Calling ranges

[aytopper]

I am constantly trying to improve my game and lately i've noticed that im playing way too tight(13/8/2). The main reason for this is because anytime I get dealt a decent hand that I might want to raise some tight player in front of me decides to splash in the pot. This is causing me to muck a hand that I wouldn't mind playing if they weren't in the pot. For example, say a player of 20/6/1 raises in MP and im next to act, when I look down at AQo. Normally, I would either raise or call with this hand given the table conditions, but in this situation I am almost always folding.

My question is, what percent of my opponents hands should I have beat before I decide to either raise or call them? Also, what about if there is a call of the raise already in front of me already?

Thanks,
aytopper

[chipper5711]

FWIW - If you want to loosen up a little bit (13/8), perhaps consider playing that AQo or other hands you normally wanted to play if you are in position (CO or Button). That way, you at least have a chance to act last and possibly pick up a cheap pot if the board looks like they may have missed and they are somewhat weak post flop. You'll find that often, that 20/8 player is simply open raising with a lesser quality hand if nobody bet before them. You AQo may indeed be good. Throw out an occasional raise from position against players in MP who open raise. You might just take down some quick hands without a flop. Remember, position matters! That will help you loosen up just a bit.

[jyms]

If a tight player(20/6/1) in front raises to 4xBB what is that in your eyes. You think he has just AA, KK or AK? Why would you not call with AQo having position. Your not playing way too tight, your playing weak tight, and thats a whole other problem.

You don't alwasy have to have your opponents hand beat to call his raise, hell if he has AA every time, if the effective stacks are 100BB deep you can call with almost any two. The more you know about your opponents hand, the less odds you need to call his bet.

[Chopper]

trainer is right on, as usual.

your aggression back at the raiser can send a stronger message than your cards. when holding AQo and facing a raise ahead of you, if you decide you want to play it anyway...YOU MUST RERAISE with it, unless you have a strong read of the villain only raising with huge pairs.

reraising gives you info you badly need before the hand gets too expensive. if you get RRed back, you are prolly not good, unless the fool is drunk. if you get called, you now have the initiative in the hand, and position...something you dont need to hit 2 pair with the take the pot.

of course, you need to watch your opponents, and read them. are they loose, passive, aggressive, etc? do they cbet a lot? all of these add up to information you can use to force a slightly better hand to fold.

if you want to loosen up a bit...from late position, i dont very often do the AQ or KQ thing, as i am too easily dominated. but, i will play small pp's and sc's and suited Aces if others called the raise. sometimes, i will RR with them when HU to the raiser and i have the position. this, imo, allows you to have position and "live cards" heading into a likely premium-card-playing villain.

when you play the "trap" hands, be very careful of going too far. it is easier, and more +EV, to drop the hand on the flop if you miss, and play very aggro if you hit. especially, if you are suspicious of AK.

hope that helps a bit. tough to explain in one topic, but did you notice how often we have said...POSITION?

[aytopper]

This is just what I needed to hear. Thanks for the help, this is really going to help out my game as long as I can get myself out of this weak habit. If anyone else has anything to add I would love to hear it.