AJs utg... Do u play it differently?

No reads.

FullTiltPoker $20 + $2 Sit & Go Table 1 - 30/60
- No Limit Hold'em - 23:06:39 ET - 2005/11/26
Seat 1: HERO (1,525)
Seat 2: ltoms79 (2,295)
Seat 3: RC 42O (1,250)
Seat 4: GeshenRab (1,450)
Seat 5: sflooder (1,645)
Seat 6: Nizzate (920)
Seat 7: MopITup (1,665)
Seat 8: HOF54 (1,075)
Seat 9: allzkings (1,675)
HOF54 posts the small blind of 30
allzkings posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh Ah]
HERO calls 60
ltoms79 folds
RC 42O folds
GeshenRab folds
sflooder calls 60
Nizzate has 15 seconds left to act
Nizzate folds
MopITup folds
HOF54 calls 30
allzkings raises to 180
HERO calls 120
sflooder folds
HOF54 folds
*** FLOP *** [Th Ts Jd]
allzkings checks
HERO checks
*** TURN *** [Th Ts Jd] [3c]
allzkings bets 180
HERO calls 180
*** RIVER *** [Th Ts Jd 3c] [Qd]
allzkings bets 360

HERO folds

AJs is a tough hand to play this early. I don't mind a limp (which you tried to do, but against a raise from someone that can just take a look at the flop, I tend to lay it down.

I like the check on the flop. Barring an AA-QQ, I think you took the lead in the hand, but it's just so damned hard to tell.

I fold it UTG. Easy call that way.

Fold preflop. If you think you were ahead on the flop then call down on the turn and river too. What are u afraid of QJ?

I fold that shiat preflop. Definitely comeout swinging on that flop though if I'm in.

Preflop call was a little loose but ok w AJs, and calling the minor raise was understandable. Looks like blind defense but if he hasn't been doing that, then it's probably legit.

But if you're gonna play AJs, you have to bet that flop. AA-QQ will raise (hopefully) to define their hand. Given how you played the hand, can't tell if opp has AQ, QQ, etc- or is just preying on the weakness you've shown throughout the hand. I guess it boils down to whether you think you can come back from 800 chips at 60 blinds, or if it's not worth the risk. It'll cost you 360 to win a pot of 1200 (3.3-1) so if you think he's bluffing or you can win it 30% of the time, maybe it's a call.

I'd probably fold it. Smells like a value bet.

I would come out with a $300 bet on the flop at least ... you've got to see where you're at here.

Originally Posted by konahead

Preflop call was a little loose but ok w AJs, and calling the minor raise was understandable. Looks like blind defense but if he hasn't been doing that, then it's probably legit.

But if you're gonna play AJs, you have to bet that flop. AA-QQ will raise (hopefully) to define their hand. Given how you played the hand, can't tell if opp has AQ, QQ, etc- or is just preying on the weakness you've shown throughout the hand. I guess it boils down to whether you think you can come back from 800 chips at 60 blinds, or if it's not worth the risk. It'll cost you 360 to win a pot of 1200 (3.3-1) so if you think he's bluffing or you can win it 30% of the time, maybe it's a call.

I'd probably fold it. Smells like a value bet.

I agree that the pf call was a little loose, but it was soooted so i wanted to see a flop on the cheap. Once he Reraised I probably should've folded. But i think my main mistake was playing weak, I never defined my hand. The possibillity of having to come back from 800 chips definetly affected the way i played the hand, but if i am unwilling to take the risk i should've folded pf to his raise.
As it is however what do u guys think is the best play?

1. come out swinging on the flop?

2. chk/raise the turn?

what hands do u lay down to each play?
lets give bb:22+ (obviously not 10 10 or JJ), AK, AQ, AJ

when an opp. min-raises or limps UTG what is your general thoughts about that opp's hand, assuming no reads?

easy fold at this point though... and i woulda thrown a a re-raise after his bet on flop to really test ur hand strength if he comes over the top hes got 10's if he calls hes most likely got j and u have the kicker so really lets ya know whats up

that would be my play though...

Originally Posted by thnwkd

I agree that the pf call was a little loose, but it was soooted so i wanted to see a flop on the cheap

Thinking this way is only acceptable in position. UTG/EP means you can't play hoping to see a cheap flop (unless you have odds to call against a hand that will raise [ie pocket pair]).

Playing for a cheap flop in EP is a leak. Fix it.


Postflop: bet the flop. If you don't bet the flop, definitely raise the turn significantly. As played, call the river because you have no information to tell you how he feels about his hand. He could easily bet this way with any two based on your calling-station play.