87s BB on 984r: Don’t Fold All That Equity

Hero
8♥7♥
Position
BB vs SB
Pot
Limped Pot
Flop
9♥ 4♦ 8♠

Preflop and flop are standard; the turn fold with second pair + open-ender versus a 2/3 pot bet gives up too much equity.

Flop Analysis

Calling the flop donk is correct — we have second pair with additional equity and are getting a good price in a multiway pot. **Ranges:** SB donking into two players on this texture is usually weighted to top pair+, strong draws, and some semi-bluffs; our second pair comfortably beats all their bluffs and weaker pairs while not being dead versus value. **Board:** Very dry and low; our hand is near the top of our limp-check range here and not vulnerable to many bad turn cards besides overcards and some straight-completers. **Math:** We are getting 2:1 and need ~33% equity; second pair plus backdoor potential has well above this versus a range that still contains some air and weaker made hands. --- > **Takeaway:** With a solid made hand and a good price, especially multiway, we should continue and realize our equity rather than over-folding to a single donk.

Turn Analysis

Folding turn is too tight — second pair plus an open-ended straight draw getting about 2:1 should almost always continue versus this sizing. **Board:** The ten is a bad card in that it improves SB’s top-pair region and completes some straights, but it also upgrades our hand from just a pair on the flop to a pair plus eight outs to a straight, so our raw equity actually jumps. **Math:** Facing 10.9 into 21.9 we need ~33% equity; second pair + open-ender versus a reasonable betting range (Tx, overpairs, sets, straights, and some bluffs/draws) has comfortably more than that, making a fold a clear EV loss. **Equity Realization:** SPR is still ~3.5 and we are out of position, but with this much equity and a hand that improves to the effective nuts on some rivers, calling and playing rivers straightforwardly (check-fold bricks to big bets, continue/improve on good cards) is superior. --- > **Takeaway:** When holding a made hand plus a strong draw and getting around 2:1, we should usually call and realize our equity rather than folding to a single turn barrel.

Note: Turn fold with second pair + open-ended straight draw versus a 2/3 pot bet is too tight; the hand has well above the equity needed to continue.