Mid Stakes Shorthanded NL Poker Forums

I was asked for input on this hand and thought it was a pretty tough spot to find the best line. Any help from you guys on the turn action? Just get it in or keep it low?

No stats or reads at the time...early in session.

Full Tilt Poker $1.00/$2.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $136.95
BB: $306.30
UTG: $431.00
MP: $220.20
Hero (CO): $180.40
BTN: $189.70

Pre Flop: Hero is CO with 5 A
2 folds, Hero raises to $7, BTN calls $7, 2 folds

Flop: ($17.00) Q J A (2 players)
Hero bets $14, BTN calls $14

Turn: ($45.00) 8 (2 players)

I like a check/call on this turn. We could easily have the best hand, but very few free cards hurt us if he checks back. Plus we can value bet our Ace on good rivers when he does check behind the turn.

If you lead the turn, I feel like you're gonna fold out a lot of hands that you're beating now, stuff like pairs+gutshots and smaller flush draws. If you get raised then you're in a tough spot cause you're likely up against a better Ace, straight, or two pair.

Mmm, without any reads it is kinda hard..

If you check he can use his position, bet big and put you in a tough spot. I'm firing kind of a blocking bet that will get me also some information - something like $25 - $30 (?).
1) if he raises, I'm folding
2) if he folds, I'm dancing
3) if he calls, I'm checking the river and if he bluffs with missed draw I will some them how heroes can call!

EDIT: thinking about Kwantum's post .. that makes sense ..

1) If you check and he takes the initiative, put you for example on draw or do a self-destructive bluff, bets $40 are you calling? With TPNK and flush draw yes, right?

2) If he checks behind and 9, T, K, Q, J (no clubs) comes are you check calling? Too dangerous to put more chips in?

I was originally thinking check/raise here, but perhaps check/call is the way to go. I agree that we don't mind a free card coming off at all. There isn't much that will hurt us. And we would like to keep smaller flush draws around to stack them if we hit, which we'll drive away with a check/raise.

Bet/folding is bad here - we have too much equity.

Theres a world of difference between TP+NFD combos, and you happen to have one of the weakest kinds. So no I wouldn't look to stack off here, as chances are when all the money goes in you're drawing to 9 outs. As such, turn is a c/c, and if he checks it back, most brick rivers will also be a c/c. Club rivers you should valuebet (perhaps towards the smaller side so he's more likely to raise you with a wide range)