Playing AJs

[alexdered]

I played it twice the same way and twice I lost... I was in early position and just called... the pot was raised I called... I hit TPTK someome bets I raise... then I check call till the end... 1st time I was up against KK second time i was against flopped two pair J9... Is this bad luck or bad play?

[Jurrr]

Please post HHs.

[rjohson]

u should have raised ajs in any position kk wasnt going anywhere, and raised on flop, second hand u should of raised preflop and raiswe i dont think either of the hands would have gone anywhere but you should of raised with this in a low limited game. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[UATrewqaz]

Limit or NL?

Full ring or 6 max?

[alexdered]

sorry for the delay... what is HHs?

the game was a full ring fixed limit... 0.25-0.50$... I really feel unconfident with AJs unless I have a flush draw and the pot is raised... especially when out of position...because with TPTK I feel I have to protect my hand but as is often the case I do not have the best hand

[UATrewqaz]

HH = hand history

AJs is definitely strong enough to play in the game you described (.25/.50 full ring).

You should be raising with it when first in the pot, even in early position. (AJo is probably a fold in EP btw)

Players at these stakes are typically very loose and will call the raise with trash hands, which is exactly what you want. You're building a big pot in which you most likely have an equity edge.

If the game is exceptionally tight (which would be odd for a .25/.50 game) then you'd might want to wait till MP and just fold it in EP.

If you flop a top pair type hand stay aggressive. It's best to be aggressive. You'll haul in much bigger pots when your hand holds up. Free cards are a big no no. Being aggressive costs you extra bets here and there when you lose, being passive costs you whole pots frequently.

If you encounter resistance you very well might have to go into check/call mode. The pot is frequently too big to fold by time you realize you are probably behind.

If the board is extremely dangerous and there are still lots of people in the hand you can safely fold, especially if you ever have to call more than 1 bet at a time.

AJs can be a hand easily dominated against tougher opponents (you'll find yourself paying off AQ and AK) but you should be noting who the tight players are vs. loose players.

If a tight player cold calls or reraises you and you got AJs, and the flop comes Axx or Jxx and he continues to hammer, the odds of him having you beat are very good.