pocket aces preflop

**jack** · 03-26-2011, 02:25 AM

what is the best way to deal with aces preflop when u get 3 bet? If u reraise it seems it a dead give away. If u just call u can give the player a chacne to flop a set whuich ot me seem s the best ev move unless u hit ur set and u get no more action???? please advise

**PokerCrucible** · 03-26-2011, 02:30 AM

First, I am primarily a tournament player so my theory here may not be correct for cash play.

I will always look at his VPiP as a way to figure out whether I should 4b or just call. Position also plays into it. If I am last to act, then I might pop it just to see how he reacts, knowing that I am last to act on all action post flop.

Specific to tournaments, stack size comes into play, do I have him covered, what is my "M" versus what is his "M".

I HATE getting all my chips in PF, so I rarely 4bet which could be a leak in my game, I don't know.

This may or may not help, but it is a good question.

**jack** · 03-26-2011, 02:40 AM

good advice thank you

**matsyendra** · 03-26-2011, 02:48 AM

More info would be nice. What stakes, position, etc. Saying that 4betting is a 'dead giveaway' doesnt really fit. 4betting ranges arent always the nuts. Unless Im 4betting, then its the nuts

Generally, especially at the micro stakes, we should be betting our value hands as much as possible.

**jack** · 03-26-2011, 04:37 PM

It was a $1 $2 no limit cash game at casino. I was in early position to the 3bettor. There was a $6 preflop bet I made it 20.00 the villian i guess now he was the 4 bettor repops to 50.00 all fold I pause for effect lol then make it 150.00. 4 bettor shows queens hesitates for a little then folds we all had 400 plus in our stacks.

**tallscotuk** · 03-26-2011, 05:55 PM

Like pokercrucible I am a tourney player but one question that I want to ask here is what is the villians and your table image like??

If you are playing tight and have rarely 3-bet just calling seems to be the best thing to do as a 4-bet screams the nuts, however if you are loose and 3 or 4 betting on a regular basis then raising sounds best.

In the same way if the villian is a station then fire away but if he is tight and unlikely to call a 4-bet just call.

I think there is more to it that just letting him catch a set.

**Veteran** · 03-26-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by jack

what is the best way to deal with aces preflop when u get 3 bet? If u reraise it seems it a dead give away. If u just call u can give the player a chacne to flop a set whuich ot me seem s the best ev move unless u hit ur set and u get no more action???? please advise

Like everything, it's situational. As a general rule, however, if you can get the money in while ahead, that's always best. Unless he's a constant (and light) 3better, in which case I might flat to keep him in, I'm 4betting almost every time and hoping we get it all in pre.

Originally Posted by PokerCrucible

I HATE getting all my chips in PF, so I rarely 4bet which could be a leak in my game, I don't know.

If you hate getting it all in pre with AA, then that is definitely a leak in your game.

It's never EVER wrong to get it all in with AA pre. And KK most of the time.

Postflop, it's a different story, you should be ready to lay down AA depending on board texture and villain's action. But preflop, please don't throw away money by folding AA.

**matsyendra** · 03-26-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Veteran

If you hate getting it all in pre with AA, then that is definitely a leak in your game.

It's never EVER wrong to get it all in with AA pre. And KK most of the time.

Postflop, it's a different story, you should be ready to lay down AA depending on board texture and villain's action. But preflop, please don't throw away money by folding AA.

This, and being 200x effective I think you need you need to 5bet pre, like you did. Being so deep, if you dont hit a set or have a solid read, I dont think you're going to comfortable getting all your chips on most flops or turns.

**aggromonk** · 03-27-2011, 01:31 AM

I would 4 bet here personally. With pocket aces preflop I'm looking to start a fight! I want to induce a shove. When you are being aggressively 3bet with aces, it's a dream come true. If you could poke him in the eye, or kick his leg I'd tell ya to do it

Look at it this way, lets say you flat his 3 bet and the flop comes K K Q, what you going to do? If he folds to your 4-bet you didn't have to deal with the an ugly flop, and he'll likely be reluctant to 3bet you for a while. I am still hesitant to get my chips in, but lately I've had some situations where I've just let them go, once you get comfortable with sticking you hand in with the odds, you can live with the outcome of getting sucked out on you'll notice your winnings graph looks a lot better.

**PokerCrucible** · 03-27-2011, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Veteran

If you hate getting it all in pre with AA, then that is definitely a leak in your game.

It's never EVER wrong to get it all in with AA pre. And KK most of the time.

I never specifically said with AA

, but in general I don't like to get all my chips in PF. As I have stated before, I am primarily a tournament player so my chips in front of me, most of the time, are all I have to wage war.

It would be much different in a cash game where I can always plunk down more cash to get more chips. However, as most of you know, your chips are your life in a tournament which is why I believe sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

I also think that confidence in your post flop play also comes into play as well. If the flop comes down K, rag, rag, I trust my judgement/feelings on whether to continue the hand or lay it down.

If I do have a I leak, I trust my coach to catch it.

LOL