Check, Bet Small, or Shove With Top Pair on the Turn?
DECISION POINT: In a $1/$2 no-limit hold'em cash game, a middle position player raises and you reraise from the cutoff with A?Q?. The button calls, and the blinds and middle position player all fold. The flop is Q?5?6?. You bet and the button calls. The turn is the 9?. Action is on you...
PRO ANSWER: Due to the low stack-to-pot ratio (SPR) on the flop, we should be willing to get it in on the turn even when a flush card hits.
We should generally bet the turn again in this spot rather than check. Checking gives our opponent a free card when they want to take it and allows them to realize their equity with more of their range. With no heart in our hand, it's especially important to bet.
Given that we don't have much more than a pot-size bet left in the effective stack, moving all in on the turn will be the most profitable line. We can still get calls from worse hands, plus we most effectively deny our opponent equity with much of their range.
If we had the A? in our hand, we could bet smaller or even check on this turn. However, without the A?, we should simply jam the turn.
Moving all in is the best play.
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