Play it meek, or strong

[danger_mouse]

This hand came up the other day in a 10 +1 Poker Stars tournament a little before 1st break. I bring it up here because I got into an argument with a friend of mine regarding the best way to play it.

I don't have the hand history, so I'll have to paraphrase.

Read on Villain (UTG+2): Tight and probably solid. Doesn't seem overly creative, but has read a few books. I am very confident on my read.

Hero table image (MP1): Tight aggressive. I've made a number of steals, but the only time I've had to show, I've had the goods. Still early enough in the tournament where I don't think my image matters much.

Fun table observation. Once the pot is raised, there is a very good chance that a couple of gamblers will come along for the ride. I've seen at least 2 pre-flops raised 3-4BB, called, then overcalled by two others with suboptimal hands.

Action (blinds 50/100):
Folds to Villain (1,800) who min-raises to 200.

I have AKo (2,400).

(There are no super short stacks. Everyone has between 10BB-28BB)

What would you do?

I chose to raise to 600 to chase away the call-stations and to help define the villain's hand. However, please note I was 60% sure he had a big hand and was slow playing.

My friend's recommendation was to flat call and see the flop (because of my read).

[m bozeman]

I would play it just like you did. If you get re-raised, you can make the decision to fold or not. If he just flat calls, you have position on him, and the advantage.

[Lloyd]

First a little nitpicking:
[ QUOTE ]
Read on Villain (UTG+2): Tight and probably solid. Doesn't seem overly creative, but has read a few books. I am very confident on my read.

Hero table image (MP1): Tight aggressive. I've made a number of steals, but the only time I've had to show, I've had the goods. Still early enough in the tournament where I don't think my image matters much.

[/ QUOTE ]
Note: If it's early enough in the tourney where you don't think your image matters much, then it's early enough in the tourney where your read of the villain doesn't matter much.

[ QUOTE ]
Fun table observation. Once the pot is raised, there is a very good chance that a couple of gamblers will come along for the ride. I've seen at least 2 pre-flops raised 3-4BB, called, then overcalled by two others with suboptimal hands.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know if "suboptimal" is a concept that really applies in poker. I mean anything less than AA pre-flop is suboptimal by definition. A smaller pair or suited connectors with position might have the correct odds to call a raise pre-flop. I'm not saying that your table was playing good poker but cold calling might not be necessarily the wrong play depending upon what they had (and I assume they didn't show down often).

[ QUOTE ]
Action (blinds 50/100):
Folds to Villain (1,800) who min-raises to 200.

I have AKo (2,400).

(There are no super short stacks. Everyone has between 10BB-28BB)

What would you do?

I chose to raise to 600 to chase away the call-stations and to help define the villain's hand. However, please note I was 60% sure he had a big hand and was slow playing.

My friend's recommendation was to flat call and see the flop (because of my read).

[/ QUOTE ]
I see no problem in raising pre-flop particularly to drive out players behind you. If you were on the button or in the blinds then perhaps a call isn't horrible but the way the table was playing you don't want several people in the hand holding AK. It plays much better heads up and to get heads up a raise is correct.

[danger_mouse]

Re: My read. I had been playing with this player for almost an hour, so I'd seen quite a few hands with him. I wouldn't bet my soul on it, but in a game (early low buy-in MTT on Stars) filled with goofs, it isn't hard to pick out the one solid player. The reason, in contrast, that my image doesn't matter is because the vast majority of players in low buy-in Stars tournaments aren't paying attention. I am, though.

Re: "Suboptimal". Here are the few hands I saw in the situations I described. K10o and J9s. The rest I didn't see, so I guess that they could have been calling correctly. I doubt it though. But then again, perhaps I trust my reads too much.

Re: Your answer. The idea of calling being "ok" on the button was actually something I express to my friend. One of the main reasons I felt a raise was mandatory was my middle position. Thanks for your input.

[Pulplife]

Your friend's on crack.

You have to raise in your position...unless you want it to be 5-6 handed.

Get it heads up!