AA headsup in a SnG

[Robert]

First of all, this is my first post, and I gotta say - this site is the BOMB! I love it - I've read many of the posts in here, and I think it has improved my play quite a bit (started playing poker just one month ago). A big thank you to all you guys who post replies, gives advice etc.

Now on to my question.

Pacific, $10+$1 Singletable SnG - you are HU against a tight player - and you are chipleader with about 5500 chips against his 2500, and blinds are 200/400. You are on the SB and you are dealt AA - WOW nice hand to get a quick kill against that shortstack soab (at least thats what I think ).
But how do you play your hand? I made a standard raise of 600 (at that moment I was playing very aggressive, because I knew he was tight, and I had raised most of my hands with a standard 3xBB) - and he folded. Should I just have called and provoced a bluff from him (if its possible)? Should I have slowplayed my hand?

[Wet_DreaMer]

You want him in the hand, so you really need to know what he is playing.

If he is folding a 'standard raise' preflop, then limp it and hope he hits a TPDK or MPTK etc that he cant get away from.

If he is trying hard to aggress you, then try a min raise and hope he comes over the top at the sign of weakness.

If he is playing any sort of loose passive game then raise a small amount, let him call and give him increased pot odds to call down the flop and turn. A bigger pot is always (and correctly) harder to fold in.

That said, 9 times out of 10 Im limping here and checking the flop regardless. At this level way too many players will try ridiculous all in plays against you that you can take advantage off.

[Admerylous]

Robert if you're on a trend of aggression and stealing from him, continue that trend. Hope he is fed up of losing his chips and makes a raise. I feel the best way to make that quick kill play with As is to make yourself look like you are just simply trying to lean on him and dwindle his chips and that you will continue to until he shows a backbone and fights back. Unfortunately he fights back into aces.

[poskid_1982]

Aces are so hard to get paid heads up it's insane.

That being said...I agree mostly with admerylous. Reason being is that as soon as you drop your aggression he is going to see straight through it. He'll see the flop...with you having no info about his preflop hand...and just look for 2 pair or better. He'll probably double up and give himself the chip lead.

Dont drop aggression unless you have been varying your raises and calling at times.

[DavSimon]

Either stay with the standard raises you have been using (3x) -or-
"over-bet" the aces...making it look like you are weak. Essentially pause for a full 10 seconds or so, then fire out a 5x raise to make it look like you are trying to protect a weak hand or are simply trying to outright steal the pot. It does not matter if: He is still playing weak tight, or he has simply aweful cards he refuses to play unless he is first in the pot....he will fold either way.

[drmcboy]

This is why it's key to be the aggressor heads up. It's painful when they fold to your AA, but a lot less so if the hand before they fold to your 82 and the hand after 73.

Overbet is another good idea.

Limping AA heads up is a good way to go broke, because it's almost impossible to lay down.

[UncleBuddy]

First of all, this is my first post, and I gotta say - this site is the BOMB!

1993 called and it wants its expression back.

Just kidding, welcome aboard.

[zenbitz]

I actually came in 2nd in a 3-table with AA... impressive I know.

I went down to 2:1 against when my top pair got out kicked, then got AA... I standard raised it pre-flop. Flop was 2 diamonds, he bet, I raised, he pushed, I called, he hit.

[/code]

[DaNutsInYoEye]

HU you're likely going to be playing many hands. Although AA is nice, you can't expect to finish your opponent off with rockets every time. Like previously mentioned, prior aggression works to your benefit. If you habitually raise just about every hand you're more likely to get action. Like Dave mentioned, overbetting may imply weakness and induce action as well. If you're continually being aggressive then suddenly just complete your SB your opponent may take that as a sign of weakness as well. If you're playing an opponent that is just as aggressive and is raising every hand then let him do the work for you. If you're SB just complete and let him raise and then you can come over the top. In doing this though you face the risk of him checking behind you. I would never limp from the BB w/AA though. You're throwing away too much value.

HU is a mind game more than it is a card game. Anyone that is decent HU knows this. Cards don't matter nearly as much at this point so don't get hung up over one particular hand. There will likely be many more to come. I'd concentrate much more on playing your opponent than playing your hand. If you do this you'll intuitively know how to play AA if you happen to be dealt it.

[Robert]

Thanks guys for the welcome and all the good replies.

I think next time I will play that hand exactly the same - I was hoping that he was fed up with my aggressive play and would reraise me allin! What he actually did next hand - and I cracked him with Axs and took home first!

[Hogimacaca]

First of all, this is my first post, and I gotta say - this site is the BOMB!

1993 called and it wants its expression back.

Just kidding, welcome aboard.

ummm.......OH i know:

A random old shirt called and said it wanted its joke back.