Hand Strategy Question

[SanMarco1988]

I ran into an interesting spot recently and I’m curious how others think about it.

Let’s say you’re in the big blind with KQ suited, button opens, you defend. Flop comes A-J-10 rainbow, giving you the straight.

My first instinct was to check-call the flop to keep bluffs in, especially since the button should have a lot of continuation bets here. But I’m wondering whether there’s an argument for check-raising immediately to start building the pot while we’re likely ahead.

Do you guys generally prefer slow playing strong hands on these connected boards, or do you start building the pot right away?

I feel like both lines have merit depending on the opponent.

 

[dannystanks]

I think this in this situation you have to really think about your own table image at that point and your opponent’s table image. If they are an aggressive manic style, check raising could shut them down, so maybe just keep check calling to the river and after they triple barrel go for the raise.
Generally in this situation I’m check calling because I want to keep all their bluffs in there.

 

[Matt_Burns88]

Like with almost every question in poker - it depends.

Stack sizes and openers raise size is important. Often KQs should be a 3-bet pre-flop, so that is something to consider as well.

Opponent image tendencies are also important - are they serial c-bettors? Are they overly sticky? Do they overvalue top pair type hands.

Like you say, both options have merit and the art of poker is knowing which has the most merit in the moment.