Question for yall poker players

First off, I'm just an average player (very conservative play). Despite that I've done very well at Bodog's cheap $4 sit-n-go's over the years. Probably because all the good players moved up to big money years ago and I'm left playing drunken morons.
:toast:

In any case, I was wondering how many of yall usually go all-in with pocket AA pre-flop in 10-man tournament play?


With few exceptions, I usually do. I know the pros don't do it because they say it discourages action. I've seen players get pissed when it happens... 'Idiot! risking 1K+ to win $75 pot?' I hear Hellmuth recomends beginner players should always do it with big pairs, although I stick to Aces.

I guess if nobody ever called I'd probably start raising instead like I do with other big pairs, but it's amazing how often I get called (especially at the beginning of tourny's). My AA against 1 player almost always holds up. When nobody calls I win blinds and screw with their minds.

Thoughts?

not the worst idea ever, especially early when people are eager to double up or go home

ECS said:

not the worst idea ever, especially early when people are eager to double up or go home

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Sounds like you don't.?

To me it's the old "bird in hand" theory. Better to win a little, than to take risks trying win more. Sorta like slow playing top pair and taking a risk that an opponent might hit the flush or straight or whatever.

You cant let multiple players in the pot when u have only 1 pair in ANY poker game. However if going all-in u are announcing i have AA then you wont get any action....Make your standard raise and if anybody reraises then shove......If your standard raise is getting called by multiple players then yes raise more or however much it takes to narrow the field....

NOW if u watch high stakes poker you will sometimes see players playing AA just like any other pair. They will try to flop a set or make a big hand and if not they fold em....In a deep stack game your very unlikely to get called if u shove so you might as well play them slow and try to crush domebody after the flop....But you have to be pretty good to do this...

If you were playing in a big tournament (especially a live one) and open shoved with Aces pre flop when the blinds were 25-50, I would say you're crazy, because you aren't going to get any value unless someone picks up kings or maybe queens. But, you are playing in 10 man $4 sit 'n goes, so I will say that if it's not broke don't fix it. If open shoving with aces is getting you heads up action then what else could you ever ask for.

If at some point you notice that you're not getting any callers then you may want to start making it 5x the bb. Remember though, if you move up in stakes you should rarely ever if at all open shove pre flop that early with aces, because good players will not gamble all their chips with you pre flop. Also, and maybe more importantly when you make any other raise they will know you DON'T HAVE ACES. :toast:

I pretty much agree with gator, I think the trick is not falling in love with them, which most people do. I have folded AA more times then I can to remember after the flop/turn/river just depending on the situation.