Would Cbetting the flop

Why would you turn your hand into a bluff?

Let's analyze SB's PF range.
Probably strong broadways, maybe the occasional strong suited connector like T9s, and pocket pairs.

SB's range
The board is A58, and SB hardly has any 8X in his range. 8X probably calls one bet only. Same goes for 99-JJ.

Hero's Perceived Range
Hero opens from MP1, fairly strong opening range. Maybe 12% of hands? It contains many AX holdings.

Based on the stuff I have provided, it's not a good idea for SB to call more than 2 streets with 2nd pair or worse -> KK only has 1 street of value.

Our 3 betting lines
1. Bet Flop check Turn Check River
2. Check Flop bet Turn check River
3. Check Flop Check Turn bet River

2 and 3 are close, 1 is the worst option here IMO as it opens up the action further.

Hi mbml,

Thank you for the anaylsis.

Let me explain a bit; I wasn't trying to turn my hand into my bluff, more to get an understanding of effective C-betting.

I might have phrased my question a little oddly but it should have read like this:

1. Was my play, the way I bet the turn and checked all other streets, the best option? From your response it appears it was thus I am happy with my decision here

2. If I had of bet the flop would this essentially be turning my hand into a bluff?

Depends on villain. If he knows this is a good flop to bluff and that you're probably gonna continue with your whole range then he might float you. If he doesn't know the words 'float' and 'range' with respect to poker then you would certainly be isolating vs stronger hands only. I would def. chk flop, bet this turn (fds + lower pps may call) and think about a thin (small) v bet on the river.

Originally posted by Greedyfly
Hi mbml,

Thank you for the anaylsis.

Let me explain a bit; I wasn't trying to turn my hand into my bluff, more to get an understanding of effective C-betting.

I might have phrased my question a little oddly but it should have read like this:

1. Was my play, the way I bet the turn and checked all other streets, the best option? From your response it appears it was thus I am happy with my decision here

2. If I had of bet the flop would this essentially be turning my hand into a bluff?

1. Yes either bet Turn or bet River is fine.

2. I think you'll still get called by some worse hands, mainly 99-QQ and draws. But your value is going to be extremely thin, and I think there are going to be many AX hands relative to weaker hands and thus I prefer not betting the Flop.

Against many looser opponents and especially in later positions, some arguments could be made for betting Flop and then calling a blank River but by default, I would almost always check back second pair if the second pair is high and not vulnerable (9-K)