Set or Top Pair?

StringerB · #1 03-13-2007, 03:06 PM

I have a general question - not sure if this is the right spot for it but...

Played a hand where 1st position opened for 8xBB. I reraised all-in with AA. He had KK. He hit a set and won the hand. That got me thinking about playing the hand differently. What if I had just called his raise and played the hand out?

Example - Playing .10/.25 Blinds. Villian has $25 stack. I have $25.

Villian opens for $2. Assuming I just call and the blinds fold, now I'm heads up. Pot is ~ $4.25.

Flop of K-9-4 Rainbow. He checks, I bet $3, he goes all in.

Do you call? Do you put him on AK? KQ? Or did he make a set? Only been playing at the table for a short time - have no read on villian. How would you decide between a set and top pair?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

KJatl · #2 03-13-2007, 03:22 PM

I'd always prefer to get it all-in preflop with Aces. Second guessing getting it all-in with aces is being way too results oriented. If you got the guy to call you preflop, you made the right play.

knifeparty · #3 03-13-2007, 03:28 PM

In the long run it's always best to get your money in the middle with the best hand. If you get drawn out on, you can't do much about it. You'll win in such situations more often than not.

StringerB · #4 03-13-2007, 03:31 PM

I wasn't second guessing the hand much. I was happy to get all his money in preflop. I've been taking a lot of 2 outers lately so it's got me thinking about how this could be avoided... I guess it really shouldn't be though, like you said, I want the money in preflop when I'm way ahead.

Thanks

Ikaika · #5 03-13-2007, 04:04 PM

remember the fundamental theorem of poker: when you play your hand the way you would if you could see your opponent's cards, you profit. Even if you knew he had KK, you'd still be a favorite to win so getting your money in the middle is the correct play.

Phytopath · #6 03-13-2007, 04:55 PM

Seriously, why are you thinking about this. If you can get AI PF with AA, do it every, every, every single time you can.

The reasons for calling with AA PF, is for deception and to trap an aggro player. But in all seriousness if you just flat call, you are getting stacked or should be getting stacked on almost all Kxx boards when your opponent has KK.