DECISION POINT: UTG min-raises Preflop and MP1 calls, the Hijack calls, and you call with 8♥9♥. The Small Blind calls and the Big Blind folds. The Flop comes Q♦6♥10♣. The Small Blind and UTG check, MP1 bets, and the Hijack calls. Action is on you, what do you do here?

PRO ANSWER: You are getting nearly 4-1 pot odds in this multiway pot. You hold a double gutshot straight draw and backdoor flush draw, giving you approximately 9 outs. Using the Rule of 2, you have about an 18% chance of hitting on the next card. This is very close to the approximately 20% equity you need to call using direct pot odds. If there was 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 multiway, which also increases your chances of getting paid off on later streets. Each additional opponent in a multiway 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 multiway 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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