Flopped a Double-Gutshot in a Multi-Way Pot: Call, Fold, or Raise?
DECISION POINT: In a no-limit hold'em cash game, the under-the-gun player min-raises preflop, a middle-position player calls, and the hijack also calls. You have been dealt 9♥8♥ on the button and call as well, the small blind calls, and the big blind folds. With five players in, the flop comes Q♦6♥10♣. It folds to the MP player who bets and the hijack calls. The action is on you...
PRO ANSWER: You are getting nearly 4-to-1 pot odds in this multi-way pot. You hold a double-gutshot straight draw and backdoor flush draw, giving you approximately nine outs.
Using the "Rule of Two," you have about an 18 percent chance of hitting on the next card. This is very close to the approximately 20 percent equity you need to call using direct pot odds. If there were no more betting after the turn card appears, this would be a slightly unprofitable call.
However, you have more than enough implied odds in this situation when you take into account future action. Your draw is well hidden, which makes it more likely for you to win additional chips on the turn or river when you hit. Double-gutshot straight draws have greater implied odds than regular open-ended straight draws due to the fact that they are often harder for average opponents to see.
The pot is multi-way, which also increases your chances of getting paid off on later streets. Each additional opponent in a multi-way pot gives you another opportunity to get value on your straight or flush.
Raising would be a worse play, as it's less likely that you can induce folds from every opponent in this multi-way pot. You should take the good implied odds you are getting and just call.
Calling is by far the best play.
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