Weak or not Weak?

[badblood44]

I think betting on the river in limit play is like the prisoner's dilema-type problem. You have 4 outcomes, 2 of which are slightly +EV, one is very -EV and one is very +EV.

If you play consistently with no outside information, not betting the river is probably the wisest choice. Not always right, but long-term slightly +EV.

[New Guy]

I think It really depends on how the play has shaped up thru out the hand.Pre flop is most important.Always remember whats happend at least in that hand and hopefully a few before with the others in the pot!!!

[BlibbityBlabbity]

I tend toward checking with the intention of calling the one bet. I would lean this way MORE in low limit as there is more of a likelyhood of a player chasing and you just never know when that 4 that hit the river gave them two pair/trips/straight/whatever.

I liken this to the check-in-the-dark in 7 stud when you are sure someone is drawing against you. Why bet into them and charge yourself an extra bet to find out they hit?

Certainly there are times when you would have gained an extra bet, but you never can know ahead of time what percentage of the time you would gain/loose that extra bet (especially at low limits when any two might just do for somone).

[Gordogg]

I like the check on the river because usually you aren't going to get called unless you are beaten anyways. Against average to good players that is. (Although I'm amazed at some players that I've played against who call all the way to the river only to fold to one bet on the river when they have pot odds to call. Makes me smile If you bet and the other guy folds what do you gain? You risked a bet to win a pot you probably would've won by showing down anyways. Check calling is more of a read on the player you are up against I think. Is he loose or tight? Bluff much? etc....

my humble two cents

ChiefBigtoke

[PShabi]

I go both ways. uh, nevermind. Anyway, I hate hard and fast rules in poker and I'm really terrible at giving advice because I rely so much on my instinct and read of that player. I know, I know, 3/6 online, how much of a read/instinct can you have. Enough to let me make the right decision most of the time.

I like to check the river when i suspect and aggressive player to be on a draw and he has position on me. If I check, he might think I missed my draw too and try to bluff at the pot. If I know I'm golden, I can come over top.

At the very worst, I call and win an extra bet here due to his bluff.

That's the best time to check the river IMO.