Ace Starting Hand

[Kiko]

Very stupid question in a way and shows how much of a beginner i am myself but im interested to hear some people's views.

Basically what i want to know is how you guys would played A9 down to A2?

I find myself folding more and more when i get these cards and i think it could possibly be a bad move by myself hence why i'd like to hear people's thoughts.

Think i worry too much about getting too involved in a pot if an ace shows up in the flop and then i worry about having a low/lowish kicker.

Your thoughts will be appreciated, thanks

[mrmuzeman]

I find myself folding more and more when i get these cards and i think it could possibly be a bad move by myself hence why i'd like to hear people's thoughts.

No mate you are SPOT ON. Its a CLASSIC begginner mistake to play A-Rag and it aint pretty.

You will ONLY get a good pot going when you are beaten by a better Ace almost always. You never know where you stand really when an ace comes on the flop, well sometimes you do - youre beaten! When an ace comes on the flop and no one else has one, theyll fold and youll win a teeny pot. When an ace comes on the flop and you bet and get action, BIG chance youre in trouble.

If the Ace-Rag is suited and your in mid-late position (near the button) AND the pot hasnt been raised then you can give it a call, see what comes as you can make a nut hand with it. But otherwise MUCK that Ace-Rag in the poker dirt.

[mrmuzeman]

Calling a raise with an Ace-Rag is one of the worst things you can do, think about what hands people raise with how can you be in good shape?

Of course the higher the kicker the better and id say A8 and A9 are better than below this as you could conceivably beat someone playing a worse ace. Thing is though theyre still pretty crap!

Im known for HATING AJ and its cos it looks pretty good but then often when you get action its AK and AQ, it aint a great hand, ESPESH in a raised pot. I even have nightmares with AQ sometimes thinking about the AKs out there

I know your a tourny man though Kiko and there can be times when your weak ace can be a decent hand, though never great. If your short stacked and you pick up A8 for example. Everyone folds to you on the button, you cant be faulted for pushing all in because A8 should be better than 2 random hands.

[Run Dmc Vs Pat Nevin]

Totally agree. It was one of the biggest mistakes I used to make when I first started, playing any ace. On a ten seater table I'll happily chuck away anything up to and including AJ without a second thought. I'm even a bit reluctant to play AQ.

[mrmuzeman]

Good man Run DMC Muck that AQ Thing is im not even joking if the pots raised a fair amount!

[Jezza]

Some good replies here and I dont have much more to add - in general at a full man cash table Arag will just get you into trouble and it will lose you money in the long run to play it. Unless you are very sure of yourself kiko just stay away from these sort of trap hands mate.


Oh yeah and AQ is one ugly hand to play to a raise I think as well talk about overrated - I would rather play 63 to a raise than sodding AQ

Jez