River problem: How often is this a flush?

[Schlepper333]

Villain is typical loose player

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.20 Limit Hold'em - 9 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Pre Flop: (1.5 SB) Hero is BB with 7 : A :
5 folds, CO calls, 1 fold, SB calls, Hero checks

Flop: (3 SB) 6 : 5 : 8 : (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, CO calls, SB calls

Turn: (3 BB) 8 : (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, CO calls, SB folds

River: (5 BB) 4 : (2 players)
Hero bets, CO raises, Hero ??

[Bugsbunny]

Often enough (or a full house), but you could well be looking at a split pot. Trips or 2 of a kind, or even a bluff (although less likely) aren't out of the realm of possibility. Without a good read you need to call this.

FWIW this is the type of river card I like to check-call. A lot of people will try to bet the river if you check, even with nothing, hoping to steal the pot. True even at the limits you're talking about (I think). And if they do have the flush/[full house] you only lose 1 unit.

[Piscivorous]

I'm with Bugs here. Even at this limit you will see a raise on the turn if he already has a hand. When the third club comes, you need to check/call. My reasoning is, if he has hit the flush you'll lose just the called bet. If he checks behind you'll usually win the pot.

[thew92]

I like the Bet/Call line a lot more than the Check/Call line. With the Check/Call line you are letting a lot of 1 pair and A high hands that might call you off the hook.

[Bugsbunny]