Playing overcards ... probably a very basic question

[KingLizard]

OK ... I should probably know this BUT I don't. So I'll ask the experts. Situation is 25NL and FR.

How to play overcards? Say, for example, you get A J in MP and choose to limp (I know this will elicit comments about limping but however you get there is what I am trying to convey). Maybe there's 1 - 2 players already in and perhaps 2 more callers will complete preflop.

Flop comes as something like 3, 7, 10 rainbow. If the first 1 - 2 players check, should I be betting 1/2 pot with my overcards? If I check, and one of the following players raises 1/2 pot, do I call?

I have seen situations (and done them myself) where I might have limped in the above hand with A 10 (or K 10 / Q 10 from the BB), and I will toss out a 1/2 PSB and usually get folds from there.

[givememyleg]

How to play overcards? Say, for example, you get A J in MP and choose to limp (I know this will elicit comments about limping but however you get there is what I am trying to convey). Maybe there's 1 - 2 players already in and perhaps 2 more callers will complete preflop.

Flop comes as something like 3, 7, 10 rainbow. If the first 1 - 2 players check, should I be betting 1/2 pot with my overcards? If I check, and one of the following players raises 1/2 pot, do I call?

Assuming stanard 25nl players... I would answer no and no. Of course everything is situational, but for the most part I wouldn't here. It's almost as if you feel you need to c-bet when you didn't start with a raise preflop. No need to walk into some "trap" or a passive monster... or calling station for that matter. I think cbetting even at 25nl is important, but it is called a "continuation" bet... which needs a start.

At 25nl you start to learn the basics and then can start to branch off.... at this level, 90% of the players will suck. They will call you down with all sorts of garbage. When I was at this level I was basically in "wait for a hand mode." I would advise to just stick with that, and occasionally try something new... but no need to spew.

[KingLizard]

Thanks for the quick response. I asked because it is one of those situations where I never really thought about what was the correct way to play it. For the record (he says embarassingly), I have about 30,000 hands at 25NL and running about 6PTBB/100 (which includes a massive downswing in late June running -11PTBB/100).

[TLR]

With 5 people seeing the flop someone will hit something.
If it was you + 1 or 2 limpers and you had position on them then its fine to bet 1/2-2/3 of the pot, you may win the hand right there, and if not you have 6 outs to improve. If you are reraised then fold ofcourse.
With 5 people in the pot even TPTK is not a safe hand