A♣5♣ BTN vs BB, flop on A♦ 8♣ 4♠, 75 bb
The spot
- You: BTN
- Opponent: BB
- Your hand: A♣5♣
- Board: A♦ 8♣ 4♠
- Effective stack: 75 bb
- Pot: 4.5 bb
6‑max reg battle node with meaningful frequency tradeoffs.
Best core-reg decision?
See the answer
Best play: Raise
Why
On A‑8‑4 rainbow the BB donk-leads into you, and you (BTN) are IN POSITION. Your A clubs 5 clubs is top pair (aces) with a weak 5 kicker plus a backdoor club draw. Against a donk-lead this dry ace-high board, raising for value and protection charges worse A-x and pair-plus-gutshots, denies equity to 8-x and overcards, and builds the pot while you hold the made top pair in position.
Key idea
IP, top pair facing a donk-lead on a dry board should raise for value and protection rather than just flat.
Common mistake
Framing A5s as a 'polar 3‑bet bluff' — here it is made top pair raising a flop donk-lead for value.