Part: Part Eight - Making Moves

The check-raise semi-bluff

Flop
Heads-upPot 2,200 (5.5 BB)7♥6♣2♠BB9♥8♥● 16,000 (40 BB)YOUopen-ender + flush drawBTN● 16,000 (40 BB)Buttonbets 1,100 (2.8 BB)D

You defended with 9♥8♥. Flop 7♥ 6♣ 2♠ - an open-ended straight draw plus a flush draw. You check, the button c-bets.

You flop a monster draw out of position and he c-bets. Best?

WhyAn open-ender plus a flush draw is a mountain of outs - you're barely an underdog even when he calls. Raising his c-bet takes the pot from the hands that fold and builds one you're thrilled to get in when your card lands. Just calling lets him control the price, and a check-back lets your outs die.
What happensYou raise to 3,000 and he folds. You take it now - and had he stuck around, you were coming with the best draw in the deck.
Your biggest draws want to be the aggressor out of position: fold equity plus a heap of outs is a check-raise, not a call. That's how monsters get paid or win uncontested.

Out of position with a monster draw, the check-raise is your best friend - you fold hands out now and stack them when you hit. Passivity wastes the draw.