Emptyshell's AA hand in limit

[Ironman]

Just to remind everyone:

Emptyshell was in middle position with A [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 2 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] Q [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

This hand has me scratching my head in a limit game because if I raise in MP1 I lose players that I want to draw, but when the flop misses, I lose the ability to be the aggressor.

Sitting at a 1/2 or 2/4 game.

Lets say the flop comes: (J [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 9 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 5 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img])

Against 4 or 5 players do you bet out (since I might not have raised preflop) or raise this flop?

Or does anyone fold?

Dave

[bodie]

Whether you raised or not preflop - I think I would check and call here, because:

a) if you raised preflop, most opponents would put you on either pocket aces with a low, A, 2, with other low cards, or all high. This flop doesn't help any of those. (Unless you were drawing to a heart flush, but here you're still drawing (and it's more unlikely that would be what you raised with, though possible),so it probably wouldn't discourage others who might have flopped a set or two pair.

b) if you didn't raise preflop, then raising still probably wouldn't scare off those who might be drawing for hearts, a set, etc.

Also, your low is very vulnerable since you have no protection if it gets counterfeited. I would check and call to at least see the turn - if someone raises I fold.

What card on the turn do you hope to hit to improve?

Check/fold.

[bodie]

The only cards he could hope for would be the Ace of spades, and then hope that the board would double - which would give him a scoop.

Or he'd have to hope for two runner runner low cards, neither of which could be an Ace or a 2, and then he'd only be hoping for half of the pot, if not quarters.

[bodie]

or of course a Queen, and then that the board would double.

[Ironman]

In the end...that's why I don't like to raise pre-flop from early or middle position even when I have a strong starting hand when playing limit O8.

I prefer to sneak up and raise the turn, trapping people for big bets, letting the hand go early when it doesn't work.

Dave

[gergery]

[ QUOTE ]
Check/fold.

[/ QUOTE ]

vs. 5 players. If you're up vs. 1 or 2 maybe you play it aggressively and see.