What do you do? 30NL

CRStals · Dec 31, 2025

So brief contact:
Villain was a hyper aggressive LAG that I just stacked with a flipped set versus their open ended straight draw that never improved. I'll reveal my action, reasoning and result after we get a few responses to this:

pokerstars Hand #259114819923: Hold'em No Limit ($0.15/$0.30 CAD) - 2025/12/31 9:22:41 ET
Table 'Meges III' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: TheSpecialOne82 ($25.94 in chips)
Seat 3: riverratfz1 ($16.81 in chips)
Seat 4: CRStals ($47.67 in chips)
Seat 5: carpaolo ($21.75 in chips)
CRStals: posts small blind $0.15
carpaolo: posts big blind $0.30
TheSpecialOne82: posts small blind $0.15
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to CRStals [Qh Qs]
TheSpecialOne82: raises $0.90 to $1.20
riverratfz1: folds
CRStals: raises $3.60 to $4.80
carpaolo: folds
TheSpecialOne82: calls $3.60
*** FLOP *** [Th 2d 7s]

Hero's move?

Tero · Dec 31, 2025

CRStals said:
CRStals: posts small blind $0.15
carpaolo: posts big blind $0.30
TheSpecialOne82: posts small blind $0.15

I'm seeing two small blinds

But, kinda dry flop so maybe incentivize the LAG to raise with a small, weak looking bet?

najisami · Jan 1, 2026

CRStals said:
Hero's move?

Seeing 2 SBs too!

Since villain is an aggressive LAG and considering the texture of that flop, a 1/3 pot bet could make him try to steal.
But a check/raise is also an acceptable approach IMO.

Kasztor007 · Jan 1, 2026

For such a dry A-high flop, I would prefer a small c-bet against a hyperaggressive LAG (about 1/3 of the pot). This can seem weak enough to trigger bluffs or raises while still being able to control the pot. The check/raise is also viable, but in my opinion this is a higher variance line.

fundiver199 · Jan 1, 2026

Preflop
Pretty standard 3-bet, I like the sizing. Its worth noting, he opened to 4BB, which is a bit unusual online. With the information given about the Villain I would mostly read this as him just splashing around, so it would not change my 3-betting range. It does however mean, that any 4-bet more or less commit you to the pot, especially since he did not start with a full 100BB stack. So I would already think ahead here and decide, that i am getting it in against any 4-bet.

Flop
I would make a small C-bet for value here against pretty much everyone. And against a LAG I would still be willing to stack off against a raise. He would probably have 4-bet KK or AA preflop, so you pretty much only lose to TT and maybe occationally 22 or 77, if he flat that preflop. And if he has that, then good for him.

Goggelheimer · Jan 1, 2026

Standard line as the PFA IP is a B33 c-bet, you have the option trying to push them out of the pot by a large bet (B75) this may depend on player type and history, and also do you want to play a big pot here, setting up the SPR for an AI.
Overpair on a rainbow flop with potential straight draws (gutters and open enders), way behind vs sets, better overpairs.

As always it depends.

Double SB may be a dead post from a new player at the table.

puzzlefish · Jan 1, 2026

Has he 3bet and 4bet lightly in the past?

Bet 1/3 and start applying the lube I guess

Station_Master · Jan 1, 2026

Small cbet for value and to potentially induce is probably best. Check looking to check raise is ok but he is likely to fold. Check call if he bets big could be ok too. I think small cbet is best

eetenor · Jan 1, 2026

CRStals said:
So brief contact:
Villain was a hyper aggressive LAG that I just stacked with a flipped set versus their open ended straight draw that never improved. I'll reveal my action, reasoning and result after we get a few responses to this:

PokerStars Hand #259114819923: Hold'em No Limit ($0.15/$0.30 CAD) - 2025/12/31 9:22:41 ET
Table 'Meges III' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: TheSpecialOne82 ($25.94 in chips)
Seat 3: riverratfz1 ($16.81 in chips)
Seat 4: CRStals ($47.67 in chips)
Seat 5: carpaolo ($21.75 in chips)
CRStals: posts small blind $0.15
carpaolo: posts big blind $0.30
TheSpecialOne82: posts small blind $0.15
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to CRStals [Qh Qs]
TheSpecialOne82: raises $0.90 to $1.20
riverratfz1: folds
CRStals: raises $3.60 to $4.80
carpaolo: folds
TheSpecialOne82: calls $3.60
*** FLOP *** [Th 2d 7s]

Hero's move?

