A9s in the BB Flops an A

[Elektrik]

Party $30+3. This felt awkward. Anyone play this differently? I'm not very fond of check raising with this weak of a hand, although I could see an argument for it.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (9 handed) converter

UTG+1 (t620)
MP1 (t1040)
MP2 (t805)
MP3 (t990)
CO (t1335)
Button (t795)
SB (t160)
Hero (t1600)
UTG (t655)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, UTG+1 calls t50, MP1 calls t50, <font color="#666666">5 folds</font>, Hero checks.

Flop: (t175) A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets t125</font>, UTG+1 folds, <font color="#CC3333">MP1 raises to t250</font>, Hero folds.

Final Pot: t550

[PoBoy321]

Bet less on the flop. With a coordinated board like that you're easily up against 2 pair, maybe even the made straight (I don't know if he'd raise with the made hand though). I'd say bet a little less, maybe 75-100 and save yourself a few chips. It's early in the tournament so you really don't want to start messing around with mediocre hands like these.

[betgo]

Why bet at all on the flop? Just check and see what the action is. If it is checked around, there is a weak bet or a late position bet that looks like a steal, you may be able to pick up the pot with a checkraise or betting out the turn. If there is a lot of action, you can assume your pair isn't good.

When you bet out from the blinds, people will put you on top pair weak kicker like you had. They may assume they are ahead or come over top with nothing figuring you will fold your mediocre hand.

If I flop a big hand in the blinds, particularly with a high board like this then I like to bet out and hope for someone to come over top.