Unconventional AA hand - 1/2 live.

[Triumph36]

1/2 live at NYPC - Hero has been fairly tight-aggressive, Villain as well. Our stacks are about even, 320 or so (I think), and the table has been rather aggressive and passive; usually a pre-flop raise, usually a few callers, but more cautious play post-flop.

Hero limps UTG with AA. LAG in middle position makes it 10 to go, folds around to Villain on the BB who makes it 25. Hero calls, LAG folds. Flop is Q36 rainbow, Villain bets out 30, Hero raises to 80, Villain calls. Pot is 220. Turn is an 8, completing the rainbow, Villain bets 50, Hero calls. Pot is 320. River brings a 3, Villain bets 150, Hero agonizes and calls.

I don't know if I like my line on this hand. Both our hands, or so I thought, were very clearly defined, though Villain may have put me on TT, JJ, or AQo. However, he may not have cared: the re-raise pre-flop, the smooth-call on the flop, small turn bet, and bet of 150 with about half that behind looked like it begged for AA or KK to call and look at the nut full house.

[soah]

fancy play syndrome

I think you'll go broke playing like that.

[Triumph36]

I think I agree, but I'm not sure what you're referring to. The table had at least one maniac and two people who were raising any ace, any pair, or two broadway cards, so that was my rationale for the pre-flop play; I had intended to limp-reraise but I felt against Villain, that would define my hand as AA, so I did not want to give him an opportunity to fold QQ or JJ.

As for the turn call, I figured I was either well ahead or behind to QQ.

I thought this was an interesting hand because Villain has defined his hand so well, and because I did not.

[bobman0330]

I agree with the earlier response. You've gotten a great read on this guy's hand, but it's too late to do anything, and you've called off a ton of money against a hand you should've punished preflop. Reraise it PF to something like 70. So what if it gives away your hand... when you limp-reraise preflop, you give away your hand in return for collecting the PF action. Don't get cold feet because the play worked so well.

Now, limping AA preflop might be OK in some circumstances, but not here. You're going to be too scared to pull the trigger on any flop that contains a Q, a J, or a K.

[Triumph36]

But there wasn't much PF action. I'd hoped to get a few callers of the raise but there were no takers, usually there were four to a raised flop. The reason why I did not re-raise was because I had position on the person with a real hand; I didn't consider LAG a serious threat.

If we assume Villain to have KK, QQ, or JJ, with KK and QQ a lot of the money goes in on a raggy flop where he has no idea that I have AA, but if he had KK, all the money should be going in pre-flop. I have to fear the possibility of a set on the flop but if I hit my set I lose all my action. When I made the call PF, I felt that since I had position on him, I could control the pot size if both of us missed.

After telling Villain I knew he had QQ and how I shouldn't make the call, I called and he turned over 99, so I think my thinking here is very results-based. I doubt he calls my limp re-raise and I collect $35 when I should be collecting a lot more. He got lost in the hand since I think he had absolutely no idea what I had, and he didn't have position to find out.

[whodaman]

not much pf action? there was 36 + your 2 in the pot with you to act? i would reraise to around 65 and hope villian calls.
Your flop bet was too small too. Maybe to 110 would be good.
The turn bet is a little scary if this guy normally knows how to play...but he could easily have kk or AQ here.

I think you need to raise earlier figure out what he has.

[creedofhubris]

I think you played this fine; I think QQ is going to get all-in if given a chance, so you're pretty clearly ahead.

In fact, I would raise opponent all-in on the river, I think, and expect to see kings.

[TakeMeToTheRiver]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought this was an interesting hand because Villain has defined his hand so well, and because I did not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did villain define his hand so well? You thought he had QQ and he almost got you to fold to it.

[bigfishead]

Well, we are definatley going to get some more chips in this pot if I have the aces. I, unlike you, DONT want a bunch of callers. I want it head up. And when I get a chance to re-pop to shut the others out preflop then I will.

Earlier today: Grand Casino Tunica 1-2 NL....

$5 straddle I am next to act. I see aces. I say "let me get a chance to steal the straddle!" and make it $15 to go. SB calls, Straddle makes it $100 to go. I decide I dont want SB in there and re-pop to a total of $371...he calls with his JJ and I win.

Yes I will sometimes limp utg with Aces. But if the table is aggressive, loose, and especially with a straddler I will ALWAYS give it a pop. Then when re-popped all the chips are going in. I want to clear the field, making dead money and let'em try to draw or I'll take the pot now.

I think repoping him pre-flop, LARGE is a good choice. Certainly on the turn at the very least my chips will get in there. If he flopped it thats fine. Those chips are meant for him this time. Personally I read this play as no more than AQ or KK in his hand. probably 80% of the players at this level will check a set flopped.

[Bez]

Doyle Brunson, Power Poker 'Aces generally win a small pot or lose a big one'. Big re-raise pre-flop.