value bet? from small blind facing 3 opponents

[tighterr]

5 handed, 3/6

2 callers, hero completes in sb with AQo, bb checks.

Flop, 636(rainbow)
hero value bets?

This game was civilized. No one playing much garbage. I figured that with no raise preflop I probably had the best hand and with that flop I can easily bet to A) protect my hand, which is likely to still be best. B) because I have the an EV edge. Thoughts?

[New001]

Why didn't you raise preflop?

[reb]

I raise this preflop 100% of the time, and play it from there.

[tighterr]

I raise it preflop 90% of the time. I had raised preflop the past 3 hands in a row and thought that my preflop raises were losing their effect. And I like to leave some deception when I am in the blinds with a nice hand like that. This wrong?

[Roy6]

[ QUOTE ]
This wrong?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say yes most of the time in limit poker.

[goofball]

It's a fine and reasonable bet. Especially given the game texture you describe. I'm in the raise PF camp as well.

[tighterr]

If an Ace or Queen hits the board I can check and let someone else bet it for me. No one is going to put the sb on AQo unless I raise preflop. I was giving up a small edge preflop for a bigger edge post flop.

[tighterr]

So no one ever just checks from the blinds with a hand like this? Do you think I am lossing alot by doing so on occasion?

[abacusse]

I find in shorthanded that the PF raise really, really matters and effects the other players strongly. Raising PF and then betting with such a flop makes the possibility of snatching the pot there and then a lot more probable.

[Alexthegreat]

Not raising this PF is pretty bad I would say...I actually think the fact that you raised the last few hands or whatever is all more the reason to raise...You'll get paid off more often when you hit, and on a flop like this, lots of worse hands will give you action....