[jgca]

Yeah, right there is another big problem with playing the numbers that these guys are playing (as long as the numbers are statistically legit, or at least backed up by some hands they've shown down). They're basically informing you that they probably don't dominate A8s, and in addition player 1 is often dominated. You should have mentioned your kicker; very important to the raise. Anyway, A9s and A8s seem like a good value raise. Not a huge edge, but a true one. Plus, these guys are probably not blind to your play. You're going to be raising with a lot of hands that have a much bigger edge, and taking this smaller edge now is bound to help those other hands out.