's capable of c/r'ing you with an ace, then I would just check it back.

This was perfect!
Two great analysts open with contrasting advice. Doc immediately offers a standard GTO play and Playbig offers a logical exploit.
I think this sums up the spot: we're going to decide on standard play versus exploiting a loose 2/3 rec V who's moved up to 2/5.

We probably win more hands against this V in this spot by c-betting but we probably win more money by checking behind and hoping he bluffs at the turn when we hit the flush or two pair.

FWIW, I don't know if my advice is standard GTO play, inasmuch as I'm usually c-betting range HU and IP as the PFR, whereas I think GTO mixes c-bets and check-backs.

I prefer to use simplified strats over mixing my plays, but I'll deviate and mix when I see a good reason.

Here, I don't see much reason. We're the PFR with an uncapped range, and flopped middle pair, 2nd kicker, and the 3rd nut flush draw. If V wants to x/r, that's fine - we can call, given how much equity we have, and blocking top 2 and middle set.

I don't think we mind getting check-raised here all that much, unless it's too an absurd amount, in which case, we can make a trivial fold and lose the minimum.

I don't know if we should think of my advised play as exploitative with regards to this specific V, but I think it's fair to say it's exploitative of low-stakes recs in general.

I do think that betting is probably better against this specific V, with our specific hand, inasmuch as V is probably more likely to call flop and check turn, whereas if we check back flop, V might decide to start betting big on a turn brick, putting hero in an awkward spot.

Like, even if V is bluff-happy and capable of over-playing thin value, and will bet turn when we check back flop, our hand really isn't THAT strong, such that we'll want to call a huge turn bet followed by a river barrel. If V bets turn and river, maybe he's bluffing, but I doubt we'll be ahead of any hand he's over-valuing.

So I think we'd prefer to keep the betting lead and either make our hand or make him fold by the river.

Thanks to all!

Flop pot is 50 after rake. I made a mistake by cbetting too big, 40, on flop, thinking I am not that behind against even his range of made hands.

LJ check-raised to 145. I?

easy call

please dont tell me you jammed lol

Yep, that c-bet is way too big. Now the pot is getting too big for our hand when V x/r's.

This is now an awkward SPR to flat call. Assuming we're up against AX, we have 15 outs to improve to 2P, or trips, and don't really love the idea of flatting just to fold turn if he barrels for a huge amount, when the pot will be $340 and we'll only have $330 left.

It's jam or fold time. I think I lean towards a jam, against almost any V, because V should fold some weak AX combos, all his air, some better flush draws, and some higher 1P, if he ever gets here with TT-JJ.

Even if V has A6, we've got 39% equity, which is more than enough. Against A9, we've got 34.4%, which is still enough. We're flipping with all his other AX holdings and KXcc, if not slightly ahead.

Upswing poker coach Uri Peleg has made the case that every hand corresponds to an ideal pot size based on the hand's strength, and when the pot gets too big for our hand, we should consider turning a value hand into a bluff. I think this spot is a good example of that concept.

We've got enough equity to jam now. We won't have enough to call off a big bet or jam turn on a brick. So, jam, and be indifferent to a call or fold.

While I can see the argument for flatting, because this V will blast off with bluffs and thin value, and we've got tons of equity against that range, a jam denies a ton of equity when he folds, and wins the max when we're ahead or make our hand.

The hand is tricky because from your reads, I'm inferring two points about the Villain:

1. He's never folding Ax.
2. He'll bet if you show weakness.

The curious add-on is that the flop is literally a coin flip. However, the equities are going to change a lot on the turn, since a brick will drop you to a 2:1 dog with one card to come.

Consequently, we don't mind getting AI on the flop, but if the turn bricks we won't like facing a huge bet.

If the above two inferences about Villain are correct, I'm likely betting smallish on the flop, checking back the turn, and then evaluating the river if we don't flush and are left with a pair of nines, which seems like the cheapest way to get to the river.

I called the flop check-raise. Turn is a brick, like off-suit 3. He shoves all-in and I?

would usually bet 15 but i think given the read he likes to bluff if you check, i dont see much reason to bet the flop. betting big doesnt really make that much sense, he isn't going to fold a better hand to one bet, its pretty easy for him to defend, would rather bet small as it makes him continue a bunch of weird hands in theory, in practice he probably freaks out vs it in one way or another and you have unbelievable equity vs the weaker portions of his range so u want them to come along. would just check if hes going to be too aggressive vs flop x back though

hand is close in a vacuum ott, im open to folding in practice but would call absent reads suggesting otherwise

Preflop is fine - you're looking for good spots to get heads up against this opponent and in position with a playable hand is worth a go. Obviously you're not obliged to play Q9s but it's fine.

With a good flush draw and medium pair on an Ace-high board against an inelastic player I don't really see the need to bet here. You'd bet an Ace all day long but your 9 may well not be best, you might fold out most worse hands and if you have a read that he bluffs after racing a check back then you have an easy turn to play. The main argument for betting is to build the pot up for when you hit your flush, but if he has an Ace then getting money in shouldn't be a problem anyway.

I would now call down, particularly if this player is a bit wild. You are already ahead of a nut flush draw, are way ahead of other flush draws and air, and have equity against almost everything you're behind.

Whats your strategy for this kind of player? If your answer is I don't know that's your real answer.

What you're saying is that he'll call if you bet or bet if you check. He also plays most of his aces. If you check, he'll bet. Thus check. If you hit something don't let him off of the hook.