Selective aggression hand I don't agree with.

[bernie]

You're UTG with A5 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

6 to the flop.

Flop: K [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]2 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

BB opens the betting. Author says to call. I think this is a raise. I'd agree if you had undercards, then you want to keep customers in and get paid off a little more as that's your only real redraw.

1) You have an A overcard

2) You could possibly knock out a better hand making your A high good, and/or cleaning up an A out.

3) Calling gives any 2 cards odds to call if A high might be good at this time. It really gives a bottom pair odds when you might knock them out with a raise. See 2 above.

4) If only called on the flop, you have good bluff potential should another K hit on the turn. Thin, but possible. There are better boards for this.

5) If some call behind you, they may well pay you off just as well if you hit your flush. If some call behind you, the raise turns to value. Especially if you're A is a clean out. With one it's about even money.

He says the pot is small, only 6 bets. To me, 6 bets in an unraised pot with 5 opponents is enough to start cleaning up outs and maximizing my chances. Actually 7 bets after the initial flop bet. If you just call, many hands, other draws can easily call getting 8-1 or better.

The BB could also be betting a lesser draw as well as a K. If he has a K, he'd be hard pressed to 3 bet your raise given that he got raised by an EP who looks like he'd have a bigger kicker than normal given his position.

I also think you will get called and checked to on the turn much more often than you will be 3 bet in this spot.

Thoughts? Or is it close enough to go either way?

b