Playing Ax Suited in MTT - leaky?

[JacksonConor]

With a mind for implied odds, I often play Ax suited, based off of the advice in the poker strategy section of this site. Usually limping, occassionally late raise or call of a small bet (especially if I think the small bet represents a monster, in hopes of taking a stack with a flush).

However, I've begun to feel that this may be a serious leak in my game in MTT tournaments. Obviously, even if you get to see a relatively cheap flop, you are very rarely going to flop the flush. Reasonable best case scenario is to flop a nut flush draw. Now, besides those opportunities to semi-bluff or semi-bluff re-raise after the flop with this hand, you are often in a position of either (1) facing poor pots odds to make a further call b/c someone who understands pot odds made a good sized bet or (2) calling a pot-odds friendly bet after the flop, only to have your flush not hit on the turn. Often, at that point, a larger bet forces you off your draw. Or, you make another pot-odds friendly call and don't hit on the river.

My point is, quite often you are investing a significant amount of money on this hand post-flop without a reward, or at least leaking pre-flop when limping or calling small raises. In a MTT, that kind of leaking, especially post-flop, can be death to a stack.

So, I'm open to suggestions on playing these hands. How are you doing it in mid to large MTTs?

[SteveO]

Early on low blinds, no antes, late position and lots of limpers play 'em.
You are looking for more than just a flush draw. Sometimes you take down ABig when you flop 2 pair or you make a set with Ace kicker.

A lot of times early in tournys players do not protect their hands in the multi-way pots and low blinds. You have 5-6 limpers you have to bet the flop like you mean it when you hit. Most people won't bet big enough to take away your pot odds if you do flop 4 to the flush which will allow you to continue to at least the turn. It's a 2 edge sword. Hands like Axs can build you a nice stack if you hit or quickly bleed you when you whiff.

If pot is re-raised or someone comes out firing big raises preflop it is an easy way to leak chips.

As always, position position position. You want to take flops with this hand in very late postion, CO or if you get a cheap look from the blinds but it is generally unwise to open with these unless you KNOW you are at a very passive table and don't expect a big raise behind which you almost can NEVER be certain of.

If it is a REBUY and you are still in REBUY period, play them from any position and see what happens.

[Hubris1]

I think SteveO nailed it. AxS is a great hand from the CO or button with a few limpers when the blinds are low, even with a raise and a few callers its great. Playing it out of position or with a single raise and no callers, or being the first in to call is leaky.

[Chicago_Kid]

I think SteveO nailed it. AxS is a great hand from the CO or button with a few limpers when the blinds are low, even with a raise and a few callers its great. Playing it out of position or with a single raise and no callers, or being the first in to call is leaky.

To add to this, if I flop an Ace, I play it like middle pair. I can't count the number of times I've called down and lost to AT.