Marginal hand

I think I played this hand pretty badly, I should've reraised the flop. By the time we got to the turn I had no idea where I stood. That strong a bet I figured he was probably on an overpair KK or QQ most likely. What's the move?

I was new at the table, didn't have any reads on anybody. I was involved in a huge pot which I lost (nut flush turn but got rivered against a guy with a set) right when I got here. Other than that I had been playing few hands, not showing down anything. No reads on the original raiser so I had no idea what kind of hands he'd raise like this with. Also AJs isn't exactly a hand I'd like to play out of position against a preflop raiser..

***** Hand History for Game 1992233971 *****
$100 NL Hold'em - Tuesday, May 03, 16:01:07 EDT 2005
Table Table 37376 (6 max) (Real Money)
Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: Enemy ( $77.3 )
Seat 3: Mrsjoer ( $75.1 )
Seat 4: spybar123 ( $181.5 )
Seat 6: LordZexor ( $97.6 )
Seat 5: hero ( $104.55 )
Seat 2: Madou ( $100 )
hero posts small blind [$0.5].
LordZexor posts big blind [$1].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to hero [ As Js ]
Enemy raises [$3].
Mrsjoer calls [$3].
spybar123 folds.
hero calls [$2.5].
LordZexor folds.
** Dealing Flop ** [ 2c, 8h, Jd ]
hero bets [$4].
Enemy raises [$8].
Mrsjoer calls [$8].
hero calls [$4].
** Dealing Turn ** [ 4s ]
hero checks.
Enemy bets [$17].
Mrsjoer folds.
Hero ?????

Well, this may be bad advice, but let me look this over...

okay, the enemy is raising half the pot with that $17 if I totalled that up right.
The board is a rainbow four cards in, which does nothing for your suited AJ, but nothing for anyone else either. The enemy has been aggressive out of the gate, and the hero is in a tough position. No read on the enemy, but if you fold, you won't know much more about how the enemy plays for the next round either.

So I'm thinking call.

About the AJs - I think maybe you're too used to full tables, either that or I'm too used to the four- and five-handed games I play at home with other noobs.

I broke out PokerStove (which someone mentioned the other day), the AsJs against five other random hands will win 48% of the time. Not shabby.

Now what was unexpected to me is that after those four cards on the board, the AsJs is still 48% against 5 random hands - makes me think I'm not using the software right to get the same number +/-

I definately either push this hand now or on the river. TPTK is alot stronger in 6 handed then it is in full ring. especially with a preflop raise i wouldnt put him on any two pair. only thing that might worry me is a set of eights. But most of the time you are good here and should be pushing him back.

if he had an overpair, wouldnt he push to take it down instead of giving you odds to draw out on him ??

Push his rotten ass. Worst case scenario I see is QQ and the guy is playing the hand like a wimp. Its also possible he has TT & wants you off the jack. If you want to fold here, thats probably ok, but he looks weak and his minraise looks scared.

Whatever you do, dont check TPTK in first position. What did you expect him to do?

Agreed, the check was bad. Well anyway here's the showdown. I didn't push, but almost. Figure if he has KK or QQ he sure played it funny and I'd still have 2 jacks and 3 aces to help me out.

hero raises [$34].
enemy calls [$17]. <- Bam, I got him
** Dealing River ** [ 8s ]
Hero bets [$32.3].
Enemy is all-In [$32.3]
Hero shows [ As, Js ] two pairs, jacks and eights.
Enemy doesn't show [ Kh, Jc ] two pairs, jacks and eights.
Hero wins $164.6 from the main pot with two pairs, jacks and eights with ace kicker.

Now that's getting kicked in the balls..

Alright, nice to see you stuck it out. Very nice pot.