Another edition of "Who played it Best"

[ohpokergal]

Setting the scene:

• $1/$2 cash table at the Nugget
• Most players buy in for $200, but there's no cap on buy in
• Table has been relatively passive with consistent pre-flop raises to $12

The hand:

• UTG plus 1 has ---- limps for $2
• 2 or 3 callers
• Big Blinds has ----- raises to $12
• UTG + 1 raises $30 to $42
• Folds to button who calls
• Big Blind calls
• Flop comes
• BB checks, UTG + 1 checks, Button checks

The action:

• Turn is
• Big Blind bets out $25
• UTG + 1 calls
• Button calls
• River is
• Big Blind bets out $50
• UTG + 1 calls
• Button folds
• Big Blind rakes the pot

Please respond with comments and to the poll above.

-----Added 8 Jun 2009 at 10:53:53-----

Can you also guess who I am in this scenario?

Hint--- I'm not the button....

We've discussed this hand several times from the different perspectives, and there seem to be many different interpretations.

What's yours?

[Dr Fill Good]

I think its fairly standard, I feel like the AQ missed a bet on the flop. Good call down with AA, I don't really see a fold there on the turn or river as there is a very wide range of hands AQ player might have there. I'd say AA played it better, but AQ didn't play it poorly, just not optimally.

-----Added 8 Jun 2009 at 11:04:31-----

One other thing, preflop play. I'm not a fan of limp re-raising in first position with AA, but I'm not familiar with the table at all so it might have been correct there. I also really don't like calling 30 more with AQ. So preflop I don't like the plays, but again I feel like AA's play is slightly better.

[ThePenguin22]

I dont like the call of AQ oop after someone has limp raised. But I like the limp raise even less, (AQ ahead so far). I dont think the check on that flop is bad as it is a very big pot with two players to act behind. Pots such as these players get a little itchy and may try and take it with nothing right there. Hence a check raise is not a bad play, especially as you have to suspect utg+1 has AA. Can he fold this hand even to a check raise? (AQ still ahead with me). The bet out on the turn and river are too small for me, and I like AAs call down. (AA catches up a lot play wise on turn and river for me and if I had to pick one Id say AA played it better but I still dont like the limp raise.) Ive been a little critical considering I play at a level below $200nl, but Ive just pointed out what I didnt like, neither player was bad. AA just about gets my vote.

[sinman2]

I feel out of place even commenting as it is most likely you all play way above me, but here goes....really my only question is why the limp with the A's? Is it becasue of your good positon or were you trying to set a trap? With a starting hand like A-Q, I'm not sure any raise would've got him/her to lay it down, but you couldn't of known that you were up against A-Q. With the limp you have still gained no information. If it were a trapping play, then it seems like a good move to give up on your trap after the flop.

I can't say as I fault the A-Q player too much, but I'm not sure where "UTG + 1 raises $30 to $42" comes into play, perhaps (and it's likely) that I am experienceing the phenomenon known as a Brain Fart. It seems as like there is some information missing...

A-Q player as a good starting hand, is facing a limp-raise, so likely suspects trap. To say that A-Q shud be only thinking A's seems to me a little extreme, but I think calling to see a flop is a good idea.

Everyone checking the flop also seems understandable. Clearly A-Q is now hoping to spring a trap of their own after hitting that monster flop. After no action, the turn comes. Who wouldn't bet here?? You gotta, obviously.

Everything else seems pretty standard. Best hand keeps betting, busted A's keeps calling. A's would be TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH to get away from here.

I am going to be devil's advocate here and say I give the best play award to A-Q by a slim margin. Please keep in mind above mention declaration, I really only commented because I found it to be an interesting hand and it helps me learn also to put "pen to paper" as it were, and work things out that way.

Thanks for the post!!

[ThePenguin22]

I feel out of place even commenting as it is most likely you all play way above me, but here goes....really my only question is why the limp with the A's? Is it becasue of your good positon or were you trying to set a trap? With a starting hand like A-Q, I'm not sure any raise would've got him/her to lay it down, but you couldn't of known that you were up against A-Q. With the limp you have still gained no information. If it were a trapping play, then it seems like a good move to give up on your trap after the flop.

