KQ question

[Goldz]

KQ in the SB preflop and there are 5 ppl in the pot at a loose post and preflop table: 3 of which i know will call a standard(3-4BB) raise with Ax, 1 who is VERY tight and weak, and another who just sat down. Do you think its more profitable to a)make a standard raise and hope theres no ace (which there probably is) b)make a BIG raise and try to isolate c)limp d)any other suggestions?

(It seems as though limping would be more profitable than a standard raise in this spot. Is this correct?)

[JeffreyGB]

If they're loose enough to call a raise and then call with Ax if an A comes (i.e. they don't worry about their kicker), I'd probably go ahead and limp (assuming they'll call if you hit and they don't). Then again, my standard raise with 5 limpers ahead of me is much more than 4BB...typically I'm thinking more like 6, to give them incentive to leave.

Edit: (added for clarity)
Here's what I'd be thinking about:
1. Are they likely to call my raise with a crappy hand, or just fold?
2. Are they likely to call a follow-up bet on the flop if they don't hit?

Basically, if they'll stay in the hand to the flop anyway, the decision can be based on whether they will pay me off in an unraised pot when I hit, or folding in a raised pot where neither of us hit.

[Lucid]

I say limp. Since you know 3 players will probably call your raise it doesn't pay to raise KQ. With that many callers you don't want to be the aggressor in early position with a hand like KQ. Raising hands like AQ, AK, and KQ, becomes +Ev in late position when you can isolate 1 or two opponents. It's profitable because you get to see how the other players respond and because if you don't connect and they don't raise you can follow your pre-flop aggression with a bet and steal the pot.

[dsaxton]

None. Just call the big blind. You don't want to put yourself in the situation of playing a hand like K-Q out of position in a raised, and probably multiway pot.

Also, if you do hit a pair on the flop, most players will put you on a weaker hand. This may lead to more action from a hand like K-J or Q-J. If you miss, you can just quietly check-fold.

There are ordinarily dangers involved in letting several players into a pot with a strong holding, but this is hardly the case with something as marginal as K-Q offsuit.

[Fnord]

How deep are the chips/money? How far do they take thier hands post-flop?

If they're call-happy and the money is deep I raise for information and to build a pot.

If the money isn't very deep and an all-in for something like 8-10x the BB will take it down I would push.

Otherwise, I like a limp.

[ekillian]

There's no way I don't limp. No way I raise here, unless I'm willing to race and try to double. I'd hafta be desperate to do that especially if I thought Ax would call me and I'd be behind.