Online Poker Forum at Full Tilt Poker

Joe_King · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:59 am Post subject: AAXX

Any advise on playing AAXX in Limit O8.
I find this hand very had to get way from expesially when its somthing like AA3J or AA29 or AAJQ knowing that alot of the aces coud already be in the other players hand with so many cards delt before the flop in a full table.

LUCIUS VARENUS · High Card Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

Sometimes it isn't even playable at all. For example, say you are in the SB with AA78 suited and an early position player has decided to raise. Its a loose table so he got 3 callers this hand. This is a really horrible situation, and I would advocate just folding. Most of the flops you see will be bad for your hand. Even when you flop a top set, you will either chop or lose more than half the time anyway, and your 78 represents prospects for low that are extremely rarely of consideration. And if you somehow flop a straight with the 78 or drawing to one, thats even more trouble because you're bound to lose in the long run drawing to half the pot (the cards that make the straight with 78 are most often the ones that make the nut low/second nut low for another player). In this particular situation you might consider also that the cards to which you are drawing are probably dead.

I like to say that the decision on whether to play a hand in FLO8 is situational rather than based on what the hand consists of (although that is obviously always a factor). For example, A35J double suited might look beautiful every time, but when a tight player raises and gets called by another tight player, you might want to reconsider whether you want to be in this hand. Also that same AA78 I mentioned could definately be playable in other situations, like when its folded to you on the button or theres one limp to you and its a tight table - you can isolate vs one player and be justified in aggression postflop or take the blinds and be done with it.

Mostly you should play AA though. It really depends on the situation and the sidecards - a 2 or 3 is very helpful, and sometimes if that isnt there, you might be double suited (always playable). When it lacks the good sidecards but might fair well as a high only hand, then I would usually limp in and hope to catch, otherwise fold postflop.

bizarroquinn · Message Board Junkie Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 1507

My general rule is always play a AAxx hand if you can see the flop for a limp.

If there is any action you have to have at least 3 out of the 4 cards working together in order to justify calling.

I want to have at least 1 flush draw, or 2-3 broadway cards, or suited connectors with the other 3 cards. The more the better and the more you can play, but basically if you have AA-rag-rag you should be looking to hit the ace otherwise you're done. Controling the pot size is crucial with a hand like AA-rag-rag especially in PL.

The only time I really feel comfortable with AA-rag-rag is heads up, in which has AA becomes very strong as if the board pairs you usually have the best 2 pair.

	Full Tilt Poker is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. © Copyright 2004 - 2005 FullTiltPoker.com., All Rights Reserved