Another Ace-Rag poser

Hey guys, this is my first post and would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Ive been prompted to submit this post after reading the “Would you consider A9 “Ace-Rag”? post

For the purpose of this post ill consider Ace-Rag anything less than A7o

A lot of people wouldn’t play it at all, the ones that would play it tend to play it from late position and would happily fold it should the action get too hot.

Personally I have found playing Ace-Rag from early position quite profitable. My thinking behind this is that if I lead out the betting after the flop with an Ace on the board then players in later positions who are also holding Ace-Rag will fold – I found myself in late positions a lot and folding Ace-Rag only to notice that id have won the hand as the early position raiser had a lower kicker.
Also, people not holding Ace’s will tend to fold. Sure if I get re-raised then ill drop them but the amount of cash im winning by doing this outweighs the cash I lose when I get re-raised and fold.

I have been playing steadily for approx 2 years and regularly cash out of my account so while I know ive got plenty to learn I wouldn’t think of myself as a novice.

Im aware of the importance of position in Hold Em and how this goes against what is written about playing position.

If it makes any difference I usually play NL 0.5 / 0.10 tables.

Is there something flawed in my thinking here? Like I say it works for me but im thinking of moving up to higher stakes tables and wondered what people thought.

Alfoldem said:

If it makes any difference I usually play NL 0.5 / 0.10 tables.

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Yes it does. Are you playing full ring or 6 handed tables, this also makes a difference.

Normally play 6 seater

Most of the literature that you read is based on a full ring table ie 9-10 players. As the amount of players decrease the traditional hand values increase in value. If there is 6 players rather that nine, if you hold an ace the chances that another player also holds one are signifitantly reduced.

Here controlled aggression is the key, and realsing when you beat, is also important. So raising A8o in EP on a 6 max table is prob correct (dependant on how the players behind you are playing) where as raising A8o UTG on a full table is sucide.

Sure A-9 is good at the current level as most players at that level think A-rag is something worth holding but as you move up levels your notion that A-9 is a good hand will get you in trouble, so save your A-9 strategy for the micro-limits and discard it as you move up to a higher levels.

The flaw in your thinking is that in order for this strategy to work, your opponent has to fold. So you could do it with any two cards. Your kicker becomes irrelevant. A lot of people (most?) won't fold when you bet the Ace, because that's why they have called with their Ace in the first place. It also makes a difference if you've brought it in for a raise or just limped.

If people are raising with A-rag in early position then GL to them - it sounds like they don't know how to play. The question is, what are you doing calling a raise with A-rag? Throw any Ace less than AQ away at a full table. Maybe go down to AT 6-handed.

The problem with raising A-rag in an early position is anyone who calls behind you probably already has you beat. Also, if you are re-raised, you can be sure you are sunk. Not to say I don't raise this hand from the EP from time to time, but I do not take the risk unless I have a good read on the table and I have set a tight image at the table.