[lork]

Recently in a NL tournament, I came across a unique situation. I was the big blind and looked at my cards and seen I had pocket aces. I wasnt sure if I should raise it because I wanted to get the maximum amount of money with this hand. Anyways, I did just check, the flop was 8c,Jc, and and a 10d. A player in the middle position went all in. I called his bet. We flipped our cards and saw he had pocket jacks. An ace fell on the turn, giving me trips. The card on fifth street wasnt valuable to either of us. I came out the winner of course. Yeah, I won the hand but I just wondered of I played it correctly. I could obviously run into a scenario where someone has a pocket pair and flops a full house and giving me only 2 pair. But anyways, I just want to see how you guys would have played it. Thanks

[norshvind]

play pocket aces and kings fast and furious dont let people make their draws with em slowplaying pocket rockets is a good way to lose alot of money you got really lucky you caught an ace on that hand

[pritz]

i usually raise 3 times the BB when i'm in the BB with top 3 pair, it'll drive out wannabees but may keep in AQ, AJ, any pairs, maybe J 10 s,
and maybe 2 faces. Then you've either won right there or often be heads up and have a better chance.

[chris]

I agree with Norshvind slowplaying big pairs is a mistake in a lot of situations, especially since it takes discipline to muck aces when you think you're beat. One thing that is important to your strategy that you left out is how many players called the blind before you checked it down. It makes a big difference in how you play the hand and how much you would raise the pot to maximize profit. Also don't bet 3BB every time you catch a big pair, it's ok when your at a low limit table or most home games, but strong players will pick up on it over time and it could lead to some painful losses and cut profit. Oh yeah and the last thing to think about w/ AA in the BB is what most of the people at your table have been doing with their big hands. If you noticed anyone who was in the pot with you had been consistently limping with big hands always raise it with hopes of a re-raise and then that should clear out most of the weaker hands that can break you with a lucky flop.

[johnf]

It's definitely important to know how many players limped into the pot before you...

If there were two-four limpers, I would certainly have raised at least a token raise...a little massage bet if you will, hoping someone makes a big mistake and comes back over the top.

If no one had limped except the small blind, then you would be more justified in checking your aces preflop...personally, though, I prefer to limp w/ aces from either UTG or very early position, the button, or small blind. Otherwise, I'm raisin' it. However much you raise is your choice, but I like to make a standard sized raise (depends on what the standard raise has been at the table).

I don't think you should have limped in the scenario you described...most people will call a moderate bet if they've already put some money in the pot, and good for you if one or two drops out. Obviously, the jacks would have called you, or perhaps even raised. Either way, it's a tough call when someone bets hard into you on that flop, particularly since he was allowed to limp in and could have just about anything at that point.

[petronder]

It always seems to me that how you play A's or K's pre-flop is directly related to the final outcome of the hand. If you slow-play and get burned, you played them badly. If you win a huge pot, you played them beautifully. If you raise big and everyone folds, "you could have made more". Finally, if you raise big and someone calls and catches a huge hand on the flop, "you should have checked and saved some money."
I say this because this is exactly what I hear at home games and at the casino from the other players. No matter what you do, it's a good play if you win and a bad play if you lose

[norshvind]

oh btw why has no one mentioned he played it terribly on the flop by calling the all in bet when he was way behind in the hand and only a miracle would save him

[lork]

I agree,that a call w/ 27o from the SB is never correct however I believe the hand is playable in a few situations. i.e. everyone in front has folded and a tight-weak is in the BB(especially true in no-limit). I'm not saying you should look for oppertunities to play this but in some(very rare) situations, it may be correct.