AJ againast a raise... (PP 10/20)

[Foribald]

What about this hand? The raise is from UTG do you think it's a call? Then when I hit the ace I'm scared that he has a better kicker but I do check/raise maybe better just to call down and let him bluff if he missed?


Party Poker 10/20 Hold'em (6 max, 6 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#CC3333">UTG raises</font>, <font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, SB calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (6 SB) A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets</font>, SB folds, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises</font>, UTG calls.

Turn: (5 BB) K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, UTG calls.

River: (7 BB) 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, UTG calls.

Final Pot: 9 BB

[Brom]

Seems pretty close to standard. Preflop is definetly a call in the 10/20 shorthanded games.

Another line that I might try is to bet into him on the flop. He could raise a lot of worse hands than yours and it also puts pressure on the SB if he decides to play. This might enable you to check raise the turn if it gets HU, or at least to help you define the players' hands that stay in.

Plays like that I only try when I have specific reads on opponents, and are generally not ones that I would try against unknowns. Since you posted no stats on these players, I'll assume they are generally unknown, and therefore I'd play it the same. Also consider posting in the HUSH forum for a little more precise advice.

You could also take a WA/WB line (i.e., c/c the flop and turn, then bet the river).

[DeeJ]

I bet the flop because I think he'll raise and push out SB. I then 3-bet the flop and if he caps I know he is almost certain to have me beat. If he doesn't cap then I play on. I'd be scared by the turn King and would check-call. The river would rejuvenate me and I'd bet out because he will fear the 8 and even if he had me outkicked with AQ I've just got back into the match with a split pot [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] and if he raises I fold.