Very often when I am the preflop raiser and when I am in EP heads-up the betting sequence goes like that: I have TPTK and I bet the pot on the flop and got called. Same on the turn. On the river I check to wait what my opponent is doing but often they go all-in (let's assume it is comparable to the pot size).

What now? Calling or folding? 'You should not lose your whole stack for TPTK'. Opinions please. Do such guys bluff mostly or not?

Below an old example of Iceman:

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 12:13 pm Post subject: Another $5/$10 NL hand..tough call

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PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $10 BB (9 handed) converter

UTG+1 ($1065)
MP1 ($1891.50)
MP2 ($479)
MP3 ($1237.35)
CO ($1000)
Hero ($824.50)
SB ($868.50)
BB ($1147.55)
UTG ($3771.10)

Preflop: Hero is Button with .
UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, MP1 folds, MP2 folds, MP3 folds, CO folds, Hero raises to $30, SB folds, BB calls $20.

Flop: ($65) , (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $40, BB calls $40.

Turn: ($145) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $80, BB calls $80.

River: ($305) (2 players)
BB bets $300, Hero calls $300.

The full pot sized bet looked like a bluff to me so I called. Tough decision though. What is he calling with if he doesnt have the flush draw?

Final Pot: $905

Results in white below:
BB has Ks 6c (one pair, sixes).
Hero has As Kc (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $905.
_________________
iceman5


MHFlush

You need to look at the article on blocking bets and start thinking along those lines.

Hmmm, that hand example is a bit of an aberration. How many players will call a raise OOP with K6o, then call pot-size bets of flop and turn with bottom pair with A and Q on? This guy is an uber-donk and that changes everything when discussing lines of play.

Iceman called this threat 'a tough call'. This was just an example. I would like to hear general thoughts.

MHFlush

I hate it when people do this to me when all I am holding is TPTK. But, I usually call because it seems like the opponent would value bet the river if he really had a hand. I would say that is a bluff more often than not. Sure it is cheaper to fold but you only need to win half of the time to make that a break even call. And I think you are winning more than half of the time.

Stealth

I think this is very read and board dependent. For example, did the flop have two diamonds on it and the guy is a known flush chaser? Well, if the river is a non-diamond, I'd call. Another example. You raise with AK and the flop has an ace. Is your opponent the type that plays any ace any place and never folds a top pair?

On the flop, when they call your pot sized bet, you have to really hone in on putting them on a hand. That'll help your river decision.

Checking the turn is not a bad idea either (esp if the board is NOT draw heavy). You gain pot control that way.