I have only been at the table 5 hands and UTG has played all 5. What do you think of my play here?

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (10 handed)

Hero ($24.4)
CO ($26.85)
Button ($24.4)
SB ($8.16)
BB ($36.4)
UTG ($45.77)
UTG+1 ($21.5)
UTG+2 ($8.34)
MP1 ($48.9)
MP2 ($13.5)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , . SB posts a blind of $0.1.
UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $0.25, MP1 calls $0.25, MP2 calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1, 4 folds, UTG calls $0.75, UTG+2 calls $0.75, MP1 calls $0.75, MP2 calls $0.75.

Flop: ($5.35) , , (5 players)
UTG checks, UTG+2 calls $7.34 (All-In), MP1 folds, MP2 folds, Hero calls $7.34, UTG calls $7.34.

Turn: ($27.37) (3 players, 1 all-in)
UTG checks, Hero calls $16.06 (All-In), UTG calls $16.06.

River: ($59.49) (3 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $59.49

Results:

UTG shows AK, takes down $59.49

Boo. Your play post-flop is rather inconsequential, as the biggest mistake in the hand was made preflop. First, I dont make it a habit of raising AJs, let alone with 4 limpers - its just not that good of a hand. If you flop the Ace, people are likely to check-fold. And when you do get action with it, you are beat. Second, if you are going to raise AJs here, with 4 limpers, make it at least $2 to go. A standard 4xBB raise is not going to fold anyone. And with 5 way action, top pair isnt good enough to win most of the time.

Also, UTG+2 is a short-stack - dont raise him without a premium holding, as he is likely to go all the way with the hand - meaning that you have no bluff power. You're going to have to flop a big hand to win.

Just dont put yourself in tough scenarios like this. Just limp here and see the flop for cheap- the pot will be multiway, and hopefully you can flop a monster, perhaps a flush, and punish draws and smaller flushes / two pair. There is no reason to push a marginal hand like AJs before the flop at this level.

D

Drogga said exactly what I was going to say. Kinda scary actually

Thanks for the advice. So how do I play it when I hit the ace on the flop, do you bet it and then fold if raised?

thanks,

Brett

I think you can raise the AJ there....as long as you can get away from these types of hands it's ok..

I would have put in a bigger raise preflop. 4x the BB is just gonna make all the limpers call.

On the flop I play it the same. But you need to realize you're probably beat.

UTG check called an all-in and then an overtop call by the preflop raiser! A call like that means he has an incredible strong hand. Unless you know he's a horrible player...you are dominated everytime.

Check the turn and try to keep it really cheap.

The overcaller did not raise before the flop though, I was the only one who raised. I really thought he was on the flush draw, as he just called the whole way, which is why I wanted to pop him on the turn to make him pay a crazy price to draw for the flush, or isolate the all-in small stack.

Brett

I would have put him on a set...not AK...because he didn't raise preflop.