Vs a LAG we want them to attack with the more of their range-- a LAG losing with open ended says nothing about their skill level -we cannot fold on flop to a weak LAG if they have sets so be it.--- giving a free card to their random Ax Kx J9 gutties etc etc is not the most profitable action- a solid LAG checks back flop attacking on turn when good cards hit J 9 8 7 A and folds their weaker combos when we lead on nothing cards like 2-5

Pot is 10ish they have 22- Lags need to think they can get us to fold so we bet flop 20% pot letting them jam thinking they have fold equity- if they see the 20% as more trap less fold then we choose a slightly larger sizing 35% at most- that looks like we are hoping for a fold to induce them to attack. If they are solid LAG larger flop bets condense their range negatively for our hand and we lose value from hands like Ax that would have chased.

Station_Master · Jan 1, 2026

eetenor said:
Vs a LAG we want them to attack with the more of their range-- a LAG losing with open ended says nothing about their skill level -we cannot fold on flop to a weak LAG if they have sets so be it.--- giving a free card to their random Ax Kx J9 gutties etc etc is not the most profitable action- a solid LAG checks back flop attacking on turn when good cards hit J 9 8 7 A and folds their weaker combos when we lead on nothing cards like 2-5

Pot is 10ish they have 22- Lags need to think they can get us to fold so we bet flop 20% pot letting them jam thinking they have fold equity- if they see the 20% as more trap less fold then we choose a slightly larger sizing 35% at most- that looks like we are hoping for a fold to induce them to attack. If they are solid LAG larger flop bets condense their range negatively for our hand and we lose value from hands like Ax that would have chased.

They are not a solid LAG as they dont have a full stack. I imagine they are an agrofish.

CRStals · Jan 1, 2026

Station_Master said:
They are not a solid LAG as they dont have a full stack. I imagine they are an agrofish.

Agreed. But I didn't call them solid... They only bought back in fire 87.5BB when they lost the all in hand to me only a few hands before.

Only other context I'll add - they like being the river large with marginal hands. Didn't have a ton of history on them but enough to make me think that between their style to date and the fact I thought they were tilting, there was a possibility of them getting the river all in

CRStals · Jan 1, 2026

OK so let's colour the rest of the picture in...

2 hands previous to this one, this went down:
PokerStars Hand #259114804254: Hold'em No Limit ($0.15/$0.30 CAD) - 2025/12/31 9:21:03 ET
Table 'Meges III' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: xxsnaillyxx ($45.76 in chips)
Seat 2: TheSpecialOne82 ($14.79 in chips)
Seat 3: riverratfz1 ($12 in chips)
Seat 4: CRStals ($30 in chips)
Seat 5: carpaolo ($23.70 in chips)
Seat 6: skiereric1990 ($8.52 in chips)
carpaolo: posts small blind $0.15
skiereric1990: posts big blind $0.30
riverratfz1: posts big blind $0.30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to CRStals [Th Tc]
xxsnaillyxx: folds
TheSpecialOne82: raises $1.05 to $1.35
riverratfz1: folds
CRStals: calls $1.35
carpaolo: calls $1.20
skiereric1990: calls $1.05
*** FLOP *** [Td 8c Js]
carpaolo: checks
xxsnaillyxx leaves the table
skiereric1990: bets $2.70
TheSpecialOne82: raises $10.74 to $13.44 and is all-in
CRStals: raises $10.74 to $24.18
carpaolo: folds
skiereric1990: calls $4.47 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($10.74) returned to CRStals
*** TURN *** [Td 8c Js] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [Td 8c Js 3c] [Ts]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TheSpecialOne82: shows [9h 9c] (two pair, Tens and Nines)
CRStals: shows [Th Tc] (four of a kind, Tens)
CRStals collected $11.85 from side pot
skiereric1990: shows [Jh Qd] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
CRStals collected $25.71 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $39.75 Main pot $25.71. Side pot $11.85. | Rake $2.19
Board [Td 8c Js 3c Ts]
Seat 1: xxsnaillyxx folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: TheSpecialOne82 showed [9h 9c] and lost with two pair, Tens and Nines
Seat 3: riverratfz1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: CRStals (button) showed [Th Tc] and won ($37.56) with four of a kind, Tens
Seat 5: carpaolo (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: skiereric1990 (big blind) showed [Jh Qd] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens

I had been playing pots carefully pre-flop with him because of his hyper aggressive nature to that point - but when this went down and he got stacked, I felt that the opportunity was upon me to REALLY put him on tilt. He bought back for 87.5BB, and then this went down.

