AQo meets resistance

Thanks for all comments

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

BB ($36.43)
UTG ($45.10)
UTG+1 ($47.55)
MP1 ($37.94)
MP2 ($33.78)
Hero ($59.90)
CO ($49.16)
Button ($95.13)
SB ($34.95)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. SB posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG calls $0.50, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $2</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Button calls $2, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, UTG folds, MP1 calls $1.50, MP2 calls $1.50.

Flop: ($9.25) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">MP1 bets $0.5</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 raises to $3</font>, Hero calls $3, Button folds, MP1 folds.

Turn: ($15.75) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP2 checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $7</font>, MP2 bets $28.78 (All-In)
Hero?

I feel like im going to get 28,504 posts about raising to $3.50 preflop instead of $2. I'm not here to argue about that, but I'm pretty convinced that $3 scares away the A8-AJ and KQ donks, but $2 keeps them in (unfortunately along with other trashier hands, but what can you do). Either way, I'd prefer to keep the focus on my flop and turn play, and action after villain's all in. That being said, if you have a very solid argument of why I should raise 7xbb preflop with AQo (or just limp), let it be stated.

thanks
Grant

[EMcWilliams]

That is a set line if I ever saw one. Without a read a lay it down.

With 3 limpers in the hand a 1.5 raise isnt going to do much other than bloat the pot, something you dont want with a hand that will hit TPTK a lot. I dont see any of the 3 limpers folding, and you might get a caller or 2 from behind you. AQo plays better HU than with 5 ppl in the hand. If you were first to act if folded to you 2 usually get the job done to accomplish what you want, but with limpers, its just yucky.

[wdeadwyler]

Dude reraise the flop. He didnt even pot the flop. I think you see QK and QJ here alot more than you see a set. Call him. TPTK is gold at 25nl.

[Maulik]

Grant,

You'll get one caller with $3.5, you'd be surprised. On the turn you gave a 1/2 pot bet and someone came all-in for 4x your bet. I see his bet on the turn as look I'm just as scared of the river cards as you are...

[Morrek]

I'd raise more preflop(yes I read your post and yes it helps alot), pot flop, 2/3rd turn