98s SB on 652r: Don't Lead Into Straights

Hero
9♦8♦
Position
SB vs BB
Pot
Single-Raised Pot
Flop
2♥ 5♠ 6♠

Checking is mandatory on turn cards that complete straights for the defender, especially when we only hold a gutshot.

Flop Analysis

Checking is the standard play here. While we have a range advantage, this low, connected board hits the BB's flatting range very well, making a high frequency of checking necessary to protect our range.

Flop Analysis

We have a gutshot to the nuts and two overcards. Getting 2.6:1, we have enough equity to peel one card and see if we can improve on the turn.

Turn Analysis

Leading into the aggressor (donking) here is a significant error. The 4d is a disastrous card for us as it completes many straights that the BB naturally has after calling the flop.

Note: Leading the turn is a mistake; the 4d completes straights (like 3x) that are much more prevalent in the BB's range than ours.

Turn Analysis

Once we are raised, our hand is a pure fold. We are drawing to a gutshot against a range that already contains many made straights and sets.

Key Concepts

  • Multi-Street Play
  • Neutral Range
  • OOP
  • Wet Board
  • LEAN TOWARD CHECK