Everyone limps. You look down in the BB and see...

[AQheartbreak]

All but the AK offsuit. This is a multiway pot, and One pair probably won't win. you can make an arguement for value, but I would try to check-raise on the flop with the AK if i hit, to eliminate the field. With all the pairs, its pure value, Flopping a set is great, JJ is the preflop raise, muck the flop hand. Aces probably won't win, but they can (counterfieting is so fun with aces). 55, obviously you want the set. And the 67s I love suited connectors in a big multiway pot. out of position with it? eh, position isn't that important in a large field, its more important in 2-4 way pots.

[mistrpug]

[ QUOTE ]
All but the AK offsuit. This is a multiway pot, and One pair probably won't win. you can make an arguement for value...

[/ QUOTE ]

You have excellent pot equity against 9 random hands. By not raising, you are giving up a EV+ situation.

That said, you do make some good points even though I disagree with your conclusion. A big offsuit hand isn't ideal for a multi-way pot like this, but AKo is strong enough to overcome the disadvantage of not being suited.

Also, your wanting to checkraise the field after you check if a ace or king hits is compelling. By your reasoning, you're passing up a slight advantage hoping to have a big advantage on the flop [I think that's what you're saying]. However, I think you are underestimating how much of an advantage you have over the field preflop.

[schroedy]

I am raising JJ and 55 both for the same reason -- value bet to flop a set.

I am checking AA for deception, and because so many times I will like the flop and want to checkraise to chase people out (or give them the wrong odds to call). The thinking is that my overpair is best on many flops, and with a small pot I will be able to get rid of more of these limpers. I can see the flip side of building value, and the argument can be compelling, but in general my BB play is passive to begin with (some days I just check blind as a policy out of the BB and wait for the critical part of the hand).

AK I am not raising because it will have difficulty against a big field.

I think 76s is overrated, although I would consider a raise with JTs or T9s . . . or maybe if I was WAY up for the day 98s. When I make my straight I want others to hit some kind of hand so I like JT and T9 a LOT more than 76, 87, etc.

[mistrpug]

[ QUOTE ]
I am checking AA for deception

[/ QUOTE ]

You're giving up getting 4.5 BB into the pot (of which you have tremendous equity) for deception (9 preflop calls). That's a lot dude.

[schroedy]

In some games I can just blast away and everyone keeps coming. In others, they have a maddening habit of tagging along only if they have me beat.

I just don't want to build some huge pot pre-flop so that everyone gets the right price to tag along.

I am trading in theoretical profit for a better chance at this one. I want to win THIS pot, more than I want to maximize my long term results I guess is what I am saying. With respect to both AA and AK.

Or . . . to quote a famous economist: "In the long run we are all dead."

[mistrpug]

[ QUOTE ]
I want to win THIS pot, more than I want to maximize my long term results I guess is what I am saying.

[/ QUOTE ]

I find this strange. However, at least you realize you're giving up profit. If you're really more interested in winning pots than money, more power to you. Check.

And come play at my table [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[BottlesOf]

Checking AA here is probably onw of the most awful mistakes one can make. Ed Miller can elaborate. If he choses not to, check out his old columns (I have no link, sorry) and see why not raising ATs after a few limpers is a HUGE mistake.

[deacsoft]

A-A, A-K, and J-J. I like to get money in the pot when I'm pretty sure I have the best hand.

[felson]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd like the A-rag suited and rare K-rag suited out of my way, so I'd probably raise it. Thoughts on this ? Perhaps they wouldn't get out because the whole table limped ?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no way that these hands, or any other, will fold to a single raise after having called a bet.

[Malcom Reynolds]

The fact that AA, JJ, AK and 55 aren't all nearly 100% is alarming, as I thought most posters here had their preflop game down cold. I mean, those aren't even close. 67s is the only one worth talking about.