This hand happened on a Party 1/2NL full ring table last night.

I think I slowed down too quickly in this hand or maybe didn't bet enough on the flop...I REALLY thought about pushing here, but was afraid only a better hand would call. The three PF callers calling my slight overbet, however, didn't give me much hope either. I could put these guys on limping hands EP and MP that would NOT have me beat if they called (I really figured someone had the set!).

My reads...SB was a complete moron. He was absolutely allergic to folding to a PFR and to any draw no MATTER the draw or price. Ther other players seemed 'typical,' as in I hadn't seen any unusualy behavior from them thus far in the game. They were perhaps a bit loose though.

So, did I slow down too quick? Do I push the flop and hope for an inferior hand to call? AHHHHH!

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 max, 10 handed)

UTG+1 ($160.47)
UTG+2 ($243.92)
MP1 ($489.7)
MP2 ($185)
MP3 ($194)
Hopy ($186.25)
Button ($185)
SB ($456)
BB ($106)
UTG ($98)

Preflop: Hopy is CO with , . SB posts a blind of $1.
UTG calls $2, UTG+1 calls $2, 1 fold, MP1 calls $2, 2 folds, Hopy raises to $10, 1 fold, SB (poster) calls $9, 1 fold, UTG folds, UTG+1 calls $8, MP1 calls $8.

Flop: ($44) , , (4 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, Hopy bets $50, SB calls $50, UTG+1 calls $50, MP1 calls $50.

Turn: ($244) (4 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, Hopy checks.

River: ($244) (4 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, Hopy checks.

Final Pot: $244

Results to follow...

Andy

I think a pot of $244 is plenty big with that board. I'd be happy nobody bet the turn or the river, myself....

This is one of the few situations I would absoluteky bet the river, with a check around on the turn, there is no way that someone is going to check a monster on the river. I dont mind the check on the turn, but your opponants are showing extreme weakness checking both the turn and river, You have the best hand 95% of the time here on the river, if nothing else they all fold and you dont have to show your hand. The only chance you are behind is the off chance that someone had the 3 here, there is no reason that someone would check a 5 on the turn and river. With this board you may actually get a call from somthing like A9 or AK or AQ, my guess is one of them had the 9 and the second player is on the flush draw with something like AK- A10.

I was going to write about how I liked the checking through, but after reading Rhounds post, I think I agree w/ him... I would put out a valuebet, something like $20, and hope to get called by someone playing A high... I think theres almost no chance someone w/ a 5 or 3 would check this, and this has a pretty good chance of either a. getting everyone to fold, or b. getting a call w/ a 9 or an Ace...

I disagree w/ Kalle on the "raise bigger preflop" line... I think if you consistently raise more than 5xBB w/ pocket aces or kings, you're gonna get the blinds like 90% of the time... The raise was fine, and just happened to get a bunch of bozos along for the ride... I mean, if they'd call 5xBB preflop, how high would you have to raise to get them to fold... This was just about the crappiest result for your aces, with SO many callers and a double paired board...

Im not suggesting that we raise bigger preflop because we have AA. If I had 76s and decided to raise I would also raise bigger. Most players have deep stacks and they are not going to fold for another $8.
We have three limpers and the SB who doesnt know where the fold button is.
This is not 1/2 UB. Some players at Party $200 nl will call $20 preflop without a pair...

It doesnt sound like a big difference whether we raise to $10 or $15, but I think it is.

I like a river bet but it is dangerous if some of them are tricky. It is obvious that Hopy is weak and someone could be tempted to come over the top with nothing. This is very unlikely though.

I would raise no less than $12 in that spot preflop. I prefer to make it $14 or so.
Flop bet is good
Turn check is good
I bet that river after nobody wants the pot. If one of them had a monster, they might check the turn with the intention of check raising you, but when you check behind, theres no way they will check the river also with a big hand.

Your hand is good. Make a value bet.