In order to stimulate a little conversation in this section I'm going to start posting a hand that I feel I've misplayed from each session, and let everyone comment on how it could have been played differently.

Today it is AQs -- this is the third time I've picked up AQ in the last two orbits at this table, so I decided to play it slightly different this time and limp. Opponent in this hand is 39/9/1.3 VPIP/PFR/PFA.

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with , .
2 folds, Hero calls, 4 folds, Button raises, 2 folds, Hero calls.

Flop: (5.50 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

Turn: (2.75 BB) (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero raises, Button 3-bets, Hero calls.

River: (8.75 BB) (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

Final Pot: 8.75 BB

Norton,

I think the flop check is fine, aiming for a check-raise, as the preflop raiser can generally be relied upon to bet the flop for you...I'm guessing maybe he had 99 and sucked out, and you think you should've bet so as not to give him the free shot?

After he checks, I think you can probably put him either on an underpair (88, 99, TT, QQ) or a monster (two pair or a set). I think you need to lead out on the turn, and if you get raised, it's fold time. I just don't see him checking the flop and then raising a turn bet with very many hands you beat, and I don't think your outs are very clean either (aside from the gutshot).

EDIT : All that being said...I'd have probably bet the turn, called his raise and check/called the river. Heh heh. But I still think folding to a raise would be the right move.

-TW

I will put the guy on a set of 9's. There is no reason for him to check the flop in my opinion if he has some of that board because there are too many draws to let you have a free card. I think you should have raised that hand preflop and if you got it again 10 times in a row raise it every time. With that hand you want to find out real fast where you are standing or just get the blinds.

I think I would also have bet out on the flop and see what kind of action I get from him. Unless he has you beat I think he will be hard pressed to continue after you calling his raise and leading right in to him. If he just calls lead again on the turn and if you get raised then you can safely muck your hand and if not you can be pretty assured you have the best hand. I would just rather put the pressure on him to tell me whether or not I am beat than playing the calling game and wondering where I stand.

When he three bets you on the turn I think it is just better to muck your hand because you are down to three outs in all likelihood and even if you hit it you will likely not get paid off on it.