$2 NLHE 6-max: QQ on 9h9dTd - C-bet for Value or Protection?

Villian Stats (VPIP/PFR/AF): 25/14/1

1. what size c-bet are you comfortable with on this board?
2. should hero be focusing more on c-betting for value or to 'bluff off' (force a fold)
3. hero in real time saw villain folds 61% on flop bet, and wanted to just end the hand there because lots of draws - so hero pot bets. thoughts?

You can't really force ending on that board, except against hands that you are really much ahead already and don't want them to go away.

Typically paired boards are check or small bet, small bet gives you opportunity to bluff cheaply too. Here maybe larger bet is in order, but your sizing is tad too large imo.

Let say villain has 8dJd, what are his chances to improve to better on the turn? He has 12 outs = 24% to improve, surprisingly little.

I prefer 3/4.Potsize would be a hint u have monster hand.

Your objective here should be to risk the least while denying odds to drawing hands imo. A half pot bet should achieve that. If you get called, you can bet turn blanks without risking too much again.


What is your plan if your pot sized bet gets called? Are you going to check and give a free card? or are you going to bet into what is often a 9 (because that's the hand that should call pot sized bet)?

Gildog89 said:

Your objective here should be to risk the least while denying odds to drawing hands imo. A half pot bet should achieve that. If you get called, you can bet turn blanks without risking too much again.


What is your plan if your pot sized bet gets called? Are you going to check and give a free card? or are you going to bet into what is often a 9 (because that's the hand that should call pot sized bet)?

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great way of looking at it, but i fell (as a novice) that any call is a sign of strength on that board because of all the potential draws as well

I'm pretty novice myself, so take my thoughts as such.

If your read of a call as strength means you will check back the turn, then you are giving villain's draws 2 cards for 1 pot size bet on the flop. V's call becomes marginally correct if they feel they have some implied odds too. The pot size bet might get rid if some gut-shot draws, but wouldn't you rather a gut-shot incorrectly calls a half pot bet? So IMHO, you can get more protection and more value from half potting the flop and half potting again on the turn.

Also, if you check the turn, V can easily semi bluff draws to represent a 9 and put you in a really tough spot where you have to lay down your over pair.