[Mason Malmuth]

Hi jt1:

I think you have a number of things here confused.

First, when we looked at TTH we found the advice it gives not to be very good. So whatever it tells you I would discount it strongly.

Second, to call with overcards on the flop you need to have an idea of what the chances of catching one of the overcards is and having it be good and then compare it with the size of the pot. In some situations calling can be correct, but in others it can easily be wrong.

You also need to take into account your position. If several players are still to act behind you, it may cost you several bets to call, not just one.

Also, keep in mind that you are more likely in some spots to win if you draw to and hit a hand like KQ as opposed to AK. That's because when you catch an ace, you are more likely to make someone two pair. See HPFAP for more discussion.

As for calling or raising with a hand like AQ in late position in multiway pots, that is discussed in our books and has been addressed many times on these forums. What you need to understand is that when the pot is multiway but not raised, you will (in general) show a profit by raising with AQ. However, the question is can you show a greater profit by not raising with it?

Not raising will give you some strategic advantages, and you save a bet the times the flop comes bad for your hand. So our advice is to consider how well your opponents (in the pot) play. If they are awful and come with lots of weak hands, you lose too much by not raising before the flop. On the other hand, if several of them play reasonably well and require legitimate hands to be in there, what you give up before the flop can now probably be made up for plus a little by only calling.

Best wishes,

Mason