Villain is a little on the passive side, around 27% vpip after 3 orbits.

I checked behind quickly on the river, as I don't see what I really beat besides a flush draw or a stubborn pair of 9's. Flop raise seemed to be the best move to get information.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

SB ($37.75)
BB ($23)
Hero ($70.40)
UTG+1 ($21.55)
MP1 ($50)
MP2 ($35.95)
MP3 ($69.95)
CO ($20.45)
Button ($34.75)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, MP1 calls $2, 4 folds, SB calls $1.75, BB calls $1.50.

Flop: ($8) , , (4 players)
SB bets $1.5, BB folds, Hero raises to $4, MP1 folds, SB calls $2.50.

Turn: ($16) (2 players)
SB bets $3, Hero raises to $8, SB calls $5.

River: ($32) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: $32.

I like how you played this hand.

I would have made a bigger raise on the flop but it's not a huge deal.

I like how you played aggressively on the flop and turn, then checked behind on the river. Very nice.

I do think checking the river is a good idea, but I'm a little more disappointed in the flop raise then kennyg is. I just don't like these little flop bets or little raises at all.

If they're going to call a raise regardless (and SB may have As here), I'd either flat call or lay down. But I think, if it's worth raising, one needs to make a real raise imo. I'd probably bump it to $10 if I was going to raise.

I'm not a big fan here.

You said you're opponents a little on the passive side - generally when a passive player bets, they're not likely to let go of their hand. Passive players suddenly deciding they want to bet is a sign that you're in trouble, even with your second nut flush draw.

What's more is this this is a monotone flop. Players tighten up incredibly on these - nearly everyone becomes a little more passive on these boards, so his already passive nature, combined with this flop, it's unlikely he's betting anything but a very strong hand here.

Still, If you're going to raise that flop, with $8 already in there, you need to be raising to at least $8-$10, not $4. On the turn, you need to raise hard if you're going to raise it up again. As it is, i think you're likely to be up against 8x, a hand that's very unlikely to fold that flop, and certainly can't fold to the small raise you're making on both the flop and the turn.

Once again, if you're going to raise here, raise hard.

Also, you're river check is good - you're right, there are very few hands that can call you that you beat ([Qs]Kx, and *maybe* 8x).

Personally i would have folded on the flop, but only because of the hand i put him on.