Party $10/20 - AJo EP post

[hakeem]

Everyone has around $2000, have no reads on any opponent as I have been in the game for about 10 hands at this point.

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

MP1 ($2279)
MP2 ($2510)
MP3 ($1900)
CO ($2760.78)
Button ($753.60)
SB ($2018.50)
BB ($2000)
UTG ($2000)
Hero ($2249.50)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. SB posts a blind of $10.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $65</font>, MP1 calls $65, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO calls $65, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB (poster) calls $55, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>.

Flop: ($280) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $250</font>, MP1 folds, CO folds, SB calls $250.

Turn: ($780) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
SB checks, Hero bets how much and why?

This might seem like a really dumb/obvious post, but being primarily a limit player I am still getting used to the idea of trying to limit (sic) the size of 1 pair pots. Given that the pot is already $780 here, do I really want to bet the pot here?

Is playing AJo in EP like this even a good idea in the first place?

[AceHiStation]

I don't like the reraise here preflop in such EP, but I most likely play it weak and check behind on the turn. You'll induce a bluff on the river in a lot of cases, but I could see a QT, JT, or flush draw easily. I think I check and debate a river call decision.

[JMa]

You are most likely ahead here, SB would probably raise preflop or raise the flop with QQ or better. As another 9 came off on the turn there is only one set he can have - the fours. Otherwise he has a draw or a J here. I bet 2/3 of the pot.

[IHateCats]

The board is somewhat tricky because there are both flush and straight draws but really how likely is he to be playing 8-10 or Q-10 here for the straight draw? He's quite likley just calling with a mid pair to see if you were just continuation betting AK. Check here and see if you can elicit a bet on the river from a weaker J or a smaller pair and pay off a straight that gets there but not the flush if those cards hit.

[punter11235]

I almost always check here. Its good if Villain check and call your river bet suspecting a bluff. Its also good to lose less if Villain have some kind of monster. Its only worse if Villain hase some J crappy kicker and it stupid enough to call down all his chips.

Best wishes

[creedofhubris]

[ QUOTE ]

Is playing AJo in EP like this even a good idea in the first place?

[/ QUOTE ]

In a full ring game, probably not. Certainly to be avoided if you're not comfortable with big pots with one pair, because that's what raising w/AJo makes a lot of.