Check out our brand new Local Poker Communities! Get updates and interact with poker players in your area.
Visit the United States Poker Community | Visit the California Poker Community | Read more about the Launch of P5s Local

How do you play strong ace in early position?

Reply to Thread
  1. The Chin The Chin is offline

    Webster, NY
    United States

    Posts: 56
    Joined: Feb 05

    Feb 2nd, 2005 (2/2/2005 4:58pm)

    I would like to know some thoughts on how you guys play AK, AQ, AJ, A!0 in early position in tournaments. Assume the tournament is on UB with buy in of $200. I usually raise big preflop and bet on flop, but this gets expensive if you don't hit. Some people suggest just limping in. Any thoughts?
  2. Adam Adam is offline Emperor

    Atlanta, GA
    United States

    Posts: 12,629
    Joined: Dec 04

    Feb 2nd, 2005 (2/2/2005 5:04pm) in reply to The Chin

    A couple thoughts:

    1) A 10 and A J aren't really strong aces. A J is borderline, but it's hardly a hand I'd be calling with in early position, let alone raising. I will always raise with AK, pretty much regardless of the position, because it is a PREMIUM hand, but AQ is questionable. I tend to raise with it at most tables, but if you think a lot of opponents may CALL, you may not want to raise. Afterall, it can be a dangerous hand even when you hit. When you don't hit, it's easy to get away from.

    2) If you don't feel comfortable playing a flop with these hands for a big pot, or you believe you have aggressive opponents who will try to bet you out if you seem weak, maybe you should just limp. The last thing you wanna do is put a bunch of money in pre-flop when you know someone's gonna try to bet you out on the flop (esp when you're out of position), unless you have a hand you feel is most likely to be the best after the flop, particularly a high pair.

    It really all depends on how comfortable you are playing a medium to large pot with these hands, and how good your READS are on your opponents. If you have a pretty good feeling about what they're holding most of the time, then you may feel more comfortable getting involved with marginal hands. I still recommend NEVER playing A 10 in early position, unless it's suited and you are planning to only really stay with it if you hit the flop hard (two pair or better, or top pair and obvious no one has you beat--rare). In a $200 tourney, people are going to eat you up if you're getting involved with those hands out of position.

    Adam
     
Reply to Thread