Q&A #52: Betting into a Preflop Raiser in a Large Field

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If one of your opponents raises preflop, the natural inclination is to check the flop to the preflop raiser. The raiser is marked with a strong hand, so you might fear that you’re behind. The raiser is also likely to bet whether he hit the flop or not. Often you should, indeed, check to the preflop raiser for those reasons. But sometimes you shouldn’t. In this question, Jacob asks if he should try a flop bet with his top pair/marginal kicker.

This is a concept that I have been having some trouble with lately. Is betting into the preflop raiser (in hopes of being raised) a good idea?

This is a hand that was recently posted at the 2+2 micros forum.

Our hero has K T in the SB. Four players limp, hero completes. The BB raises and everyone calls. There are 6 players to the flop for 12SB.

The flop comes:

K J 5

The pot is already quite large at this point. What should our action be here? We have a preflop raiser to our immediate left and we could bet out and hope to get raised, which will face the field with having to call two bets cold. However, if this players raises our bet, there is a stronger chance that we are behind. Is it better to check and see what happens since we are out of position with a top pair medium kicker? Also, would a c/r be good if the entire field calls?

Before we get started, let’s get something out there. This isn’t a great situation for you. You’re out of position, and you have top pair/marginal kicker on a semi-dangerous board (the jack is threatening). More importantly, you have five opponents, one of whom raised preflop from the big blind. A few things will have to go right for you to win. However, the pot is large, and you certainly should have enough equity in it to proceed.

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