O8 hand for review

[vetman81]

Let me start by saying that I have been running bad as of late and I think playing hands like this out of position may be one reason.

Ultimate Bet 2/4 Omaha/8 (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is UTG with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
Hero calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 folds, MP1 calls, MP2 folds, MP3 folds, CO folds, Button folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (4 SB) 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(5 players)</font>
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, <font color="CC3333">MP1 bets</font>, SB folds, BB folds, Hero calls, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: (3.50 BB) 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(3 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="CC3333">UTG+1 bets</font>, MP1 calls, Hero folds.

River: (5.50 BB) J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(2 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">UTG+1 bets</font>, MP1 calls.

Final Pot: 7.50 BB


Both players were betting on low and neither had a 7...my aces would have been good for high. I know not to think in terms of results, but this has happened a number of times lately. My reads have been off and I have folded a handful of winners. Would anyone else have played it differently (besides not playing it at all)?

As I said I have been running bad as of late and I am just trying to figure out why. I dont feel my play has changed, but at times I think I may chase draws too much. It seems like over the last couple of days that my A2 never comes in and when it does I am getting quartered and sixthed. Anyways, I just need to figure out where I am going wrong and fix it in a hurry. Thanks for any feedback.

[PublickStews]

I'd fold on the flop.

[Buzz]

[ QUOTE ]
Would anyone else have played it differently (besides not playing it at all)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Vetman - I think you should raise before the flop. I'm not a big advocate of pre-flop raises. But with this hand from UTG, I think you should raise. Your object should be to limit the field. Then, assuming your pre-flop raise was effective, and you only had maybe three opponents, you should bet this flop, even though you don't have a seven. Hard to say how it would have played out - but that's how I think you should have handled it.

Without the pre-flop raise, and with five opponents seeing the flop, I think you should fold to the bet on the second betting round rather than chasing with your aces.

But I don't think you made a mistake by folding on the third betting round.

Just my opinion.

[ QUOTE ]
It seems like over the last couple of days that my A2 never comes in and when it does I am getting quartered and sixthed.

[/ QUOTE ]

You too? Get in line.

Buzz

[maplepig]

Buzz, do you raise this hand preflop with a loose aggressive crowd? I mean that you know there will be at least three callers including the blind, and some late position will semi bluff raise with many kind of draw(sometimes even a low draw)? I always have trouble with this hand too, really would like to know how to play it correctly.

[Buzz]

[ QUOTE ]
Buzz, do you raise this hand preflop with a loose aggressive crowd? I mean that you know there will be at least three callers including the blind, and some late position will semi bluff raise with many kind of draw(sometimes even a low draw)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Maplepig - (How did you come up with that name?)

No. You don't try a tactic you know won't work. I'm often thinking in terms of what would have worked the last time I played myself. And I generally have done better with AA4Xs hands by raising before the flop. But I wouldn't try it at some tables.

But if your moves won't work and if you're dodging semi-bluff raises, you may be getting out-played and should seriously consider looking for a different group of opponents.

[ QUOTE ]
I always have trouble with this hand too, really would like to know how to play it correctly.

[/ QUOTE ]

How to best play a hand always depends on your opponents. First you want to be at a table where you're out-playing your opponents when you get dealt AA49s in the UTG seat. Then you want to raise with the hand and out-play your opponents.

What if you're at a table where you're not outplaying your opponents and you get dealt AA49s in the UTG seat? Well then you're just screwed. Limping with the hand is not good, but you might as well see the flop as cheaply as possible. It would be defeatist to fold AA49s, a premium hand, before the flop.

Just my opinion.

Buzz