Playing KQ pre-flop

[theblitz]

One of my major problems seems to be how to play KQ pre-flop.
Limping with them is easy when in EP and I will generally limp in LP if I am not first in.

What happens if I am first in? Raise? Limp?

What about if there is a raise before me?

Ideas would be much appreciated.

[DJ Sensei]

I play full ring, so if you're a shorthander, hopefully somebody else can tell you whats up.

I fold UTG, UTG+1 (occasionally will limp early if suited).
Limp UTG+2, MP1, MP2.
raise MP3, CO, button.

If raised ahead of you, use discretion when calling, as you could be dominated (especially when raise was in EP).

One thing about KQ is that it seems to be harder to play postflop than AK/AQ/AJ. If you brick the flop, you're still losing to A high, so be more judicious with your continuation bets.

[leehrat]

sh raise 4xbb+1 for each limper from all positions, utg included

[theblitz]

[ QUOTE ]
sh raise 4xbb+1 for each limper from all positions, utg included

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds a bit over the top.

I've seen a number of threads stating that even with AQo it could be correct to limp UTG.

[Isura]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
sh raise 4xbb+1 for each limper from all positions, utg included

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds a bit over the top.

I've seen a number of threads stating that even with AQo it could be correct to limp UTG.

[/ QUOTE ]

He is referring to shorted-handed (sh).

[tripp0807]

KQ sucks, and sucks a lot if it's unsuited. It's one of those hands that only wins small pots and gets killed in dominated spots because people look at it as, "ooh, broadway connectors."

It's only worth playing in MP and for a raise.

[beavens]

[ QUOTE ]
KQ sucks, and sucks a lot if it's unsuited. It's one of those hands that only wins small pots and gets killed in dominated spots because people look at it as, "ooh, broadway connectors."

It's only worth playing in MP and for a raise.

[/ QUOTE ]

i wouldnt go as far to say that.. KQo is actually one of my big nonpaired winners.. it's all about how you play it postflop.

[wdeadwyler]

I play KQo like this

UTG: Limp
any position folded to me besides SB, BB, and UTG: Raise
Multiple limpers to me in LP: Limp
In blinds against a raise: Call or fold depending on tightness of raiser (I lean towards folding)

KQs is an auto raise from any position regardless of limpers except for the blinds

I play 6-Max.

FYI AQo is an easy UTG raise.

[fathertime]

6 max raise it utg to button (kq beats 80% of hands). I raise utg and utg1 5x blind; otherwise 3 or 4x + 1; if called by a tighty behind you, be careful. There is no reason to limp with this hand in lp if others have limped--folks limp anything and odds are you have the best hand preflop, start charging.

limp in blinds; call or raise a habitual button raiser

only call raises with it when person raising raises a decent % of hands, in which case you may want to reraise in pos.

fold to reraise, except in exceptional situations

[wdeadwyler]

[ QUOTE ]
6 max raise it utg

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree, I want to play this hand in position, not OOP. If OOP, Im looking to play a small pot. I limp UTG

Just like in limit it doesn't really matter.

[fathertime]

Raising to 5xbb utg or utg +1 often buys u the button in 6 max.

Looking to play a small pot with a particular hand is not the way to approach the game. Look to play well post flop; read hands; make good decisions.

If a tighty calls behind me and the flop comes k high, I'll probably play a small pot BUT the chances of u being dominated aren't that high. Anybody no the % of this? I forget?

[wdeadwyler]

[ QUOTE ]
Raising to 5xbb utg or utg +1 often buys u the button in 6 max.

Looking to play a small pot with a particular hand is not the way to approach the game. Look to play well post flop; read hands; make good decisions.

If a tighty calls behind me and the flop comes k high, I'll probably play a small pot BUT the chances of u being dominated aren't that high. Anybody no the % of this? I forget?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, but I find that raising here UTG DOESNT buy you the blind, and then you are OOP, miss most flops, fire a continuation bet, get called, and lose.

Id much rather play this hand in position, or limp, hit and then play the hand hard.

[fathertime]

??? doesn't buy u the blind so u are oop? Are we playing the same game?

[fathertime]

from another thread: limon on play from the button re: kq

well what i meant is the button affords you the opprtunity to win 2 ways hit or steal. when you limp you have to hit and when you limp w/ something like 45s you often hit UNDER someone else which is awful. when you limp w/ kqs you often hit on top of someone else which is good. remember when a pot is limped everyone is drawing to hit the nuts and often times someone does, so why limp to a loser?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Raising to 5xbb utg or utg +1 often buys u the button in 6 max.

Looking to play a small pot with a particular hand is not the way to approach the game. Look to play well post flop; read hands; make good decisions.

If a tighty calls behind me and the flop comes k high, I'll probably play a small pot BUT the chances of u being dominated aren't that high. Anybody no the % of this? I forget?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, but I find that raising here UTG DOESNT buy you the blind, and then you are OOP, miss most flops, fire a continuation bet, get called, and lose.

Id much rather play this hand in position, or limp, hit and then play the hand hard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Deciding to limp or raise KQ UTG really depends on table conditions and your table image.

[4_2_it]

Interesting thread. My 2 cents is KQ is an example of a hand that has to be viewed in relation to post-flop skill. A horrible post-flop player should probably limp it till CO or the button before considering raising it. As post flop skill increases (and table conditions allow) this hand can be played successfully from any position. One of the keys is not falling in love with a Top Pair hand.

[limon]

only call a raise if yu can put the raiser on a hand and think you can bust him if you hit. limping is ok w/ this hand early because i dont mind seeing a flop with other limpers and i can call a raise often w/ this hand depending on who the raise came from and how deep they are. i will usually raise in position becasue i like 2 ways to win. if the hand is suited i might limp in position because there is a very good chance someone will hit under me and i dont want to get blown out by a limp rr.

[fathertime]

hmmm--interesting. I'd say if u are only fair postflop then you need to raise or fold this hand utg; utg-1. Limping utg in a family pot when folks are playing any 2 is tough.

[4_2_it]

[ QUOTE ]
hmmm--interesting. I'd say if u are only fair postflop then you need to raise or fold this hand utg; utg-1. Limping utg in a family pot when folks are playing any 2 is tough.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, but if you are below average post-flop you are really only playing this hand UTG for 2-pr or better value anyway.

[fathertime]

And so raising it preflop gives you 2 ways to win. Of course if being fair postflop means that you will only continue with 2 pair or better with no one left to act behind u then I suggest a fold. Our definitions of 'fair' are fairly different. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

When I read what limon writes, I look at it as advice from someone who is excellent postflop.

[theblitz]

[ QUOTE ]
i wouldnt go as far to say that.. KQo is actually one of my big nonpaired winners.. it's all about how you play it postflop.

[/ QUOTE ]
KQo seems to do me well too.
I am up 25BB/100 over 827 KQo hands.

On the other hand (pun intended), KQs is a break-even hand.

Maybe it is just easier to get away from KQo. Haven't lost too many big hands with it.

[4_2_it]

[ QUOTE ]

When I read what limon writes, I look at it as advice from someone who is excellent postflop.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes sir, limon is money. I hope he posts more in this forum.

If you think raising will buy you the button then go ahead and raise it UTG. I just wonder often this happens full ring. If it doesn't, now you are forced to showcase your fair post flop skills against two callers who have position /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[fathertime]

I was advising strictly for 6 max. Haven't played full ring since I found 6.

In 6 when called behind me I'm cautious and have no problem check folding and moving on to the next hand if I don't know where I'm at.