What *playable* starting hand do you have the most trouble with?

[Karak567]

I struggle the most with AQ and JJ.

[KingDan]

AQ

[FlyingSumo]

99-QQ.

[gumpzilla]

I'm really curious why people find AQ so difficult to play at low buyins. I think kicker problems with the A are relatively rare against most low level opponents (in my experience in the 10s and 20s) and unless it's in the first few hands you can generally get a sense for who you might have to watch out for. I think at low levels AQ doesn't really play much differently than AK postflop, but it looks like others disagree. Would those who have responded so far saying they hate AQ care to elaborate?

[flyby4553]

Funny, I was just thinking this as I got dealt AQo 3 times in 4 hands two-tabling during the early levels. I tend to play it too aggressively and find myself in situations on the flop where I get in trouble either trying to take down the flop or playing the Q as second pair/2nd kicker. My solution in the short term has been to play the hand much more passively early, which seems to work until i fold to a 100 chip raise from the CO who ends up having Ax and who I would have had dominated /images/graemlins/mad.gif.

[J-Lo]

I just fold AQ from EP, position makes hands soooo much easier to play. I'm weak w/ JJ, and need to learn how to raise and play it like QQ, but overs come so often.

Seriously, i get in trouble w/ AKo. In a $55, i'll have 900 chips at lvl 3. I raise to 150 from EP or 175 from LP. lead out for 150-200 on the flop, get raised/checkraised on raggedy flop. Now i just lost 350 chips, left w/ 550 at lvl 3-- WTF!?!?!?

[Seadood228]

Maybe they are playing it against AK too often, or calling raises and reraises. I can't think of any other reason.

As far as AQ being overrated... I tend to disagree.

[stupidsucker]

AK

[fluorescenthippo]

AQ, TT, and 99 out of position. i wish i could just trade in these three when i get them for one AA later

[Seadood228]

I've become more accustomed to limp/pushing with 12-20BBs. So far it's worked pretty well in the SNGs, and has always worked well in the MTTs.

And there's not much wrong with open pushing this hand at that level IMO.