Playing Ax/Axo to max potential?

[Alexander]

Ax and Axo (especially Axo) are the hands that I seem to really be having problems with playing. Any x that is T or lower and I seem to "freeze" up in my play, either pushing too hard once an ace hits the board or not enough.

So my question is this; outside of Axs (for flushes) do I just muck Ax below a ten or nine? Right now I'm playing at micro tables/25nl trying to build up a half decent bankroll and seeing a lot of fish hitting hands with just an Ax. Now I know that at times we all need to get creative but for a bogstandard ABC poker, what's the best way of playing those types of cards?

[Tom42]

Yes, you muck Axo below ten, especially in early position. In late position I sometimes raise with A7o+ when folded to, but this is more a blindsteal than a regular raise. Never call preflop raises with these hands, and I also don't complete the SB with less then A7o.

Axs is something different, i play them for the nut flush and twopair/ trips. I like to limp these from middle position on, especially on loose passive tables, and hope to stack someone with a lower flush in a big multiway pot. When i happen to flop an ace, I play it very cautious and passive if I failed to take the pot down on the flop. You have a marginal hand, don't play a big pot.

[Pelion]

At reasonably tight tables you can much AT from early position. Axs can be limped from late position but you are playing it for the flush not the straight.

Ax are real trap hands. You wont build much of a pot unless someone has at least a pair of aces (and you will usually be outkicked) so if you flop the ace you can usually take a stab and then give up if you get a call. On very draw heavy boards I wouldnt even take a stab since I wont know where I am even if I get called.

[TLR]

The problem with Ax, where x is small is that if you flop your A, usually if you will get action you are beat, and unless you hit two pair or better you cannot be confident with your hand.

From EP I will raise AK, AQ, muck the rest
From MP I raise AK-AT, much the rest
From LP I will raise A8+ if checked to me

[Sprayed]

The problem with Ax, where x is small is that if you flop your A, usually if you will get action you are beat, and unless you hit two pair or better you cannot be confident with your hand.

From EP I will raise AK, AQ, muck the rest
From MP I raise AK-AT, much the rest
From LP I will raise A8+ if checked to me

These are words to live by IMO.

[bantam222]

I think it is safe to say that at 25NL you aren't lossing much value by folding any medioker hands, weak aces included. Of corse if you want to keep moving up and beating the limits you will have to learn eventually but for now if they are costing you big when you are out kicked and find yourself chassing draws, folding may be best.