$1/2 6 max NL: 3-bet, check-fold?

When I play I try to think of my spot as much as possible. The combination of the cards, the players, the dynamic at the table, positions, bet sizings - all coming together to create a unique spot.

And this is one that I rarely find myself in, so I'm wondering if I played it optimally. I think I did.

UTG: 67
UTG +1: 70
CO: 202
BTN: 211
SB: 257
BB (Hero): 478

I'm holding AcQh

Fold, fold, CO limps in for 2, BTN raises to 6, SB calls, I 3-bet to 24, CO calls, BTN folds, SB calls.

So my initial thought is that CO cold calling my 3-bet is really odd. The CO is probably the best player at the table and can play a bit tricky. But I don't think I'm up against a big pair or AK. That table is reasonably aggressive and I think he would standard open that, or at the very least come over the top - plus I'm blocking an Ace and a Queen. So I think he wants to play multiway in position and put him on suited connector kind of hands, or possibly a set mining hand. Something where he can expect to hit the flop hard or find a bluff. I have no idea what the SB is in with but I imagine it's something of similar ilk, like a KQs kind of hand - and now he's just along for the ride because he feels he's getting the right price.

Flop - rake - $75

7d 10d 2d

I hate this flop. Given the range of hands I'm likely to have the only nutty hands are Ad Kd, Ad Qd, Kd Qd, AA with a diamond, KK with a diamond. Everything is else is a vulnerable hand on this board. And if I were just against the CO, I would be fine with this. But because I have no real idea what the SB is in with, Ace combos with a big diamond are in his range.

So given the spot I'm in, I actually think the best line here is to check-fold.

Checks to me, I check, CO checks. Now, I would think any made flush or any diamond draw would bet here. But I'm not totally comfortable because the SB could be looking for a C-R, and the CO could be disguising his hand (he did limp-call a 3-bet pre flop). I feel a little better about my hand, but not much.

8 of spades peels on the turn. SB checks to me. I consider putting in a bet but I'm not sure I believably rep any value hands at this point, so I think the only hands I fold are missed drawing hands that don't have diamonds, ie, stuff I'm already beating. So I check as well. CO bets half pot exactly.

And I think at this point if I did have any sort of show down value I would consider a call or a raise. But I really don't. This half pot bet actually looks fairly strong to me because with two of us in I think the CO is begging for a call. SB folds. I opt to fold as well.


Weird hand. And I know it makes me look like a super passive player. But I actually think I took the best line here.


Thoughts?

Seems like an easy c/f you have no peel equity with you back draws, few foods wtc.

Sometimes the best play is weak passive and its live as well

Soon as you check that flop... I wouldn't even consider coming back into the hand.

That moment you don't cbet your giving up... You said the best player on the table is in the hand, well you gave up. Stick with that decision!

Question you need to ask before you cbet.

Your table image? The better the image the more folds you will get in this spot meaning you should've cbet.

So generally pots i'll cbet at are dry boards and also these type of flops because if they don't have the suit they are more likely to fold even if they have a 10... And these great players will make these folds because they know they 'might be infront now but by the river will be way behind and burning money.

So typically cbet.

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Playing fit/fold on the flop is a common leak of most players and that is why aggressiveness is so effective. Now think of other hands that would call? medium pockets. 10x hands perhaps a lot of broadways we are infront as well.
Flushes are less likely in a 3bet pot.

Someone has a set or 2pair on flop or a flush we would've heard about it.

Broadways would float and baby pairs. And some weird draws.

So cbetting I believe could be for value because we are ahead of a lot of their range like broadways and the Ax nutty flush draws and Kx nutty flush draws.

So now given we know what hands are calling.. The turn card most likely doesn't help the hands we crush and only a smaller amount of hands that beat us.

Anyways I know this is messy but hope you get something out of it.

Also think about these good players in the hand and generally if they make you feel like you should fold. Ocassionally its not a bad thing to do something totally the opposite. I'm not saying this is the spot but I'm saying good players make you feel like you should fold when you shouldn't.

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1/2 bet looks weak and just wants to collect the dead money but that given a lot of 2 paired hands and straights come into play now. So if he's draws hit now and you think he's strong then your cbet would've worked as long as the other guy folded.