Playing Aces UTG

[Quads]

So, we are having this discussion in our group, and I thought it would be fun over here to get some other people's input and thoughts.

The conversation is in playing aces, coming into the pot with, opening the pot, re-raising, forcing others out, etc.

Cash Game
UTG- How much do you open the pot holding A/A?
You have an average stack at a full table.

$1/2 NL $100 buy-in - avg stack $150 - You open for ________
$2/3 NL - 200 buy-in - avg stack $350
$3/5 NL - No Max Buy-in - avg stack $1,500
$10/20 NL - NMB - avg stack $4,000
$25/50 NL NMB - avg stack $10,000

[jdunford]

At a normal (reasonably tight) table, I open for 3xBB... the lower end of my usual pre-flop raise. Other strong openers (KK, QQ, AK, AQs) I'll open 3-5xBB. The exception is if the table has several loose-agressive players; then I might limp with the intention to re-raise... but I have to be pretty certain someone's going to raise behind me. Otherwise I could find myself up against way too many opponents.

[jojobinks]

some general thoughts

• the deeper it is, the more likely you should be to limp (first in or deep). implied odds are greater, and so are the reverse IO. deception more important.
• the less deep, then, the more straightforward you should be
• besides that, i dunno. 4x is my normal raise in a ring game. but this depends on what's going on in the game, how it's playing, who's in it, and so on

[BigWoody]

I don't like to get into the habit of doing the same thing everytime with X-X.
(Whether thats always raising with A-A or always limping with 8-8 ) I like to constantly mix up my game and change gears. If I was UTG with A-A (like the OP says) then I would most likely open for 3 x BB. But, given the right kind of table, I may limp in... but MOST of the time I'm raising 3 x BB.

[99%evil]

Depends on position and the table. If you're in early position with a LAG table, limp then reraise big (4x raiser's raise min). I'd set myself up early making big raises with anything, middle suited cards and pairs, you don't want to be doing 3x the blinds as your standard raise then suddenly raise 5 or 6x the BB, you'll give away strength. Keep em' guessing by raisin 6x the blinds with 6,7 suited and folding and showing if a paint flop hits. When you do it with aces, you may get someone to push you and then you'll be sittin' pretty. If I'm in late position and I've set up the 6x BB situation, i do it then, hoping to get one caller. Then it's off to the flop...

[weak]

Originally Posted by jojobinks

some general thoughts

• the deeper it is, the more likely you should be to limp (first in or deep). implied odds are greater, and so are the reverse IO. deception more important.
• the less deep, then, the more straightforward you should be
• besides that, i dunno. 4x is my normal raise in a ring game. but this depends on what's going on in the game, how it's playing, who's in it, and so on

sounds good to me. other important things would be my own image and the general aggression level at the table.

[A-Ro]

If nobody has called the BB, I raise 3X. If one caller, 4X. If two or more callers 5X.

[99%evil]

I hate playing aces against more than one person, so pushing people out is my main concern. Reraising a raise i hope to take it down there or get all-in. I'd like to get all my money in before any cards hit, the texture of the flop can change your play if you see the flop. My preference with aces is to reraise everyone out of the pot and take down a decent little pot or get all my chips in preflop against one person...at least I know I'm getting my money in good at that point, after the flop can be a completely different story.

[weak]

Originally Posted by A-Ro

If nobody has called the BB, I raise 3X. If one caller, 4X. If two or more callers 5X.

you're utg, so you'll have a hard time to figure that out

[drake]

What makes poker so hard is that everything is so situational.

Example: If I am playing with some donkeys close to the button with big stacks ....I just limp in and hope one of them raises. STRAIGHT OUT OF SUPER SYSEM.


Example 2: I'm playing with a bunch of good players and a hard table. Big raise.....maybe 4,5 even 6 times the big blind under the gun. Some good players will put me on Jacks or Queens and either reraise me with AK or even go all in!! Love it when that happens


Example 3: Mixed table of donkeys and sharks and I have below average stack under the gun........ 5 minutes of acting....ALL IN



JMHO,
Drake