Flop Analysis
Auto-played to reach this drill spot — you didn't act here, so it isn't scored.
We should lead the river for value with our top pair after the action goes check-check on the flop and turn.
Auto-played to reach this drill spot — you didn't act here, so it isn't scored.
Checking is correct. While we improved to two pair on the paired board, we also picked up a flush draw, making this a high-equity hand that functions well as a check-call.
Betting is preferred over checking here. After HJ checks back twice, their range is capped, and we can target worse Kings or pocket pairs for value. **Ranges:** HJ's range is heavily condensed into medium-strength hands like pocket 77-99 or weak Ax after checking back flop and turn. By betting, we force these hands to make a decision rather than letting them check behind for free. **Sizing:** A medium sizing of 3BB (67% pot) is effective here. It is large enough to get value from hands like KT or K9 while being small enough to potentially induce a crying call from a pocket pair. --- > **Takeaway:** When the preflop aggressor checks back twice, their range is capped; use this opportunity to lead for value with your top-tier marginal hands.
Once we check and face an overbet, we must call. Our hand is too high in our range to fold, even if the board has become slightly more coordinated. **Math:** We need roughly 36% equity to call against this 124% pot overbet. Given the line, HJ can have some missed spade draws or turned heart draws that are now forced to bluff. **Blockers:** Our Kh is a double-edged sword; it blocks some of HJ's missed heart draws (like AhQh), but our lack of a spade is actually good as it leaves all of HJ's missed spade bluffs in their range. **Plan:** Against an overbet, we are purely bluff-catching. We lose to flushes and slow-played sets, but we beat all air and thin value bets like KQ or KJ that HJ might finally decide to bet. --- > **Takeaway:** Don't fold top pair in a pot that was checked twice just because the villain finally bets big; you are often at the top of your checking range.