Q♦J♦ SB vs BTN, flop on Q♣ 9♦ 5♠, 80 bb
The spot
- You: SB
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: Q♦J♦
- Board: Q♣ 9♦ 5♠
- Effective stack: 80 bb
- Pot: 6 bb
Hero chooses between call, raise, and controlled passivity.
What action keeps the highest practical EV?
See the answer
Best play: Raise
Why
On Q-c 9-d 5-s hero in the SB is out of position against the BTN raiser, but this middling board favors the blind defender's range more than an ace-high flop, and your hand connects hard. Q-d J-d is TOP PAIR (Queens) with a J kicker, plus a backdoor diamond draw. Out of position you check to the in-position raiser and then check‑raise: on a wet board with straight and draw potential (9‑5 with broadway and connector cards live), check-raising builds the pot with a hand that wants value and charges the many draws that can outrun you on a later street.
Key idea
Out of position, top pair on a wet board often prefers a check‑raise to build value and charge live draws.
Common mistake
Just check-calling top pair and letting the many straight and flush draws realize equity cheaply.