AJs

I am UTG in my usual extremely loose 10-20 game and raise with AdJd. I had been at the table for about 90 minutes and this was the first hand that I had paid to see the flop except for the occasional free play in the big blind.


6 way action including both blinds...$120 pot.


Flop: 2d3d5c


I bet. 5 guys call before the bb raises. I 3 bet it.


3 guys now fold. The sb (a very loose player) coldcalls and the bb calls. $240 pot.


Turn: 4s


The sb bets. BB calls. I raise. Sb makes it $60 to go. bb folds. I call. $380 pot.


River: 3s


sb bets. I call.


Any comments?

i would just call the turn and call the river, i dont really want sb to 3-bet the turn.


he's loose, but is he clueless? it is obvious you have at least one ace.


would he 3-bet the turn with an ace? would he try to make you lay down the ignorant end of the straight on a bluff?

see my post below Clinteroo's.


While I acknowledge that the turn raise is questionable, I don't think the uncertainty flows from what you are saying.

I don't like your raise on the turn, and your 3 bet on the flop is marginal. It depends on your read of SB, and if you think you could drive out a 5-6/6-7.

I wonder if we can flesh out the flop 3 bet. What are the pros and cons?

OK, serious answer this time.


In a tighter game I think the 3 bet is pretty clearly the best play. there could easily be an A-Q, A-K out and you would like your ace to be good if you hit. There is also a small chance that you win unimproved.


In this loose game you certainly don't mind that bb check raised but you also have to severely discount your overcard outs. Would you 3 bet if you knew that everyone would call? I don't think it matters much either way. In these loose games I tend to play much more passively until I have a hand.

First of all A-Js is not a lucky hand. Many of my sob stories are the result of playing this piece of cheese. It's definitely over-rated in the Sklansky hand rankings. I would say it's a group 9 hand in live play. Since you chose to put yourself in this pickle I think you played the hand very well on all streets.

What is required for something to become a "lucky hand"?


AJs should be a Group 9 hand? I'd like to see your revised rankings. Are you still keeping the monster 74s in Group 8?

"First of all A-Js is not a lucky hand..."


Does this mean that you disagree with the preflop raise?

I think you are probably beat but I like the way you played the hand. I don't think I would have played any different on any of the streets. Perhaps I would have just called the turn because one of your opponents could have a six but you still have the flush draw so a raise is not bad.


Was this a live game? Are you back playing at the Holiday Inn? It has been very good lately... better than normal if you can imagine.