That's actually one of the easier boards to command. I've been out of the loop for awhile, but my statements are still valid, though you'll need to estimate a bit.
Okay, memory serves, you will only hit the flop just over 30% of the time and that's for a pair. So, in situations like the one you described, you need to raise to figure out where you stand as opposed to calling down.
This serves 2 basic functions among many others:
1 - Gives you fold
equity in addition to the cards you hold
2 - Prices your opponent out of the Pot
3 - Exploits position
Number 1 can and will work against you if you indulge too often. For instance, if you're playing against either tight and fundamentally sound players who rarely
bluff, people who are running well or players who have developed an allergic reaction to the fold button then you have practically zero fold equity in these situations except maybe with the tight player who has common sense that missed and was simply following protocol with a c bet. However many of these players even bleed chips when it comes to being raised, so you'll need some hand history to determine if its worth while in that the turn bet is where most of your equity is assuming they are bleeders. If you're not betting the turn after raising then fold because you're letting them draw out on you for free and playing a weak game. That's horrible for your table image which is a direct reflection of your game.
You're literally throwing your
bankroll away by spewing chips. Think of an oil leak in your bank roll that goes by unnoticed, that'd be your win rate. When the mechanics of your roll are running smoothly, you can focus on the drive and steer better. This directly compensates for when you inevitably make a bad call, bad bluff or overplay your hand which you will have to do from time to time to gain information like in the situation you described.
Number2 in combination with
Number 1 give you a huge edge both immediately and long term. If they have either AQ AJ or QJ, assuming they missed the K, then by raising you increase the
odds of them folding and find out where you stand while forcing them to pay 3:1 to draw to a 6 outer which is just under 13% to happen at over 6.5:1 against. This is very good for you.
Also, unless they hit their Ace then a turn bet should scare them out of the pot because either a Q or J is garbage against what you're representing on a board like that. So, really, whether they know it or not, they're drawing to a 3 outer which has a 6% shot at 14.5:1 while paying 3:1.
Unless they are comfortable guessing with an undercard in a Q or J on the turn, against your aggression and hand strength representation with a K showing on the rainbow board, you got it. If they call the turn then you're checking the river because they either have A-J at this point, flopped a set are terrible. No worries because as established, you're WAY ahead in this scenario, long term.
Number 3 is the icing on the cake as your both statistical and psychological edge that puts you in control. Used in conjuncture with #'s 1 and 2, this makes you a demigod and generates action, great for table dynamic.
Hope this helps, and please correct me if I'm missing something. I'm getting back into the mix and need to sharpen up a bit refresh my memory.