AQ and AJ are best when you are 1st to act. A substantial raise (3 or 4 times the big blind) is generally in order. There is nothing wrong with just picking up the blinds here as you still have no pair until the flop. Once 1 or 2 people have enterred the hand, a raise is only giving them more value to call and you may be behind. If someone has already enterred for a raise, against many good players, a fold is in order. Position is important on following streets but what happened before it got to you is just as important.


As far as how to play a hand likes Aces and Jacks, I'd maybe go for a smaller bet (depending on the players) ONLY if the board was a rainbow, with no real straight cards connected. If the flop is 2 of a suit or A,10,J - A,J,Q etc. or even A,J,9 I'll move much more into the pot to keep the draws out and try to win it fast.


Keep playing hard!