Flop Analysis
Auto-played to reach this drill spot — you didn't act here, so it isn't scored.
We must call the river check-raise after turning top pair; folding is too tight given the pot odds and our hand strength.
Auto-played to reach this drill spot — you didn't act here, so it isn't scored.
Checking back is the standard play. We have high-card value and a gutshot, but betting into a range that contains many small pairs and straights is unnecessary. We prefer to realize our equity for free.
Betting for value is correct once we hit the Ace. We have a clear range advantage and want to get paid by worse Ax or pocket pairs that don't believe we have it. **Sizing:** The 75% pot sizing is reasonable, though solver leans toward either a small block or a full pot overbet to polarize. By betting 6.3BB, we target hands like A8s or 9x that are looking for a reason to call. **Ranges:** Villain's range is heavily weighted toward missed high cards and weak pairs like 5x or 4x after checking three streets. Our Ace is almost always the best hand here. --- > **Takeaway:** When the overcard hits on the river after a checked turn, bet for value to capitalize on your range advantage.
Folding here is a significant mistake. We have top pair with a strong kicker and are getting excellent pot odds to call a min-raise that often looks like a desperate bluff or thin value. **Math:** We are getting 2.2:1 on a call, meaning we only need to be right about 32% of the time. Given that Villain can be overplaying a weaker Ace or turning a hand like 88 into a bluff, we have more than enough equity. **Blockers:** Holding the Ad is actually a slight negative as it blocks some of Villain's diamond-draw bluffs, but we still beat all their bluffs and split with many of their value hands like AJ/AT. **Plan:** In shallow SPR spots (0.5 here), we are effectively committed once we hit top pair on the river. Folding allows Villain to print money by check-raising any two cards. --- > **Takeaway:** Don't fold top pair to a min-raise when the SPR is low and the pot odds are favorable; you are too high in your range to fold.
Note: Folding top pair getting 2.2:1 odds is too tight; we must call to prevent Villain from profitably bluffing their missed draws.