Hi,
I'm playing at fulltilt ($33 SnG)
I've been many times into trouble with AQo in early position (UTG for example).
Blinds are still low (20/40). What should i Do ?
option 1 ) Raise
- Raise about 140 (blinds are 20/40)
- In my last 2 SnG, i got 2 callers, of course no A nor Q on the flop.
- With 2 callers i didn't make any Cbet (may be a mistake).
- One of the callers then made a bet on the flop, and i fold.
- it's not a terrible result, i only lost 140, but did i play it well ?
option 2 ) call
I tried this option too. I think it's a bad option. i always get several callers (or a raiser). i often get into trouble.
Option 3 ) Fold AQo in ealy position. And wait for a premium hand when blinds are still
low ?
May be the best option ? But it's not easy to fold AQo
What are you doing with AQo in this kind of situation?
And sorry for my average english, i'm also trying to pratice it 
yes pharreal87, it's 9max SnG.
I think you're right, with only 1 caller (and if the raise is the best option), i should try a C-bet and see what's happening.
also i'm sure the times you raise and don't win the hand you lose a little but when you do hit you will win more.
cr4eee,
I play the stt 9 mans as well on full tilt and although I haven't really had into many problems with raising with AQ utg, i think your raise size is to big. Make it 100 which is 2 and a half times the big blind and if you miss the flop, no big deal but folding early is definitely an okay play as well.
I meant to post about raising less when i first read this but forgot.
Ok thks for all your comments.
I will try to raise a little less next time
i fold or maybe call that early. problem utg is that is you get raised you are in a bad spot. you are a coin flip or behind and then if i did limp i would fold.
the problem with a raise in early position is that you ussually get 2 or three callers early on so a raise does no good. and if some one 3 bets you you have to fold.
I raise 100% of the time that early in a tourney. I dont mind releasing to a 3 bet especially if its off suit. I find not many people are willing to 3 bet early unless they're maniacs or have the goods. Call is never an option unless im in the sb with a few limpers out. Sometimes i'll fold there 2.
That WPT Poker boot camp says you fold AQ under the gun...I don't know if I fully agree but anyone who has won millions is worth a listen.
Early stage, UTG AQo? Fold.....
I sometimes raise sometimes fold. I'd never call.
It's not a problem folding to a 3-bet.
As for C betting definitely into 1 person as you've shown strength from UTG but slow down if you get more than one caller.
If you dont feel comfortable playing the hand when you miss then just fold pre it's fine.
Depends on how much confidence you have in your abilities post-flop. If you can idenitfy flops that are decent for c-betting into two players then imo a raise is ok; but a raise to 100ish as someone else stated is probably a better idea than 140.
Limping utg is ewwwww and will hardly ever work out. You can't seriously advocate limp/folding AQo as a good way of playing it? And if you're limp/calling then its the same scenario as where you raised only youre seeing the flop on the back foot. The alternative scenario occurs when your limp triggers a limp chain - small-mid pocket pairs will come along and late position players will come along with more speculative hands like connectors. You'll be seeing a flop multi-ways, out of position vs most, and unless you hit it really hard you can get into trouble far too easily.
I guess a fold is alright too. Table reads would be important imo, like if your table is fishier than average you may want to fold as the chances of getting multiple callers increases. But if there's one particular loose player who you feel you can isolate, or if the table as a whole is tight, then a raise becomes more attractive.
first 2 levels and UTG fold, unless its a passive table and u are suited.
9max i assume? this is a tough spot i think. I don't play 9max stts so i'm not exactly sure what to do exactly. raising doesn't seem bad and if you are raising and getting one caller you should be c-betting most of the time. If this was six max or a DON i could give you great advice, always sucked at 9max stt thogh.