Hi
I generally play at the £2 level - Deepstacks & freerolls. Im finding I lose with these hands a lot as at this level it is impossible to stop the rag ace brigade from entering the pot. They will call 5-10x BB reraises or pre-flop raises. I already fold pre flop hands like KQ for this reason.
I also seem to find whenever I have 1 of the above hands an Ace on the flop is almost guaranteed (area 51 anyone?)
Problem is I'm getting drawn in to playing the rag aces myself as otherwise I'm the only person folding pre-flop most of the time.
If I am playing the hands above I'm probably in front pre but after flop against 4/5 oppos I'm almost always beat somewhere.
Only solution Ive found is to bet like 20+BB - then u steal the blinds or get called when ur beat (need to steal a lot of blinds 4 this to work)
Seems only solution is to ditch these hands & only play rag aces & 67 910 43 etc like everyone else
Any advise?
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Comments
I can guarantee right now that aces on the flop don't come as often as you think. If you have KK, carry on raising and pray raggy aces call- of course, you have to be ready to re-evaluate when the A does come, as it will at times. Same goes with QQ/JJ/10-10, but you have to raise more aggressively with the weaker cards to isolate, IMO. QQ is solid, but JJ and 10-10 are a little more vulnerable- there's a large chance of overs coming down which can make you question your hands strength.
I know how you feel regarding raggy ace players and the A hitting, but trust me- it's not as bad long term as you think. If you're playing KK aggressively and getting callers, thank your lucky stars- people mostly fold when I get those kind of premium hands
My favourite hand is A6o for exactly this reason. You can limp in and if you miss it has cost you no more than a couple of bb's, but if you hit you can take down a big pocket pair! Also the fact that its offsuit means you have 2 flush draws as well.
Ditching these would make me cry but as u say they r vulnerable - possibly treat them as small pair & limp hoping 4 a set?
At present whenever I get these hands I start to groan as I KNOW i'm gonna lose big with em. I Have adopted the small raise approach & fold if I see an Ace. This seems to minimise the pain but am I getting into bad habits here?
When you play those hands, you have to get a good range on what you've been called by. If someone has a real premium hand like AK/AQ/any pp, chances are they'd reraise you, at which point you take the coinflip preflop and shove- you've got the best hand at that point. Don't give them a cheap way to hit their cards. If they flat call, then it's more likely to be a raggy ace, possibly suited connectors or two high cards- so read the board texture and reevaluate how strong your hand is now. One non-ace overcard, and your hand is probably good, so bet out- if you get reraised, be prepared to let go. More often than not that flop bet will take it down.
with A5o we have kicker problems
But with A5o You Can Also Hit The Straight And A6 You Have Kicker Problems Aswell Mate IMO!
The cut off raises 400 (blinds 100/200)/I have jj on the button.
I shove all in , he calls and shows a2o.
Guess what he hits an ace on the flop and another ace on the turn.
How uncanny.
This is surely down to luck, no skill needed.
I got it allin with KK against 34 (raised to 900 from 150/300bb, they called, they bet out on a J62 flop, I shoved, they hit 5 on river). It's annoying but it's poker, and I want that situation every single time- when the chips go in I'm around an 80% favourite. The fact they hit their card doesn't change the fact that's a great spot to be in.
What's the alternative with jacks? Play it more passively preflop, see an ace come down and fold? What if they bluff you off with a weaker pp, suited connector or KQ/KJ/QJ etc? Get the money in pre and leave it down to luck is the best thing, if they're willing to call off large portions of their stack with raggy aces, then happy days.