AJ/AT in SB with 3-4 limpers. Raise?

[keyser5]

might seem like a basic question, but im always torn between the raise of 3xBB along with the amount the limpers put in risking someone reraising or just calling slowplaying a big hand, or calling and seeing a cheap flop but then being stuck having to act first. happened 3 times in my tourney tonight, twice with AJ and once with AT. i raised once with the AJ and caught a J, someone slowplayed queens, and i got burned. smoothcalled the other two times, missed the flop, but got all caught up thinking if i raised i mightve taken the pot Preflop. those times i just check/folded not really knowing what to do. any help? should i just use a mixture of calls and raises or stick to one strategy. i didnt really have a read on any of the limpers and was stuck playing like a baby.

[SteveO]

There is no correct answer to this and it is very dependent on the table, and in tournaments, the level of blinds.

A10/AJ is not super great and easily dominated. Of course you would think that anyone dominating these hands might have raised but you never know. If you are going to face several limpers usually call to take a cheap flop. If you connect w/ TPTK or better you are genarally in good shape.

At later stages of tournament, raise it up. If you are short stacked these are AI hands facing all those limpers.

The fact that you ran into QQ has nothing to do with limping. Your opponent misplayed the hand by letting so many people see the flop for cheap.

Overall, it sounds to me like you are having more of a problem with playing these hands post-flop rather than pre-flop.

[keyser5]

thanks for the reply. my problem was defintely having a so-so hand and having to play it post-flop with 4 limpers. didnt really know what to do. im a much better live player than online player but im gettin a little better online. finished in the money for the first tiime in a multi last night. i guess call and hope to hit TPTK or TwoPair is my best bet.

[Radashack]

Calling is a weak play and will cost you in the long run. You want to raise to thin out the field and then play it post flop for the best results from this hand.

[a500lbgorilla]

Raise. You have the best hand right now. By just calling, you've given up on the hand.

-'rilla

[keyser5]

the more i think of it the more i realize how right you guys are. if i raise and get trapped by a big pair or AK, or AQ, its not so much that my raise was bad, but more so the weak play by the guy who limped in. the majority of the time those hands are going to raise and then i make my decision based on who they are and how they play. thanks alot guys. even though AJ isnt a great hand, in that position of 3-4 limpers and in the small blind until im proven otherwise it seems like i have to play it as the best hand at the moment.

[Fnord]

In a cash game I would just complete. Tough spot to play a raised pot out of position.

In a tourney I'm thinking about picking up the chips on the table pre-flop or via a raise that sets up a flop push.

[aleksandr]

First of all if I know you'll raise on the small blind with a hand and limpers, and I'm close to the button I'll call the blind and let you take the fire.

Here's the options quick as I see them:

AJ dominates Jx, as well as KJ and QJ, has 6 outs vs. low pocket pair, 3 outs vs. JJ, QQ, KK (which may be slowplayed occasionally).

If your table is tight, you should raise 3xbb here, kick out the low suited crap and see if you get reraised by a big hand. If your table is loose and alot of low suited crap is being played, call and if you get a sick hand (JJ, AA, KQT) put your all in down and see if QQ calls you. Otherwise if you make a hand you gotta just bet the pot or check it.

At this stage in the tournament you're looking to double up with a dominating hand, and you're not too likely to get it on AJo.

Also, if your table has a Rip at it, fold, because he'll make you fold it when you don't hit on the flop anyway.

[dsaxton]

I think raising with A-10 or A-J in the small blind is probably the wrong thing to do. You may win the pot right there since generally a raise from the small blind is a credible sign of a very strong hand, one which the limpers won't feel they can contend with, but if you don't, you probably won't flop anything and will be resigned to either showing weakness or bluffing at the pot in first position, and I don't think this is a very desirable situation. Why not just limp as well and try to flop something, and if not, check-fold?

[JeffreyGB]

I think raising with A-10 or A-J in the small blind is probably the wrong thing to do. You may win the pot right there since generally a raise from the small blind is a credible sign of a very strong hand, one which the limpers won't feel they can contend with, but if you don't, you probably won't flop anything and will be resigned to either showing weakness or bluffing at the pot in first position, and I don't think this is a very desirable situation. Why not just limp as well and try to flop something, and if not, check-fold?

Because he's playing in a tournament. If you're playing a cash game, your recommendation is probably best (well, maybe...depends on the table, as noted above). In a tournament, there's a very different style of play needed. I'm by no means a master at exactly what that style is - I mostly play ring games - but 'rilla and Fnord are. When they agree on a play, it's correct. I could elaborate on why I agree, but it's basically rehashing what they already said. The key point though is that this is a tournament game, not a ring game.

- Jeffrey