A8o on K♣ 8♠ 3♥, checked to you — bet or check?
The answer
Bet
small value bet
Best size: ⅓ pot · $4
The math: Second pair with an ace kicker — worse pairs, king-x floats and draws all still call, and the overcards want a free card.
Why
You raised pre and flopped second pair with the best possible kicker, and that's plenty to bet. Smaller pairs still call, plenty of king-x hands float you, and draws come along too, so you collect thin value from a stack of worse holdings. Betting also charges the overcards to your eight and denies them the free card they'd need to outrun you. A small value-and-protection c-bet beats checking and letting this flop go by for nothing.
The spot
- Your seat
- BTN
- Stakes and stacks
- $1 / $2 · 100bb
- Your hand
- A♦ 8♣
- Board
- K♣ 8♠ 3♥
- Pot
- POT · $12
- Action on you
- BB checks
Every option
Checktake a free card
Why not: Checking leaves money on the table: worse pairs and king-x hands that would pay a bet get in for free, and the overcards you're beating get a cheap card to pass you.
Betsmall value betCorrect
⅓ pot · $4 · ⅔ pot · $8 · pot · $12
The idea behind it
A made pair is usually worth a bet even when it isn't top pair. If worse pairs, weak king-x hands, and draws will call, you're getting thin value, and the bet also denies live overcards the free card they need to pass your pair.
Concept: Thin value
Terms in this spot
Play it instead of reading it
The trainer deals this hand with hints, grading and spaced repetition — and randomized variations of it once you have seen it.