Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

I post here because the 200nl game at this casino plays a lot like the 50nl online (and probably even worse).

Effective stacks around $500, full ring (9 players).

I'm sitting in the hijack. Two limpers, I raise to $12 with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. I'm called by a loose aggressive (but not a stupid player) in the button and by one of the blinds.

Flop: 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

Pot: ~35

I lead for $30, the button raises to $100, the other caller folds. I call.

Turn: 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

Pot: ~235

I check. Villian leads for $100.

Hero?

Villian Info:

Villian calls a lot of raises from any position, has made some light calls. Generally when he raises I've seen him show sets, two pairs, overpairs, TP (with various strength kickers), and draws. Again he is loose and aggressive but not completely stupid. He has trouble getting away from TP even with weaker kickers and will chase draws for a flop bet (and sometimes raise his draws), but generally gets away on the turn. He loves any two suited, any Ax, Kx, Qx, Jx, all 1-3 gappers suited or otherwise. He limps almost all hands except big pairs JJ+, and AK (though he tends to raise AK in position and limps AK OOP).

I've taken many pots away without showing hands, occasionally shown my bluffing hand, and the hands that have went to showdown have been winners.

I feel that given the deeper stacks, I completely butchered this hand. Would like some insights into some alternatives to playing this as well as what you might do on the turn as played.

In hindsight, I considered checking the flop for pot control given that the flop is pretty dry, and possibly just check calling to the river. His betting range when checked to just seems to be so wide, that I might actually get more value this way.

Another alternative might be a blocking bet on the turn, though I'm not entirely sure what this would accomplish. I suppose if he has a 9, he definitely raises and if he just calls I can check call a reasonable river bet.

His big raise disturbs me tho... I really feel he has a big hand on the flop. Maybe I'm a sucker and can't get away from AA, but I'm compelled to call and see what he does on the turn. I feel like if he makes it $175-$200 on the turn, it's an easy fold, if he checks, then I can check-call or a make a value bet on the river. I really didn't expect to see the $100 bet on the turn and didn't know what to make of it.

The pot is getting out of control for AA... grrrr!

Thoughts?

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

His raise isn't that big, it's less than a pot sized raise on the flop. 9's are a part of his range but so are hands like 87,76,54, and air. The turn card is a great one for him to bluff because it's pretty unlikely you raised with a 9 from UTG.

I don't play much live but I probably call this turn bet and call a reasonable bet on a blank river. If he shoves I probably puke.

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

I'd 3bet the flop. You're almost always ahead here, so why not? Make it 300.

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'd 3bet the flop. You're almost always ahead here, so why not? Make it 300.

[/ QUOTE ]

And fold to shove? Or call shove?

What range do you put the villian on? If he shoves in his last $200 after I make it $300, what do you narrow his range to?

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

If you lead the flop here (and it's a fine choice imo), then i would prefer a 3-bet after his raise. This hand makes me scared of playing with 250BBs behind lol, is everyone at the table this deep or just you two?

This hand is a really tricky one especialy with these stack sizes so i don't feel i can comment much because i'd probably butcher this type of situation aswell.

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

on the flop his range includes 1010-QQ, any 9, as well as a few hands that have you beat. 3 bet/fold flop IMO. as played, it's quite tricky but his possible 45 gets counterfeited. so yes if you must just call flop, you must blocker the turn/fold to raise. either way you're sticking a few more bucks in but his range is more defined if you seize control IMO.

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

also, try to change seats in a situation like this. sucks having this guy on your left..

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

This is a pretty sick spot it is the flop bet that make this really hard to figure maybe A9 or any overpair to the board. The problem is given the turn bet TP is obviously right on his range.

Calling is OK but what is our plan if he pushes river other than just puking as previous poster sugests.

Knowing what we know now a raise on the flop would give us the same information (as the river push) but puts the pressure on him to fold and we are a lot more confident we are ahead, but I would have probably played it the same way you did maybe c/r the flop or just lead out more on the flop.

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd 3bet the flop. You're almost always ahead here, so why not? Make it 300.

[/ QUOTE ]

And fold to shove? Or call shove?

What range do you put the villian on? If he shoves in his last $200 after I make it $300, what do you narrow his range to?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think you can fold this hand on the flop. If he pushes you have to call. In the 1/2NL game he could have all sorts of trash, but I'd put his range based on his flop raise at 44, 55, 99+, A9, AK, maybe even some weaker holdings like AQ or a smaller pocket pair (77 or 88). 67 even? You say he's a loose player, so smaller suited connectors are possible.

On the turn you're in trouble because he'll probably only call a shove here if he's got the 9. This is why you need to get your chips in when it's most likely that you're ahead. So you avoid situations like this turn.

Really though, the level of play at 1/2NL is so weak that you've gotta get your money in on this flop. It's as safe a flop as you can ask for with AA.

Re: Live $1/$2 game, tricky AA, 250BB deep...
 

Does anyone ever check the dry flop for pot control?

Also, someone mentioned re-raising the flop and folding...? How do we put in > 1/2 our stack and then fold? And actually a meaningful raise is going to be at least to $300, leaving me with $200 behind... seems awkward to put in that ratio and fold.

If I block the turn, how much am I blocking with? $150 seems to be a great bet because it makes it VERY difficult for him to raise without KK (unlikely) or a 9. The problem with that though is I have to call a river shove if I check the river.

If I block smaller, it makes it too easy for him to raise.

At the turn, I really don't think he has a set. I think once he nuts the turn he would check behind or make a smaller bet. I'm pretty much convinced he has a 9 since he's the type to play every 9 available (A9, K9, Q9, J9, T9, 98, 97, and 96s).

Ugh. I hate this hand.