On a very connected flop, top pair with a backdoor flush draw should usually check or use a small c-bet; once HJ 3-bets and BU calls, folding is too tight—calling or jamming performs better.
Flop Jc-7c-9h, three-way, SPR ≈3.5: we have top pair with a backdoor flush draw on a very connected, draw-heavy board. Solver leans toward a lot of checking here, with some small bets; our 4.4BB c-bet is a bit big and slightly overplays the hand. Checking or using a small c-bet would be more efficient with this hand class.
Note: C-betting 4.4BB on this draw-heavy board is slightly too big; checking or using a small c-bet with top pair + backdoor flush draw is preferred.
After we bet 4.4BB, HJ 3-bets to 89BB and BU calls, making the pot ~150BB. We’re getting about 2.8:1, needing ~26.6% equity. Multiway, ranges tighten and our equity drops, but top pair + backdoor flush still has enough equity to continue. Solver prefers calling or shoving over folding here; folding gives up too much equity versus a strong but not invulnerable range.
Note: Folding to the 3-bet and BU call is too tight; with top pair and a backdoor flush draw, we should continue by calling or jamming rather than folding.