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When playing AA to maximize the potential return, I tend to bet a lot pre flop but that often leads to just stealing the blinds. Given this fact, should I limp and reraise if I can, given that I've been confronted with a "tight" field?

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I think this question is too general to have an answer. How you should play any hand is going to depend on a lot more factors than just what the cards are. – Jeffrey Blake♦ Jan 10 '12 at 21:10
I agree with @JeffreyBlake – Dan McClain Jan 10 '12 at 21:37
I have edited this question and nominate it for re-opening in its current form. – Tom Au Apr 22 at 21:22
@TomAu It's still way too broad! Really, almost any question that has a "How do I play X?" format, without additional info about table dynamics is likely too difficult to answer objectively. I'm going to leave it closed. I have no problem with the attempt to edit it though, that's a good thing :) – Toby Booth♦ Apr 23 at 20:49
@TobyBooth: The "thrust" (or intent) of my edit was to narrow the question to, "now that I've been confronted with a "tight" field, should I "slowplay" by limping and re-raising?" Maybe I should have made that more explicit in my edit. I also constructed an answer to the "narrow" question in the comment below, which I would like to be able to convert to a "full" answer. – Tom Au Apr 23 at 22:14
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closed as not constructive by Chris Marasti-Georg, Dan McClain, Frankston Ralphington III, Svisstack, Chad Jan 10 '12 at 21:55

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

3 Answers

up vote 5 down vote

There are so many things to consider when coming to a conclusion about how to play not just AA, but any hand. Not the least of which is:

  • Game Type & Format
  • Stack Sizes
  • Opponent Skill
  • Hero's Image
  • Opponent Tendancies
  • Metagame (ie, history)
  • Board Texture
  • Opponent's Likely Range

The list goes on and on.

However, as a general rule of thumb (to which there are many exceptions), in a No-Limit Holdem Cash Game against amatuer opponents with whom you have no significant history, I posit that:

The best way to make money with a good hand is to bet, bet, bet.

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That's true if your opponents have no history. I take the question to mean that the OP's opponents have a "tight" history, which speaks to opponents' tendencies and opponent's likely range as well. Then would you start trying to steal hands with e.g. 2-2? And this is "pre flop," so there is no "board texture." – Tom Au Apr 24 at 14:06
up vote 3 down vote

From my experience, playing AA slowplay is long term not effective in compare to play that cards aggressive.

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Please see my comment (above) to John Dibling. – Tom Au Apr 24 at 14:08
up vote 2 down vote

One general tips is to never limp! you want to raise the same amount with your whole range of hands to be as unpredictable as possible. If you limp your AA, you will just end up in weird spots all the time where you have no idea what to do and what hands your opponents have (the BB or SB getting a cheap or free flop). This will result in closing your eyes and calling it down drawing thin or dead.

Aggression is the way to go! Even if it only results in stealing the blinds! taking the blinds are better than losing your stack! ;)

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Never say never...it's rare that there is a good reason to limp AA, but it is possible. – Jeffrey Blake♦ Jan 10 '12 at 21:39
Ok, I have a good scenario actually. When you are on the money bubble in a tournament and people on your table are shoving really light, you can limp your AA in early position and hope for a shove :) Other than that I never limp. – Duffman1985 Jan 11 '12 at 8:54

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