1/2/5: Scary donkbet spot with 88 — what’s the move?
UTG opens to $20
UTG1 (reg) flats
I flat on the button with 88
Blinds fold — 3 to the flop (~$65)
Flop: Q64 rainbow
Both players check to me
I bet $30, both call
Turn: 5 (brings backdoor flush draw)
UTG checks
UTG1 (the reg) donkbets $45
Stacks are $500+ effective.
This donkbet felt strong and kind of froze me. It’s a weird line after check-calling the flop — I wasn’t sure if it’s a block bet, protection, or setting up a river shove. What’s the best approach here? Flat, raise, or just muck and live to fight another day?
Would love some thoughts on this turn dynamic and how you’d proceed.
3 Replies
Flop bet can be smaller ($20ish) and still accomplish the goal of denying equity.
Turn is a snap fold; the line does not make much sense, but:
1) you are multiway, so bluffing frequencies are reduced
2) you have plenty of Qx and some flushdraws with which to continue
3) your specific hand suffers from poor reverse-implied odds
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I don't think you can fold with 6 outs against any likely set. Though it wouldn't be that crazy for him to have qq, it's reduced.
People do tend to go from slow playing to betting on scare cards like this. It is a pretty strange line to check after the pfr checks, banking on you betting, then no CR after 2 calls.
Won't be surprised at all if turns up with a set, but that's far from certain. You have position and outs so call.
You'll also look pretty strong and have lots of info otr.
Flop bet is a bit too big - multi-way, responsibility of defense is shared among multiple players. So there is a much stronger effect of isolating yourself vs stronger hands when you size up.
As played, regardless of how much he's bluffing, i think the donk is too small to be folding a hand like 88. So i would just call and see what develops on the river.
