Ace-Queen

[Aüervelk]

What's the general idea of how to play this hand early in Sngs? I used to push it every time in the 10+1's since many peopke pushed any ace, but in the 30+3 I think it might have been a leak I just fixed.

Now, I'll open raise it, but fold to a raise, and muck it if facing a raise.

Comments?

[Staple Gun]

Almost always opening with a standard raise, expecting that any caller have worse hand, and folding to reraises unless blinds dictate otherwise. But usually early on AQ is not a hand I will ever push preflop on.

[vqc]

just raise it 3xBB preflop and play it from there.

[Shark Bait]

just raise it 3xBB preflop and play it from there.

same, except when at the first or second blind level. Then I raise a little more.

[drmcboy]

Now, I'll open raise it, but fold to a raise, and muck it if facing a raise.

This is perfect - if opp has been raising a lot of pots, maybe try a re raise, but calling a raise with AQ tends to go poorly.

[vqc]

Now, I'll open raise it, but fold to a raise, and muck it if facing a raise.

This is perfect - if opp has been raising a lot of pots, maybe try a re raise, but calling a raise with AQ tends to go poorly.

I think AQ is fine for calling a raise. If someone raises 3xBB, I dont see why you cant call, especially if its AQs. If a Q or an A flops, its not wild to think that you may have the best hand.

[drmcboy]

So you call with AQ, flop is AJ8, you bet, get raised, what to you do? What if he's first to act and bets into you? You now beat A10, A9 and A7 on down, maybe KJ... meh. You need two pair to feel comfy, any hand is comfy if you make two pair. If you're playing AQs as a draw hand, I'm OK with calling a raise there.

[jmontis]

AQ is just a trouble hand, you can play it if you know when to lay it down.

[Staple Gun]

With a 3x BB raise, If you dont get reraised you can usually know that you have the better hand preflop. Because AK is probably reraising, and any pocket Q or higher would be also. But if you get reraised Im laying it down almost every time without a read on the player. AQ is such a tricky hand because its right between premium and good hands.

If you raise and get 2 callers, flop comes A-J-7, you raise and get reraised big, I would lay it down. A-J, 7-7, maybe sumthing like A-7 or JJ too. But if you raise and get called, then bet the turn hard because there more likely playing a low ace like A-9 or A-10.

If you raise and get 2 callers, flop comes A-3-3, you raise and get reraised I would often be pushing here. It is much more likely they have something like A-J or A-10. Unless you have a read thats the player could have A-K and didnt reraise preflop. Overall you should be able to make money with AQ if you know when to lay it down.

[drmcboy]

I agree with all the above, the key being:

If you raise

If you aren't driving the bus with AQ, you will go off the cliff more often than not.

[Aüervelk]

So you call with AQ, flop is AJ8, you bet, get raised, what to you do? What if he's first to act and bets into you? You now beat A10, A9 and A7 on down, maybe KJ... meh. You need two pair to feel comfy, any hand is comfy if you make two pair. If you're playing AQs as a draw hand, I'm OK with calling a raise there.

Exactly, calling with AQ is bad. I'd push before thinking about calling. Q-high board is pretty much the only board you'll like.