The line you proposed doesn't offer White a whole lot of options and I see why you are confused. But, with this, White is still in a favorable position. Black should actually play 3...e6 rather than 3...Nc6, but with the line you gave, after 3...Nc6, the line can continue like this:
While I do not play it myself, I can definitely see potential in this. Next White could play either Nb5 or Be2. While this may not be the most common line, Qxd4 is an acceptable move.
Hope I helped =)
in the smith morra gambit, or most frequently from a transposition from old benoni, so often i see 3. Qxd4 instead of the expected, 3. c3 is there any merit to this move? it seems to just waste a tempo with the queen... but simply because im seeing it so frequently now i thought it would be worth the ask.
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4? Nc6
or
1. d4 c5 3. e4 cxd4 3. Qxd4? Nc6
is it just that queen pawn players aren't used to playing against the sicilian?
NOT SURE. anyway... actually wait i'll post a game just because.