2 BEGINNER QUESTIONS

help me.... 2 questions that even pros may struggle to answer... maybe not.

Background info: I'm playing low stakes NL holdem .05/.10 are the blinds, $10 max buy in. Now these players are terrible, so they can have any hand at any time (to some extent).

1. let's say u have AA in first position, how many BB do u raise? Do you play it different than last position? Since these tables will almost always get calls all around, raising in 1st position just pushes EVERYONE out. Raising in last position makes them think "hey i'm already 10 cents in, why not call 30-40 more."

2. Sometimes when I raise (5x BB), I get 5 callers, and most likely 1 of them have me beat. And at other times, when I raise the same amount, I don't get a single caller.

3. When I raise with AKs and the flop doesn't hit my way. Someone is betting into me medium sized, what should i do?

Raise as much as they'll call with AA, whether it be 10BB or 50BB. Try and get as much in there preflop when you know you're ahead. With AKs, try and put them on a hand. You're most likely beat becuase they're betting but try and see if you can accurately put them on some holdings. Eventually you'll know when person A bets so much from such a position based on such and such action leading to him, he's usually got this.

-'rilla

Originally Posted by Invizard

Background info: I'm playing low stakes NL holdem .05/.10 are the blinds, $10 max buy in. Now these players are terrible, so they can have any hand at any time (to some extent).

Me too...but don't make the mistake of thinking that every player in these games is this way. You have to read the players even at this level.

Originally Posted by Invizard

1. let's say u have AA in first position, how many BB do u raise? Do you play it different than last position? Since these tables will almost always get calls all around, raising in 1st position just pushes EVERYONE out. Raising in last position makes them think "hey i'm already 10 cents in, why not call 30-40 more."

I rarely vary my preflop bets for this exact reason.

You could go the other route and put your bet amounts all over the place, which would probably have the same effect, but I can imagine it would introduce leaks.

In addition, the "standard bet" method means that if you are betting, say 4xBB most of the time and come out swinging with 8xBB, people will assume it means something and likely get out of your way.

Originally Posted by Invizard

2. Sometimes when I raise (5x BB), I get 5 callers, and most likely 1 of them have me beat. And at other times, when I raise the same amount, I don't get a single caller.

That's not a question...

Originally Posted by Invizard

3. When I raise with AKs and the flop doesn't hit my way. Someone is betting into me medium sized, what should i do?

I'd often fold. Again, it depends on your read on the player, but no matter how pretty this hand looks, sometime you just have to let it go. Once in a while come back over the top with a reraise to keep the other player from getting in the habit of betting you out anytime you miss. It's definitely situation-specific though.

Originally Posted by You kinda

How do I play AA from 1st and last position?

Very similar. However, in both instances, read the table. You don't want 5 or 6 people in the hand, you want 2-4 and then re-analyze after the flop. You don't want to be out-drawn. But with more people seeing the flop/turn/river, there are more chances to out-draw your AA.

Depending on the table and position, you need to size your bet so 2 other people call. To perfect this skill, you need to play a lot. But 5XBB in a microlimit (.05/.10NL) sounds about right. A little more from late position with a lot of limpers and less from early with people still acting behind you.

Originally Posted by You sorta

How do I play AK on a missed flop?

Well, if you are sure you are beat, and drawing to 6 outs (3 Ks, 3 As) then you may want to lay down. Read the flop, but chasing with only 2 overcards is not a habit you want to get into.