[triplc]

I'll typically limp with AQo early (occasionally fold...very rarely raise) at a full table, especially out of position. I look at it this way...feel free to flame.

If I limp for 15 chips or 20 chips and it goes around the table unraised, I figure to be able to play it strongly if an A or Q-high flops uncoordinated. If I miss, or get raised by a player I respect, I lose 1 BB.

Conversely, if I raise to 75 or 100 out of position, and get reraised, I'm likely in trouble (AK, KK, QQ), or a small dog (any pair) and should fold...and I'm out a much healthier chunk of my stack. If I call the reraise and miss, I'm out even more. If an A or Q hits, I will lead out because of all the hands that would likely reraise me, only two (AK, AA) put me in big trouble on the A, and one more on the Q (QQ). Of course, trips or two pair would be a rather nasty predicament, too.

I guess for me it boils down to this. Unless you have a very tricky (or lousy...your call) player that will limp with AA, KK, QQ or AK, if my limp makes it around that gives me a lot of information, and it's information that tells me I'm up against inferior hands or smaller pairs. If I raise and get called or reraised, now I'm betting out of positing into an different, and better, range of hands.

As for the hand in question, I would probably call here. Trip Aces are still likely to be best with a Q kicker, and even though I might get busted, I can likely live with myself getting busted with trip aces. If someone's already got the boat or AK, tip your cap and sign up for the next one.

Play well,

CCC