Turn Semi-Bluff Jam Good?
Turn Semi-Bluff Jam Good?

Turn Semi-Bluff Jam Good?

1/2 live, $160 effective
Hero is on the BTN with JTo.

SB is very loose/aggressive (called a $350 all in with KQ suited).

Preflop:
SB raises to $15, UTG+2 calls, Hero calls on the BTN.

Pot: $47
Flop: Q-9-3 rainbow
SB checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero bets $30, UTG+2 calls, SB calls.
Pot: $137
Turn: 7
SB checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero jams for about $115 effective.

Question:
Is the turn jam good here with an OESD and less than a pot-sized shove left, or is checking back better?

22 March 2026 at 07:34 AM
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5 Replies



You can't VPIP this hand at all when you're 80BB effective. Ever.

Q9x is a very "action-y" flop. Huge portions of people's ranges will make some connection with this board. C-betting here is pointless. You won't get folds often enough.

Once you're called twice, it's time to give up. You've seen the SB make light calls before. He probably isn't folding Qx now.


Recently read a Mike Caro article recently that said when you bet (the straight draw on the flop) all you’re doing is charging yourself to connect, when you could have payed nothing.

This looks like something I used to do, but now need more nuance.

Short stack play, you really got no business playing JTo. You could end up with your stack riding on Jack high.

To answer this puzzle it’s very necessary to know villain’s stack sizes. If someone is a LAG with a thousand + in this spot, he may overcall. He seriously has that history already and you really want a fold with this line.

With a 17% chance of connecting on the river and a villain that likes to call, the jam is probably a bad move.


Thanks everyone, at the end they both folded, I just thought hands that could beat me like 9, 7 or a pocket pair could fold, but yeah maybe I shouldn't have play that hand, the position kind of make me think it was a good idea.


I gather you limp/called the button with JTo. That is pretty bad. The limp behind is questionable, but maybe not terrible. However, you have to fold to the raise.

It is an actiony flop, so maybe better to check behind on the flop and take a free card. I can see betting in position though, as you might take it when no one else seems interested and they will likely check to you on the turn, giving you a free river card if you want one.

On the turn, you can still take a free card. However, I like the shove. With its chance of getting through and equity if called, it may be the best play.

Could be misplayed at all 4 decision points. Calling the raise preflop is the worst play. Flop and turn can be defended. You play like some typical low stakes recreational players, so the posts are interesting in a way.


Honestly, I would have played flop and turn the same way. I am not surprised to shove got folds against loose passives who call preflop and flop too light.

Preflop is really questionable, and looks like donk plays. Offsuit unpaired cards worse than KJ/AT are generally unplayable. Limping behind with whatever on the button isn't that terrible, but having put in 2, you have to fold to 15. I know most people at low stakes don't limp/fold much.

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