Quiz #5

[Matt]

You open-raise from the button in a five-handed game with A:spades:K:clubs:. Both blinds call. You have no read on the small blind, but you know that the big blind is extremely loose. He will defend his blind with any ace, any pocket pair, most suited cards, and various other hands. The flop comes 5:hearts: A:clubs: K:spades:. Both players check, you bet, and they both call. The turn is the 2:hearts:. Both players again check to you. You bet and only the big blind calls. The river is the 7:hearts:. The big blind bets out. What do you do?

[Nima]

I would raise, I think he is more likely to have two pair than having flush, if it gets three bet, I will just call crying

[MJPerry]

Easiest raise in the world?

[Matt]

Easiest raise in the world?

Not quite. Think about the hands your opponent might have played this way--i.e., call, check-call, check-call, bet. Also think of how much you profit when he calls vs. how much you may lose when he three-bets. I think calling and raising are both fine. Folding is obviously out of the question.

Our decision would be easier if we could classify our opponent as aggressive or passive. The correct play is less obvious against someone in between.

I'll write more later.