Q♦J♦ CO vs BTN, flop on K♠ J♠ 7♥, 65 bb
The spot
- You: CO
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: Q♦J♦
- Board: K♠ J♠ 7♥
- Effective stack: 65 bb
- Pot: 7.5 bb
Hero chooses between call, raise, and controlled passivity.
What action keeps the highest practical EV?
See the answer
Best play: Raise
Why
K♠ J♠ 7♥ is a broadway, two-tone flop where the BTN's in-position range holds the K-x edge, but as the OOP CO you have a hand with real equity: Q♦J♦ is middle pair (jacks) plus a gutshot to any ten for the K‑Q‑J‑T straight. After checking, raise (check‑raise) as a semi-bluff — your pair-plus-gutshot has enough equity when called and fold equity against the BTN's air and weak top pairs, and applying pressure out of position denies his many overcard floats.
Key idea
Pair-plus-gutshot out of position makes a fine check‑raise semi-bluff: equity when called plus fold equity now.
Common mistake
Passively check-calling middle pair, missing the chance to fold out the BTN's overcard equity.