Flop Analysis
Checking range from the small blind in a 3-way pot as the preflop caller is mandatory; with second pair and a backdoor flush draw we have a clear check and decide, never a donk bet.
Defending 88 pre and on the flop is fine, but facing a big turn barrel with only second pair and poor equity realization we’re generally supposed to keep calling, especially versus a wide, aggressive BU.
Checking range from the small blind in a 3-way pot as the preflop caller is mandatory; with second pair and a backdoor flush draw we have a clear check and decide, never a donk bet.
Calling the BU c‑bet with second pair and a backdoor flush draw is defensible, but in this 3‑way configuration it’s close and should not be an automatic peel. **Ranges:** BU has all strong Qx, overpairs, sets, strong draws and some air; our continuing range multiway should be tighter, folding a chunk of marginal second‑pair hands without overcards or strong backdoors. With the limper behind, we also risk calls/raises from sets, strong Qx and heart draws, which lowers our equity realization. **Math:** We’re getting about 2.5:1 and need ~29% equity. Versus a wide BU c‑bet range heads‑up, second pair + backdoor flush easily meets that; in a 3‑way pot with another range behind and worse realization from SB, our effective equity is much closer to the threshold. **Plan:** When we do call here, we should already be prepared to fold a lot to big turn barrels on non-improving cards, since we’ll arrive at the turn with a capped, medium‑strength range. --- > **Takeaway:** Multiway, be more selective with marginal second pairs OOP, even when raw pot odds look attractive.
Note: Flop call is slightly too loose for a 3‑way pot from SB; second pair plus backdoor draw performs worse than it appears once we factor in the player behind and poor equity realization.
Checking turn with second pair on this low card is standard; our hand is a bluff‑catcher at best and we don’t benefit from turning it into a bluff or thin value bet.
Folding to the two‑thirds pot turn barrel is too tight; second pair with a reasonable kicker and good price should usually continue when ranges are still fairly wide. **Ranges:** BU can value‑bet Qx, overpairs and some strong draws, but will also barrel a lot of hands like A5, 56, gutshots, backdoor overcard combos and underpairs (77–55) after c‑betting flop. Our range contains a lot of A‑high and worse pairs, so if we fold 88 here our defending range becomes heavily under‑protected. **Math:** We’re getting about 2.5:1 and need ~28% equity. Against a BU iso range plus natural bluffs (missed overcards, straight draws, some heart draws), second pair comfortably clears this equity threshold, especially with no river bet paid when the runout is terrible. **Plan:** The plan after calling turn is not to station every river: call reasonable bets on bricks and clear improvements, but fold to large polar river bets on cards that favor BU’s strong value (hearts, 5, 6, A) when we don’t improve. --- > **Takeaway:** Versus wide, aggressive BU ranges, second pair getting a good price on the turn should usually call once more and only fold to strong river aggression on bad runouts.
Note: Turn fold gives up too much equity versus a wide BU barreling range when we are getting strong pot odds with second pair.