Re: Sort of Theory Post
Hi Bobbo,
Valid points all. However, I still disagree.
You say a lead here is a big hand, mostly. I say it's a draw or a test, mostly. Aggressive players will lead into you on a dry, ace-high board with a draw (or even with air at times), because they know that if you have a hand like JJ, it puts you in a tough spot. They will also do it often with a medium ace like AJ and down, because you are a favorite to not have an ace, and to find out where they're at. Many players will muck that medium ace if you raise. While it's true that you want all of the aces smaller than AJ in, you still will not win much more from them even if you just call. However, and this leads me to the main reason I recommend raising here, you might lose a lot more with it if they make aces up on the turn.
The biggest reason to raise the flop here with AT and with any 2, IMO, is that an opponent who makes this lead into you will often have a hand that can't call a raise, but which will not put another dime in the pot UNLESS the turn card slaughters you. That is, they are leading with a gutshot, or 2nd or 3rd pair, or a baby Ace. If you smoothcall and they hit on the turn, you won't know it, and they'll bet again. If not, they'll probably check-fold, if you don't give them a free card again.
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