Limit Texas Holdem Quiz #26, Question One

[Matt]

You are in the cutoff position with Q:diamonds:10:diamonds: . The player to your right has posted a late-position blind. Everyone folds to him, he checks, and you raise. The small blind folds and the big blind calls. The late-position blind also calls. The pot contains 6.5 small bets. The flop comes 8:diamonds: 3:diamonds: 8:clubs:, giving you the third-nut flush draw and a backdoor straight flush draw. The big blind checks, the next player bets, and you raise. Assuming that this is the correct play, what is the best reason for raising?

[Nima]

It achieves both A and B. But A is a much better reason to make the raise here.

You are paying an extra small bet to save one big bet on the turn. Also, if you don't hit on the turn and the bettor raises, most of the time you can call profitably anymore.


Raise to get a free card on the turn.

Cheers,

[Matt]

Nima is correct. You don't really mind if the big blind sticks around. In fact, you could argue that just calling is the better play because keeping him in the hand could improve your implied odds if you hit your flush.

Because the board is paired and because your overcards are relatively low, your draw isn't that strong. Your chances of backdooring a straight flush are remote. Even if you pick up a straight draw on the turn, it will only be a gutshot draw.

Raise for a free card and hope to see the river cheaply.