Royal Vegas 1/2 No Limit Holdem $200 max buy-in

Opponent- $300
Me - $200
no read on opponent. just sat down.

Opponent raises min. from UTG. ton of limpers. I call with [Qh] on the button.

FLOP pot $24
[7c][Qd]

I paired my Queen. sb bets $2. She only has $30 stack and bets out $2 with medicore crap all the time. She doesn't concern me. UTG (who raised initally) makes it $10 to go. Folded to me I reraise it to $30. $30 stacks calls instantly and UTG calls.

TURN pot $114
[7c][Qd][3s]

SB is already all-in and is no longer a factor. UTG checks to me. I decide to make another stab and see what happens. I'm really hoping for a fold here. I bet $60 in the $114 pot.
UTG check raises me the min to $120. I fold pretty easily. The only thing I'm beating is QK and that is doubtful. Otherwise I'm looking at a split or KK or AA.

Anyway..the river was a blank. UTG shows [Ks] and the sb shows [Kd]. I made the correct fold. UTG takes a hefty pot and about $90 from me alone.

I like the fact I got away from this hand but I still believe I played it wrong. I don't mind the call with AQ on the button. The min. raises on Royal Vegas are usually small pocket pairs. I don't know why they do it but they do.

Anyway, I think the best course of action here is to check/fold the turn. The sb could very well have had trip 7s anyway, in which case me and the UTG opponnet are playing for a small side pot. I'm not beating very many hands here the UTG will have anyway.

I should have raised it to at least $40 on the flop to win the hand there. That way I know if I get called I'm losing and can easily throw away the hand. I didn't do that and put myself in a bad spot for the turn. I still should have checked and thrown it away though.

Thoughts?

I like your option mad and it will def. be something i consider in the future. I guess I just didn't want to raise the limp-friendly atmosphere I just really hate AQ though. But you're right. I have position in the hand as well as my good judgement (well good most of the time!) so a reraise is a good idea.

Another oldie but goody... I almost always use MG's advice in this spot now. I like to make a big reraise preflop, makes me look strong and defines my opponents' hands. AQ is a tricky hand, but you should defiently be reraising mini preflop raises with it.

How far we have come

Glad you brought this back up. AQ is a killer for so many people. Thanks.

Kenny,

I've been telling you to reraise that weak crap for a year now. Why is it such a bad idea when I say it and it's a great idea coming from someone else? You peckerhead.

Your superior poker playing brother,
Chris