33 BB on A65r: Underpair Bluff Catching

Hero
3♦3♥
Position
BB vs CO
Pot
Single-Raised Pot
Flop
5♥ 6♠ A♠

We defend a small pocket pair preflop and navigate a wet Ace-high board by check-calling a small flop bet and realizing our equity.

Flop Analysis

Checking is the only play here. As the caller, we lack the range advantage on an Ace-high texture and must play our entire range defensively.

Flop Analysis

We should call this small continuation bet. While our underpair is vulnerable, the price is too good to fold against a wide CO range that contains many airballs and draws.

Turn Analysis

Checking is correct after the turn brings a straight possibility. We have picked up a gutshot draw, but our hand remains a marginal bluff-catcher that wants to see a cheap river.

River Analysis

The second Ace is a great card for our range. It makes it less likely Villain has an Ace and reduces the value of their middle pairs, making a check-check showdown very likely.

Key Concepts

  • Multi-Street Play
  • Villain Slight Advantage
  • OOP
  • Wet Board
  • LEAN TOWARD CHECK