Playing Axo

I never play Axo where x < 10 from any position and I have a hard time playing A10o UTG. What is everyone's feeling on this? I see so many people playing Axo so many times and calling raises with it.

edit: made it x < 10, duh!!

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For sure. Ace rag off-suit is one of the worst hands you can have really, since if you play with it you'll likely either win a small pot (you bet with an ace on the flop and no one calls) or lose a big pot.

On a full table that is. The less players, the less you have to worry about being kicked, but even then you have to consider it.

Is there someway we can broadcast this during the world series of poker or something, because I'm sick of people losing with it and complaining. Got into an argument today with a guy about it. I know someone can play any hand they want and it's their choice, but he kept going on about how...it's ace high!!!

Let the fish keep playing it thinking it's a solid hand.

On a side note, I just foled A8o as I typed. Playing in the Sun $5 multi at Paradise.

Last time I played , the flop was


Hmmm 8-)

After I watch some people play it and win (which it always seems like they do, I know not remembering the times they don't and muck it), and then I get an Axo and fold, I just want to say..."see, that's how you fold A5o".

Originally Posted by allLiving

Last time I played , the flop was

Yea...and I once played 72 in a blind and the flop was 772. Guess I should start playing that more often.

Originally Posted by davfagan

Yea...and I once played 72 in a blind and the flop was 772. Guess I should start playing that more often.

Please tell me when and where you will be playing when you adopt that strategy. 8-)

I'll be using that strategy at the play money tables on Poker Stars, find me any time...I'll probably be going all in preflop too.

Full table I don't play AJo UTG.

6 max, I'll go down to A8o on the button if I can open or trap a loose limper. It really depends on table texture, etc. But usually anything below ATo is a fold. I won't call a credible raise on less than AQo.

That being said, when you play it, it helps to know exactly where you're at...

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 max, 6 handed) converter

Button ($28.47)
SB ($45.40)
BB ($17.10)
UTG ($47.25)
Fnord ($24.75)
CO ($29.70)

Preflop: Fnord is MP with A, 9.
UTG calls $0.50, Fnord raises to $2, CO calls $2, Button folds, SB folds, BB folds, UTG folds.

Flop: ($5.25) 9, A, 4 (2 players)
Fnord bets $4, CO calls $4.

Turn: ($13.25) 8 (2 players)
Fnord bets $8, CO calls $8.

River: ($29.25) 4 (2 players)
Fnord bets $10.75 (All-In), CO calls $10.75.

Final Pot: $50.75

Results in white below:
Fnord shows Ah 9c (two pair, aces and nines).
CO shows Ks Ac (two pair, aces and fours).
Outcome: Fnord wins $50.75.

In this hand I knew UTG was loose, and the CO was tight. I raised to trap UTG (who had a far worse hand), grab some blinds and show some aggression to set up a raise later with a better holding. When CO called, I knew I was in trouble and on a worse flop I would have backed down fast.

In a NL ring hand, unless you're in the SB or in late position, or if it's suited, you shouldn't play A10 or even AJ, and they should be easy folds UTG. You can even make the case for laying down A10 or AJ in LP if you're in a strong game.

Originally Posted by twosevoff

you shouldn't play A10 or even AJ, and they should be easy folds UTG. You can even make the case for laying down A10 or AJ in LP if you're in a strong game.

If you can open-raise, the blind steal equity should make them profitable from at least the cut-off and button. Particularly in a somewhat tight game where the blinds are likely to fold to your steal.

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Hi folks. I am new to this forum, and just joined Poker Stars about a week ago.
I love to play the 2 table SnGs.

On to the topic.
How do you feel about Ax in a shorthanded game? I am thinking about the later stages of SnGs. When you are down to 4 or 5 players, will you play it from any position? Do you limp with it or bet it like crazy. Does it make a difference if the blinds are getting large?

Originally Posted by Ripptyde

'blind steal equity' ???
LoL Fnord you a loan officer gone bad ?

Thanks again for busting my balls I knew I could count on you

To me, A off-suit rag (lets say anything below 9, even though I typically fold A9 as well), always look like a piece of shit hand to me, even if I'm down to 4 or 3 players. Heads up, ace high is a slight favorite over a random hand, so its pretty good there. But still I'd probably rather steal the blinds than play the hand out (assuming its late in a tourney and the blinds are huge).

With 4 or 5 players like you're talking about, still anything below AT offsuit should be an automatic fold, in my opinion, unless you're on the button and there's no limpers (where I'd raise), or in the blinds, where you can play the hand if there's no raises. AT at least the added bonus of being within straight range, and you're nearly sure to get action (and possibly outdrawn, as people will probably have outs) if a K, Q, and J are on the board. But it still a pretty iffy hand.

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I asked because earlier tonight I was playing a 10+1 and was down to 5 players. I had just under 6k, large stack was over 10k and kind of loose, but very lucky, others were under 3k. I got Ax 3 straight hands and folded them all, while big stack was raising every hand. BB was 600. Finally one of the short stacks called him all in (about 1200) and he showed K8o. He also lost that hand. A few hands later the blinds were hurting me, and I went all in with AK suited, he had K7o and caught his 7 on a rag flop. Just was trying to get an idea if everyone agreed that folding these hands was correct play in this kind if situation.

damn where do you play your 10/1's at? thats alot of chips, what did you start off with? 3000 each?

Pokerstars, 1500 to start, 18 players.