Q♠J♠ SB vs BTN, river on J♦ 8♠ 5♣ 9♠ 2♦, 70 bb, pot 14.5 bb
The spot
- You: SB
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: Q♠J♠
- Board: J♦ 8♠ 5♣ 9♠ 2♦
- Effective stack: 70 bb
- Pot: 14.5 bb
Advanced node: capped range attack opportunity.
Best advanced line?
See the answer
Best play: Check
Why
River, board J‑8‑5‑9‑2. As the SB out of position with top pair (J paired) and a queen kicker, hero holds a solid but not nutted made hand with no draws remaining. Against a BTN range that can hold T7/QT straights and two pair, checking to the in-position player controls the pot, realizes showdown value, and avoids being raised off a one-pair hand.
Key idea
Out of position with a one-pair hand on a connected river, checking to realize showdown value often beats leading into a player who can raise you.
Common mistake
Value-betting top pair into a range that has straights and two pair, then facing a raise with no good answer.