[ballen]

With perhaps 1 limper, I check from big blind (or call from small blind). I have maybe Q-x, and flop comes Q-x-x. There is maybe 3x in the pot. If I bet the pot, generally everyone folds, which I guess is a good thing.

Is it best to just take the money and run, or should I risk getting cute?

[norshvind]

So you flopped the boat ROFL with your "X" card!
Just to make sure.

[chris]

I think it is worth playing out. If you act as though you don't have the full house, the game shifts from who has the boat to who has the best kicker, which people will bet on... (or better yet, someone will bluff at it)

slow play, wait for someone to act, and play along. You will know when to pounce.

disclaimer: I have been burned doing this, but the odds are significantly in your favor.

[pritz]

Absolutely slow play this. I took out two people at a tourney last week doing this. I was BB and I had Q/5h. The flop came Qs, 5s, 5d. Their were 3 others in the pot. I check with full house. Next to act bet small, next position raised, 3rd position folded. I groaned, but called. Turn card was 8s. I check. Next to act goes all in, 3rd position goes all in on top, I think for a second and call both of them. First bettor, shows K/Js, King high flush, Next shows A/7s, Ace high flush. I turn over my full house and they groan. River was 10h. They leave, I almost tripled my stack. I knew the only thing that would sink me was pocket Q's, and since I had one and one was on the table the odds were minute another player had both or them. I had them both on flush draws, and they caught them, much to their chargin...

[petronder]

From the title of the post I would assume he meant that x represents a rag, but not all the same. Top pair with a weak kicker deserves one shot at the pot on the flop. Hopefully everyone folds. If you get called or played back at then you need to slow down or possibly fold.

[jhasper]

I agree with the 'one shot at the pot and if called slow down/fold later' mentality. If called, you are probably beat. If a subsequent bet is later made by the limper, you can probably count on it.

[johnf]

This advice is only correct with 1 or maybe 2 other players seeing the flop.

I recommend making a bet at the pot with top pair when it is less than a queen. If you get called, I would analyze my player and see what they may call with. If they would call with less than top pair, or the board is draw heavy and the turn card is a brick make another bet. If you get called again you should slow down on the river and hope to get a free showdown.

With top pair being a King or an Ace you can allow your opponents free cards, because what they catch will rarely give them a better hand. So you could check here if your opponents are capable of checking around with nothing. This will not work with an agressive table though, because many players would bet anything here. So checking with passive opponents and betting with agressive would probably be the best option with a pair of Aces or Kings.

Overall you have a pretty weak hand, so you want to represent as much strength as you can. If you get a raise from all but the most agressive opponent you will probably have to lay it down.

[crazypete]

If I do hit top pair with A or K and do bet, it is pretty easy to guess my hand. Essentially I'm saying "OK, I hit top pair and you know I don't have a good kicker or I probably would have bet preflop. Take your chances." Of course, maybe that's OK, and I'll be grateful to win the pot right there.