As of November 2021, the APT Forum is closed to new posts. Like with many online forums, usage has decreased in recent years. All previous posts are still available.
Should I have called the $21 raise?
mikec420
I didn't think calling was a good move with only a pair of 9's.
Comments
As played leading is generally non optimal. One might lead intending to jam over a raise with say a pair+flush draw on this board. As we see when leading hero can get blown off his equity with nothing by villain.
Imo hero should check with the intention to check raise and get value from flush draws, str8 draws, lesser 9s and so on.
Me: I play more assertively than some so I do not like a call. I raise with top pair, 2nd kicker. A call lets all villains stay in at their price. Then we are taking a turn 4 ways with lots of bad cards that could come for hero.
So my answer is no. Don't call. Raise or fold. Having said I would raise, I don't hate a fold here. If we return to the original raise pre suggestion, villains can have better on this board easily since hero checked pre.
It would be a tight fold but the safe play. Calling is the worst option. The pot is growing and hero is still OOP and in the dark about villains' holdings.
My2c
I felt stuck here and called because I thought I should play but couldn't reason things out like you did here. This is very helpful to me in terms of seeing how you go through your thought process. Thanks very much.