Playing AQ unimproved in a big pot

[Willem]

Full Tilt Poker
Limit Holdem Ring game
Limit: $5/$10
6 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (6 players) Hero is CO with
UTG raises, UTG+1 calls, Hero 3-bets, Button caps, 2 folds, UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (17.5SB, 4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero checks, Button checks.

Turn: (8.75BB, 4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero ???

[Cript]

I think Hero has to check-fold here. Button capping and checking that flop wreaks of KK. If he's a bit different, maybe AK.

[Willem]

These games are quite aggressive, his cap doesn't necessarily mean he has QQ+ or AK.

[Skrotnisse]

Yeah, I think you could probably bet this, for value and protection. Seems like you have the nuts! (by judging from their actions) If button wakes up though, he´s been slowplaying.

[mconstab]

Was BTN a decent player? Any kind of decent player is never checking a K on this flop with the size of the pot. Maybe he got scared with JJ, TT type of hands although I'd still expect him to bet the flop.

If the pot was 3 handed I might just bet out here as the pot is big, your likely to get an honest reaction from BTN also (assuming he's somewhat competent). This still might be worth a shot with 4 players as there's no draws and I'd expect your opponents to play fit or fold to your bet. I guess the danger is that you'll be called down by someone holding a pocket pair.

The weak ass I am I'd probably check fold but it's going to be so dependent on the stats of my opponents. But then if BTN bet the turn and the other two opponents folded that would present a new dilemma HU. Odd situation though.

[Willem]

[the_hawk]

This whole example is horribly difficult.

[Cript]

Can't understand how you can't fold now...maybe why I'm not at 5/10 yet.

His flop check is way to weird to me. You said it yourself, his preflop cap doesn't necessarily mean a huge hand. I have to assume; however; that his flop check does. If this is an aggressive game, I don't get how he wouldn't hit that turn hard.

[janeg]

It's hard to reconcile his actions (PF cap, Flop check, T raise) with anything other than KK, AA, maybe 77 or 44 (although that's a stretch). The board had no draws so a strong hand wouldn't need any protection. However, if he's aggro, he may be weak, figures you don't have a King and has decided to see if he could take down the pot.

Tough spot; really depends on your read.

[Cript]

[janeg]

[Skrotnisse]

[Willem]

My initial instinct here was that his raise was just BS. People don't slowplay KK or AK like this on the flop. But in any case, villain is out of line. He either slowplayed on the flop, which is unlikely. Or he now tries to pick up the already big pot.

I am getting almost 1:12 immediate odds to call the turn raise, and 1:6.5 odds to call down. With 1:6.5, I have to be good only 13.3% of the time. I might even some outs against a hand like 99. Folding actually didn't even cross my mind, so I called down:

Full Tilt Poker
Limit Holdem Ring game
Limit: $5/$10
6 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (6 players) Hero is CO with
UTG raises, UTG+1 calls, Hero 3-bets, Button caps, 2 folds, UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (17.5SB, 4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero checks, Button checks.

Turn: (8.75BB, 4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets, Button raises, 2 folds, Hero calls.

River: (12.75BB, 2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

Results:
Final pot: 12.75BB

Button shows QTo

[janeg]

Nice call Willem His line really did look odd.