KQo in EP

[Mattafuga]

I play 1/2 generally on a variety of sites, and I've been questioning myself lately with how to play KQo either under the gun or in 2nd position.

My first instinct is to raise, and take control of the hand early, but I know that basically anyone who calls me is leading... what's the smartest move?

[capninsano]

I used to always use the same approach, but am questioning myself too recently. I've begun just calling with KQo and if not reraised behind me, figure I have the best hand with a K or Q. I will usually raise KQs. And then I make myself think if I shouldn't reverse the philosophy since suited hands are better multiway hands than offsuit. I dunno, good question. Interesting to hear what others say.

[Chipspin]

Sure, I mean, you're behind a lot of what folds too (eg Ax, 22 etc). But remember that PF raising is not just about "being ahead", it's also about taking control of a hand, and making your opponents draw against you. The best part is that you then get to represent whatever hits, regardless of whether you've hit nothing, a draw, or a huge hand.

[fishyak]

I like raising KQo early. As you said, control, AND there are still fish who will cold call, AND KQ hits a lot with low risk of domination, AND the flop usually results in an easy read about being ahead or behind. Look at the # of people who cold call you. Are there really 3-4 aces out against you every time? Or is everyone folding every time? Neither statement is true all the time. Adjust to your current conditions.

I know online is tight and I play live, but I love KQ because of its high "hit" factor and ease of finding an exit should that A hit. Raise with AT-AQ and you always have a little doubt about AK behind you somewhere. I think it is relatively easy to play this hand well.

And if you really want to mess with people's heads, raise KQo UTG and UTG+1 and LIMP AA from UTG (only).

[XmasXmas]

i think it's the general consensus of these forums that there isn't much difference between raising or calling KQo in EP with a lot depending on how you play post flop.

[Haupt_234]

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i think it's the general consensus of these forums that there isn't much difference between raising or calling KQo in EP with a lot depending on how you play post flop.

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Yep.

I tend to raise it UTG everytime.

Haupt_234

[chesspain]

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i think it's the general consensus of these forums that there isn't much difference among raising or calling or folding KQo in EP with a lot depending on how you play post flop.

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FYP

[bernie]

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but I know that basically anyone who calls me is leading...

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You give them too much credit.

Be more wary of the reraise, not so much the coldcall.

b

[SMACK BOOTY]

KQ off and AJ off are the 2 hands that are giving me the most trouble in EP pre flop. I've read very compelling arguments on this site for calling, folding, and raising with these hands. I agonize over what to do with these hands way more than AK or JJ, both pre flop and after.
Oh, and by the way, all this talk about "automatically folding this hand to a raise cuz I know I'm beat" is for 2+2 reader consumption only; very few people are able to b1tch fold this automatically to any raise everytime. How many players do you see fold EP calls to one simple raise with the average number of callers we experience at low limit?
To me, this play is table dependant (aggresive table I tend to pitch this believe it or not)and player dependent if raised. I don't get excited if I look down and see KQ off and AJ off until MP and there have been no raises. I'd rather have 88, its easier to get away from.

[bernie]

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How many players do you see fold EP calls to one simple raise with the average number of callers we experience at low limit?


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You shouldn't be folding this for 1 more bet behind you. 2 bets, yes. However, you should be folding it to most raises if you're going to be calling 2 cold. If it's an LP opening for a raise, then it's usually a raise/fold spot.

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very few people are able to b1tch fold this automatically to any raise everytime.

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These same very few likely don't beat the game that much, either. They also tend to coldcall with alot more than just KQo or AJo.

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To me, this play is table dependant (aggresive table I tend to pitch this believe it or not)

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As you should be if you're not sure how to play it. Except in steal situations.

I'll pitch them on wild tables.

b