Cooler. Bummer.

With no read beyond a few opens (which V is getting away with, so why not keep trying), I think I flat, leaving ~23BB behind, and shove any pair on the flop. With so much in the pot I’d be impressed if AQ checks or check-folds the flop. I doubt AJs or KQs is calling a 5-bet anyway, so we just reduce variance against pairs. I’m sure I have also just shoved here too, getting more out of a flip if I win, but I like the lower-variance call even if it does turn my hand mostly face-up. I guess the down-side is we may only get to see 3-4 cards.

(Insert standard I’m-not-a-pro-disclaimer here)

I meant flatting the 4-bet, as typed.

Personally, I would only flat an initial raise when guaranteed heads-up against specific opponents where I feel disguising the strength of my hand has more implied value than inflating the pot early on. What I mean is, if I am against a player that is loose pre-flop but deep-thinking and careful post flop when more chips are at risk, then I want to get some chips in right away because I am probably only hoping for 1 street of value and I want that bet to be bigger. If I am up against someone who I can be confidant is capable of playing fast either as a bluff or with a dominated top pair, then I’d rather let them do that (and maybe even consider it pot-control in some cases).