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J♠T♠ BTN vs BB, turn on A♣ 7♦ 3♥ 9♠, 75 bb

The spot

Hero evaluates exploit leverage versus player-image assumptions.

Choose the strongest HU postflop strategy.

See the answer

Best play: Raise

Why

Single-raised HU pot, BTN in position facing the BB's turn bet: the 9♠ gives J♠T♠ a gutshot to the 8 (8‑9‑T‑J) plus a backdoor spade flush draw and two clean overcards on A♣7♦3♥|9♠. Because HU ranges are so wide and the BB's turn bets contain many weak pairs and air, raising as a semi-bluff applies real pressure: you fold out the BB's worse holdings now and still have outs when called. Your J/T overcards and the gutshot back the bluff with equity, making the raise higher-EV than a passive call.

Key idea

In a wide HU pot, semi-bluff raising a gutshot plus overcards and backdoor equity pressures a capped bettor while keeping outs.

Common mistake

Passively calling and surrendering fold equity, or raising as a pure bluff with no overcards/draw to fall back on when called.

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