Pushing preflop with AA/KK

[miajag81]

Recently I have been experimenting with open-pushing preflop every time I get AA or KK at 50NL and 100NL, my usual games. It's been working pretty well as I'm getting a lot of donkey calls with stuff like AJ, 88, etc. Is this +EV in the long run? And by +EV I mean "more +EV than the standard open-raise?"

Obviously with more observant opponents at higher limits this would not work, but I have a feeling it might be the best play at small-stakes NL.

[PaultheS]

Open pushing 100BB? I think you'd have to have exceptional table selection for this to be any good (i.e. be sitting next to a monkey who only has one button on his keyboard, call).

I really can't even see the Party 50/100'ers calling these pushes without TT+.

[miajag81]

Don't get me wrong, most of the time everyone folds. I'm saying I think it's possible that the times I get called with hands that are crushed make up for those times.

at micro limits this play actually works out sometimes for me, as I'll get callers with hands like 66 to A-9o. I usually push the all in when someone has already raised in front of me and now they are staring down a huge overbet as I always buy in for the max. I guess everyone thinks I'm bullying them and I'll get called 75% of the time.

[PaultheS]

My instinct would say it's not worth it. If you really want to try it, save it for times where it looks a lot like you're tilting or being really over-aggressive (after getting a few good hands and playing them all aggressively, for example).

Love your avatar.

[subzero]

From what position are you getting most of the calls from? I could see getting a lot of calls from the button (best position) or even BB (represent stealing out of the blinds). You're also probably getting called by smaller stacks looking to double up. I prefer doing this from the SB or BB since you'll be OOP after the flop. You don't have to push, though (a 10+ BBs should do it).

[miajag81]

Seems like I most often get a call from someone who has limped or made a small raise in early position and I push behind them.

[usi34]

I've tried this at NL50 on party and been somewhat successful. I've found the best time do it is when some raises the minimum pre-flop and there are several callers. Then push it in and usually you'll get a call.

[theordinaryboy]

does anybody risk going all-in with a trash hand when they reckon everyone will fold, then show setting up a trap when the Aces or kings come next?

[punter11235]

Its good idea in SSNL. Maybe not everytime. But from time to time you can try :
a)open pushing after bigpot but you lost or won (ppl will often think : tilt or you think you are invincible)
b)open pushing UTG just for a change
c)raising to amount which looks like misclick for example 88 instead of 8 on 200NL
d)limp/reraising allin from EP
e)just reraising allin after someone raise and someone else called
f)pushing from SB after many limpers

I was making a killing with AA/KK (and even with AKs vs super donks) pushing these hands preflop in good spots. People will call amazingly often. I remember a hand when I pushed for 350$ at 200NL with AK and got callers with KQ and A2 ! or open push with KK UTG and got a call from AK
Its just matter of timing but certainly worth experimenting with.

Best wishes