A situation I was unsure how to handle, what's your opinion?

[Rikachu]

I realize there are many ways to play this hand, and each way have their respective arguments. However I still feel uncomfortable with this hand in this situation.

This is a low level SnG. I've recently started trying to adopt a more conservative style in SnG's to see how it works out. You know, conserving chips and trying to avoid high variance moves in order to get ITM as smoothly as possible. So I'd love if the strategic responses would be in that line aswell ;-)

Here's the hand (nothing spectaculair has been noted about the opponents, they're pretty standard for the level)


Seat 1: MP (2740 in chips)
Seat 2: CO [VILLAIN] (1715 in chips)
Seat 3: Button (1565 in chips)
Seat 5: SB (1055 in chips)
Seat 6: BB [HERO] (3435 in chips)
Seat 9: UTG (2990 in chips)
SB: posts small blind 50
HERO: posts big blind 100

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Qc Ah]

UTG: folds
MP: folds
VILLAIN: raises 100 to 200
Button: folds
SB: folds
HERO: ???

Raising: I've got a strong hand, however it would be kinda tricky to play oop unless the ace hits. I could raise big and hope for him to fold (and if he pushes I have good odds to call). I'm thinking that this play is +ev, but maybe creates too high variance, while I already have a secure stack size for aiming at the money? Whatcha think?

Calling: Well I do have a relativly strong hand, and if I don't hit it will be easy to get away from it. Although, unless I hit that ace it will be hard to play, and it's hard to get decent value oop.

Folding: A bit weak, but no variance and you get to wait for less marginal spots with better position.

I've been thinking 'bout this hand for a day but can't decide. I think either raise or fold.. But maybe fold for the decrease of variance. :-)