Play AQ for a raise or no?

[dalecooper]

What do you guys usually do with AQ if someone ahead of you raises 3xBB? Traditionally I have always called here to see a flop. I don't like re-raising with this hand, but it seems weak to fold it. And yet I find that most of the time the hand misses and I have to fold to the flop bet, or if it hits (say a pair of aces) the opponent comes out strong, and then I have a tough decision on how good their hand may be. I just wonder if this is more trouble than it's worth, unless I can lead with the first raise.

[ilikeaces86]

AQ is a a terrible hand unless you are the one in the lead...I base my play of the hand of my read on the player who raised before it gets to you...if he is a camper then why would you play a hand like AQ vs him? I fold AQ all the time preflop its not that good of a hand...think about it if you fold do you lose anything? My theory on playing it is if you think you are ahead then go ahead and take the lead and through in a reraise preflop if not let it go.

[dalecooper]

I agree, thanks. It's a wonder it took me this long to figure it out.

On a related tangent, it's a wonder to me how many people weakly call decent pre-flop raises from a tight player. Someone who hasn't been playing much raises 3xBB or more, and the same two or three yahoos that have already limped in call the raise. What are they expecting? The net result of this hand (raiser bets big, everyone folds) is so predictable it's ridiculous.

[SteveO]

Dale, shhh!

I will call a raise w/ AQ but it depends on a lot of wacky factors. What kind of mood am I in, was the initial raise from UTG or UTG+1 or from the CO; what type of player made the raise; how many people are left to act behind me etc. etc....

If you hit the flop and he comes out firing just reraise. Often it will be that busted JJ or 1010 trying to bluff you off the better hand and they lay it down. If they smooth call take it from there. If they blast into you it is an easy laydown.