Two consecutive AJ hands.

[Rage2100]

These are two consecutive hands from a Stars $3.40. What is the best way to play these from the blinds? The table had been loose with most raises getting called.


-----Hand 1-----
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP2 (t1160)
MP3 (t1585)
CO (t3040)
Button (t1690)
SB (t1630)
Hero (t1470)
UTG (t1465)
UTG+1 (t1740)
MP1 (t1220)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, J.
3 folds, MP2 calls t50, 2 folds, Button calls t50, SB completes, Hero ??


-----Hand 2-----
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP1 (t990)
MP2 (t1585)
MP3 (t3040)
CO (t1640)
Button (t1580)
Hero (t1740)
BB (t1465)
UTG (t1740)
UTG+1 (t1220)

Preflop: Hero is SB with J, A.
2 folds, MP1 calls t50, 1 fold, MP3 calls t50, CO raises to t100, 1 fold, Hero ??

[TLR]

I raise the first to about 250 and fold the 2nd

[DetroitHusling101]

Im stuck between just checking the first one or raising 250 like TLR said.
Fold the second.

[Geanosssss]

hand 1: I would check.
hand 2: I fold, just about every flop is going to be tough to play.

[drmcboy]

i check 1 and call 2. Hand 2 we have nice stack size to c/r AI if we flop a draw or Jxx

[Rage2100]

i check 1 and call 2. Hand 2 we have nice stack size to c/r AI if we flop a draw or Jxx

Hand 1: I did just check, hit the flop and won an extra 270 chips.
I just felt this was weak play but didn't know what else to do. I know I'm OOP and I should be trying to take the pot there and then but this rarely works at a $3.40. A raise could of got 2 or 3 callers so I thought I may as well take the free flop.

Hand 2: I called the 75 chips, missed the flop and threw it away.
Same reasoning here really, see a cheap flop and if I miss, throw it away.

The $3.40s are a nightmare for this type of hand.

[Gore Blimey]

Raising the first one seems horrible to me. You are building a huge pot with terrible position. Check. The second one, against loose players, I probably fold. CRAI on most twoflush flops is no good against fish, and that doesn't leave enough flops that I'm going to like with this hand.