I can't say as I fault the A-Q player too much, but I'm not sure where "UTG + 1 raises $30 to $42" comes into play, perhaps (and it's likely) that I am experienceing the phenomenon known as a Brain Fart. It seems as like there is some information missing...

A-Q player as a good starting hand, is facing a limp-raise, so likely suspects trap. To say that A-Q shud be only thinking A's seems to me a little extreme, but I think calling to see a flop is a good idea.

Everyone checking the flop also seems understandable. Clearly A-Q is now hoping to spring a trap of their own after hitting that monster flop. After no action, the turn comes. Who wouldn't bet here?? You gotta, obviously.

Everything else seems pretty standard. Best hand keeps betting, busted A's keeps calling. A's would be TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH to get away from here.

I am going to be devil's advocate here and say I give the best play award to A-Q by a slim margin. Please keep in mind above mention declaration, I really only commented because I found it to be an interesting hand and it helps me learn also to put "pen to paper" as it were, and work things out that way.

Thanks for the post!!

Wow! You play above us all, you are Michael Mizrachi aka The Grinder!!

[rryu87]

if I miss a bet on flop with AQ after flopping gin, most likey shove river to get max value. AA would pay you off just the way he/she played.
from AA point of view, wtf..... you lost the minimum by playing probably the worst poker there is. no continuation bet on flop after limp reraise?? I mean, limp re-raise is already bad it is but without the flop bet there is no idea to know where you are at, plus just the way AA check calls is like screaming out "please don't have q" I would put raise at one point (even minraise) and if the opponent calls or shoves, probably shut down. Only a true maniac is capable of making moves on this type of board, and 90% of times hands that beat you are calling the raises.

[Chipless Wonder]

Can you also guess who I am in this scenario?

Well Dana, there's no way you limped with pocket aces, so my guess is that you were the one with A-Q.

Assuming I'm right, I like your original raise, but I don't like the call of the re-raise out of position. Nearly all flops except this one would be terrible for you...

[rryu87]

Well Dana, there's no way you limped with pocket aces, so my guess is that you were the one with A-Q.

Assuming I'm right, I like your original raise, but I don't like the call of the re-raise out of position. Nearly all flops except this one would be terrible for you...

I remember chipless wonder's re-iso in ISOP with AQ to send rounder63 to rail who had AA. AQ is the nuts obv!!

[CW Buckeye]

Well Dana, there's no way you limped with pocket aces, so my guess is that you were the one with A-Q.

Assuming I'm right, I like your original raise, but I don't like the call of the re-raise out of position. Nearly all flops except this one would be terrible for you...

I agree that Dana is the AQ.

I'm on the fence with the call of the re-raise. The button called as well which makes this pot all the sweeter. I think I call here thanks to the button calling.

No way do I think the AA play the hand better. To limp raise, then check the flop?

Check raise the flop is a good play. Turn bet is good. I would have bet a bit more on the river.

Other than the borderline re-raise call, AQ played this hand better.

[cdavi]

AQ ok, AA ok but a little better.

AQ pre I'm folding, but with the other caller I personally can't fold. I know I need to hit big at that point though, I don't even like a q high flop...unless it's q high all clubs.......

AQ mistake may not have been the missed bet on the flop (as I don't mind the check trap but I bet in the long run you will win more betting out than check trapping in cash games), but the 25 into 130ish on the turn isn't enough, and especially the 50 on the river into 210ish. If you're going to bet weak like that on the turn, overbet to confuse on the river.

AA player: I like the bet out pre and ability to rereraise a raiser from UTG +1 or slow play trap if HU...that being said, you should limp once in a while and raise a lot lighter to mix it up so who knows how the action had gone. The reraise was good but that shoulda screamed aa to everyone with minimal experience at the table. If they are an advanced player, they may not have aa and could have a lot weaker, but I'd bet 80% of the time limp reraise is KK+, maybe qq or AKs...but just maybe.

Great check on the flop.

Great call on turn and river, y put in more when so many hands 3 handed beat you. The best players could get away from the 50 on the river, but at a 1/2 game.......folding might be really bad...