I've never EVER done this before - but when the flop hit, my mind said "Shove - he'll call with worse, he'll think you're bullying him and he won't stand for it". Thinking he'd want a chance to win back his stack plus, and doing it on a somewhat wet board, I went OK:

CRStals: bets $21
TheSpecialOne82: calls $20.99 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($0.01) returned to CRStals
*** TURN *** [Th 2d 7s] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Th 2d 7s 2c] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CRStals: shows [Qh Qs] (two pair, Queens and Deuces)
TheSpecialOne82: shows [Tc Jc] (two pair, Tens and Deuces)

Was I surprised to see him calling a 3B with JTcc - not really. What did surprise me was his willingness to call off TPGK aganist someone who had not showed a bad hand to date, and had really only lost 2 hands in the session for substantial money - 5BB+ - Needless to say, I know this was a bad play in general but against this opponent, in that spot, with that flop, it felt like the right move to maximize my shot at getting his stack - which it did.

Side note - I don't know why the text said the small blimd was posted twice...I don't recall that but somehow we got an extra 1/2 blind in there...

My question now - have you ever had a moment where your mind said to do something outrageous or out of character and been right to doing it?

GiggleGiggle · Jan 2, 2026

Against a hyper-aggro LAG, I like the 3-bet pre with QQ and playing for value rather than getting tricky. On this flop I’d probably lean toward betting, especially if they tend to over-continue with draws.

Goggelheimer · Jan 2, 2026

CRStals said:
OK so let's colour the rest of the picture in...

2 hands previous to this one, this went down:
PokerStars Hand #259114804254: Hold'em No Limit ($0.15/$0.30 CAD) - 2025/12/31 9:21:03 ET
Table 'Meges III' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: xxsnaillyxx ($45.76 in chips)
Seat 2: TheSpecialOne82 ($14.79 in chips)
Seat 3: riverratfz1 ($12 in chips)
Seat 4: CRStals ($30 in chips)
Seat 5: carpaolo ($23.70 in chips)
Seat 6: skiereric1990 ($8.52 in chips)
carpaolo: posts small blind $0.15
skiereric1990: posts big blind $0.30
riverratfz1: posts big blind $0.30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to CRStals [Th Tc]
xxsnaillyxx: folds
TheSpecialOne82: raises $1.05 to $1.35
riverratfz1: folds
CRStals: calls $1.35
carpaolo: calls $1.20
skiereric1990: calls $1.05
*** FLOP *** [Td 8c Js]
carpaolo: checks
xxsnaillyxx leaves the table
skiereric1990: bets $2.70
TheSpecialOne82: raises $10.74 to $13.44 and is all-in
CRStals: raises $10.74 to $24.18
carpaolo: folds
skiereric1990: calls $4.47 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($10.74) returned to CRStals
*** TURN *** [Td 8c Js] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [Td 8c Js 3c] [Ts]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TheSpecialOne82: shows [9h 9c] (two pair, Tens and Nines)
CRStals: shows [Th Tc] (four of a kind, Tens)
CRStals collected $11.85 from side pot
skiereric1990: shows [Jh Qd] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
CRStals collected $25.71 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $39.75 Main pot $25.71. Side pot $11.85. | Rake $2.19
Board [Td 8c Js 3c Ts]
Seat 1: xxsnaillyxx folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: TheSpecialOne82 showed [9h 9c] and lost with two pair, Tens and Nines
Seat 3: riverratfz1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: CRStals (button) showed [Th Tc] and won ($37.56) with four of a kind, Tens
Seat 5: carpaolo (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: skiereric1990 (big blind) showed [Jh Qd] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens

I had been playing pots carefully pre-flop with him because of his hyper aggressive nature to that point - but when this went down and he got stacked, I felt that the opportunity was upon me to REALLY put him on tilt. He bought back for 87.5BB, and then this went down.

