AJo, big flop

[ChromePony]

There's been a lot of AJo talk around these parts lately, and I feel like I screwed this one up pretty good. I know theres a 15 post thread on this just a few spots down so if you dont feel like rehashing the issue dont bother, but I thought I'd bring a real life example to the table.



Party Poker 0.50/1 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
<font color="666666">1 fold</font>, UTG+1 calls, <font color="666666">3 folds</font>, MP3 calls, CO calls, <font color="666666">2 folds</font>, Hero checks,

What's the verdict here? Last week I would have raised, but after reading some posts I decided I'm too aggressive with AJo, now after reading some more I think I was playing it fine. A few limpers, raise to thin the field with a good chance of having the best hand, right?

Flop: (4.50 SB) J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(4 players)</font>
Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, MP3 checks, CO checks.

OK, I hate slow playing, it doesnt work, I always get sucked out, but this is one of the only cases I find it somewhat acceptable, limp and hit trips on the flop, first to bet. I feel like a bet from the BB here gives away my hand too much. Is this too fancy? Especially with a suited flop, I'm thinking a bet here would be better.

Turn: (2.25 BB) 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(4 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">Hero bets</font>, UTG+1 folds, MP3 folds, <font color="CC3333">CO raises</font>, <font color="CC3333">Hero 3-bets</font>, <font color="CC3333">CO caps</font>, Hero calls.

Suddenly things heat up, not much to debate after this.

River: (10.25 BB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(2 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">Hero bets</font>, CO calls.

Final Pot: 12.25 BB
<font color="green">Main Pot: 12.25 BB, between CO and Hero.</font>

[prayformojo]

I bet this flop every time. At Party .5/1, the last thing your opponents will put you on is AJ. You'll get called by any ace or the case jack with lower kicker, and by various drawing hands. The board is too dangerous to let those draws play free.

[Moozh]

The average .5/1 party player will NEVER bet this flop. Don't be average and bet. Everyone will think you're trying to steal. They'll know you don't have the jack because you would never have bet it on the flop.

If you want to slowplay, the time to do it is on the turn. Pretend like you tried to steal the pot on the flop and 'give up' on the turn. A turn check-raise would be ok here.

River, fire away.

Thoughts?

[SomethingClever]

I count 3 missed SBs preflop, and possibly another 3 on the flop.

Hope CO didn't have a 9!