2/5 NL at the new cardroom in town. The game just started so I dont have reads on many players. We are all pretty even stacked at around 200 to 300 each. After 5 hands I get dealt Ah, Ac UTG. I considered check-raising but this table had been very passive thus far, with only one pre-flop raise so I just bet out $35. I get called by MP 1 and MP 2. Both had been in other hands but had not been to showdown. Flop comes Qc 2h 7h. I bet out $75 here and comment " it's going to cost a little to see another heart fall". MP1 folds MP2 flat calls. Turn is the 5h. I check here and MP2 move all in for $80. The pot has around $340 now and I still have a redraw to the nutt flush if he is ahead at this point (although I am thinking hevery likely has Aq KK QQ or KQ ) so a call seems to be a no brainer to me. River is the King of spades, giving him Kings and Queens to tke down the pot. He held Kc, Qs.

I feel pretty good about how I played it overall, but now I question my check on the turn and the call. Looking back on it I think I should have made a large bet there and given him the chance to fold. Please let me kow what you think.

I think it is better to check/call the turn. If he made his hand he will call you so your bet just takes away an opportunity for him to bluff. You also don't run a big risk of being outdrawn (well, that's what happened but nevermind) since you're holding the only real draw available at the moment.

if you are gonna call anyway, checking would be better than betting. By betting, its much more likely a hand that beats you will only call. If you check, it gives them a chance to bluff it like he did and you can call. This really only implies in this kind of situation where your opponent will go all in for something you can call. If he has more money and you may or may not call then betting or checking depending on your read.

I also like the check call here, if you bet the only hands that are going to call or raise have you beat, if you check call, there is a decent enough chance you have the best hand, you definatly have the best draw. You got what you wanted this guy pretty much put all his chips in with a huge underdog, the result sucked but if you put all your money on the turn with your opponant having 3 outs you are going to win a lot of money in the long run.

I dont think it makes a big difference whether you bet or check-call. There is $260 in the pot and he has $80 left. He is not going to fold if you bet. The money is going in no matter how you play it. If he had more chips, I think it would be a good play.

Thanks guys, I felt good about my play and even better now that you all agree. I have really found this site to be helpfull to my game.