Ax from CO or button, do I raise or fold?

[pokernewb]

This is probably a dumb question, but I never know how to play when I have Ax in CO or on the button. I usually fold them unless I'm on the button with a couple tight players in the blinds.

[ShowMeAtlas]

Depends on the number of players, blinds, stack sizes etc.

[pokernewb]

Well say its early in the tournament with a full table and equal stack sizes with blinds at say 10/20 or 15/30

[Staresy]

fold.

I am guessing you mean how you play them when the action is folded to you in the CO or on the Btn?

[taipan168]

If it's folded to you in the CO or on the button I would make a standard raise with better Ax (A2-A5 I might just toss though).

[pokernewb]

Yeah when it's folded to me. Thanks taipan. Staresy, would you always fold them or would you raise some of the higher ones like taipan?

[Staresy]

at 10/20 and 15/30 I just don't bother. AT is about my starting range at this low blinds. As the blinds start going up, my raising requirements starts going down in this situation.

However, the risk/reward ratio just doesn't make it worthwhile (IMHO). Why contest pissy little pots against goofball players that you can make stack-off against you at a later point when they are the ones who call with Ace-Rag against your Ace-Face?!?

[pokernewb]

Thanks starsy. One good thing though is it loosens your image a bit making them more likely to play when I you have a good hand.

[badandy519]

Thanks starsy. One good thing though is it loosens your image a bit making them more likely to play when I you have a good hand.

Don't worry about your image early on at low stakes sng's. You can sit there and fold every hand for the first 3 blind levels, push your AK/ QQ+ with 1100 chips at 50/100 and still get called by A4o, J6 sooted or whatever. Very few players are paying attention to what's going on.

[givememyleg]

This is probably a dumb question, but I never know how to play when I have Ax in CO or on the button. I usually fold them unless I'm on the button with a couple tight players in the blinds.

Just toss 'em.

[taipan168]

Thanks starsy. One good thing though is it loosens your image a bit making them more likely to play when I you have a good hand.

Don't worry about your image early on at low stakes sng's. You can sit there and fold every hand for the first 3 blind levels, push your AK/ QQ+ with 1100 chips at 50/100 and still get called by A4o, J6 sooted or whatever. Very few players are paying attention to what's going on.

What he said, it is too true. You don't have a table image a low buyin SNGs.

Actually, the raising range I indicated before was from the button. From the CO I probably look for A8 and up.

[pokernewb]

Good point badandy .

EDIT: Thanks for the clarification taipan

[gsxraddict]

it always depends on your situation, most of the time they are folding hands. You don't want to put yourself in a position to be dominated.

Being is position is not an advantage when your going to lose the hand.....


If you were shorthanded though and high blinds, then raise with any ace in position.