I've never EVER done this before - but when the flop hit, my mind said "Shove - he'll call with worse, he'll think you're bullying him and he won't stand for it". Thinking he'd want a chance to win back his stack plus, and doing it on a somewhat wet board, I went OK:

CRStals: bets $21
TheSpecialOne82: calls $20.99 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($0.01) returned to CRStals
*** TURN *** [Th 2d 7s] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Th 2d 7s 2c] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CRStals: shows [Qh Qs] (two pair, Queens and Deuces)
TheSpecialOne82: shows [Tc Jc] (two pair, Tens and Deuces)

Was I surprised to see him calling a 3B with JTcc - not really. What did surprise me was his willingness to call off TPGK aganist someone who had not showed a bad hand to date, and had really only lost 2 hands in the session for substantial money - 5BB+ - Needless to say, I know this was a bad play in general but against this opponent, in that spot, with that flop, it felt like the right move to maximize my shot at getting his stack - which it did.

Side note - I don't know why the text said the small blimd was posted twice...I don't recall that but somehow we got an extra 1/2 blind in there...

My question now - have you ever had a moment where your mind said to do something outrageous or out of character and been right to doing it?

So my assumption was right, you had history with him. You had one of these moments where you find the way the game works.

Shoving was the way he would not believe, Pot Flop, Pot Turn, AI River would have worked also.

TP OK Kicker(villains hand) may be somtimes a good bluff catcher.

Sometimes the most obvious play is recognized as a bluff.

Congratulations.

Station_Master · Jan 2, 2026

You were going to get his stack either way i suspect. Nice hand, but not convinced on the line as he will just fold his air rather than potentially bluff it.

SpanRmonka · Jan 2, 2026

I think this is a good play. Especially live, you often just have to go with your gut exploit, this is usually your experience telling you something.

The chances are when he hits with this hand against you, and is tilting, he gets it in either way....this way def tilts him harder I reckon

CRStals · Jan 4, 2026

Goggelheimer said:
So my assumption was right, you had history with him. You had one of these moments where you find the way the game works.

Shoving was the way he would not believe, Pot Flop, Pot Turn, AI River would have worked also.

TP OK Kicker(villains hand) may be somtimes a good bluff catcher.

Sometimes the most obvious play is recognized as a bluff.

Congratulations.

We had limited history but this happening 2 hands previously changed my thought process on how to approach him, knowing he probably was steamed at what just happened. I don't think I've ever shoved like that, but the goal of getting him to think that I missed and he might be live worked. Not something I plan to employ often but if he didn't have TP I'm not sold he calls...

Regardless I will seek him out on my next outing.

CRStals · Jan 4, 2026

SpanRmonka said:
I think this is a good play. Especially live, you often just have to go with your gut exploit, this is usually your experience telling you something.

The chances are when he hits with this hand against you, and is tilting, he gets it in either way....this way def tilts him harder I reckon

The way the hand worked the chips would have gotten in one way or another - I bet 1/3 on the flop, he might jam that (he had jammed overpot before but usually on the river) and the ace on the river might have scared him off had we not gotten it all in before. We'll never know

Alpha737 · Jan 5, 2026

I’m c-betting small to medium here (around 30–40% pot).
Reasoning:
This board is pretty dry for a 3-bet pot. As the preflop aggressor with QQ, we have a strong range advantage. A smaller c-bet keeps worse hands in (Tx, 77–JJ, floats from a LAG) and controls the pot against random aggression. If villain raises, I’m re-evaluating based on sizing and tendencies; against a hyper-aggro LAG, I’m not auto-folding.

CRStals · Jan 5, 2026

Alpha737 said:
I’m c-betting small to medium here (around 30–40% pot).
Reasoning:
This board is pretty dry for a 3-bet pot. As the preflop aggressor with QQ, we have a strong range advantage. A smaller c-bet keeps worse hands in (Tx, 77–JJ, floats from a LAG) and controls the pot against random aggression. If villain raises, I’m re-evaluating based on sizing and tendencies; against a hyper-aggro LAG, I’m not auto-folding.

You're missing the point of the post I feel...

This wasn't about what you would do in this spot. It was more around have you ever had a gut feeling to do something out of character...and have it work

What do you do? 30NL

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