Posted Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:08 pm GMT by krakajak
I have problems with AJ. I think I understand the basics of it. I don't call raises with it, unless I know the raiser to be very loose, but I'm often unsure whether to limp in or raise pre-flop with it.
Short-handed, I always raise. I raise from mid or late position if I'm 1st in or with just 1 limper. I'll raise 1st in from early position if the table respects raises. Where I have problems is from early position at a table that doesn't respect raises, or from late position with a few limpers. Any advice?
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Posted Tue Nov 02, 2004 6:05 pm GMT by TheDudeChad
I like limping with AJ in early position. If there are no raises and you hit an ace on the flop, its likely you've got the best hand and you stand to make some money from someone who doesnt believe you limped with that good of a hand. You might see some callers on the button with A5 or A6s, which is exactly what you want. In later positions, I'll put a raise in if I'm first into the pot, otherwise I'll probably flat call. I'm won't calling big bets/allins tho, as the likely all in hands dominate you.
Also, if you flat call a preflop raise and you hit an ace on the flop, be prepared to dump it if theres some action on the flop. I always tell myself to do this, but never can anyway 
If you hit a jack for top pair, you've likely got the best hand also.
Overall, AJ seems to be more profitable for me than, say, AQ, as limping with it disguises the strength. (Be wary of the random two pairs from the BB, though)
Posted Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:44 pm GMT by tony513
I recomend limping in from an early position with AJ and see if anyone else raises. If they do they could have AK or AQ or a pocket pair. If you raise and either AK or AQ just calls you may find yourself in trouble when that ace comes on the flop. You'll probably bet right into Big Slick or even AQ. AJ is overated in my opinion and is ussually a limp in hand. Once the game is shart handed AJ gains some strength and becomes a raise hand from late position but I might still limp from an early position and call someone elses raise depending on the size.
Posted Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:56 pm GMT by Always_Bored
With Ace jack you are looking to hit the jack not the ace. You want top pair, top kicker. Not top pair, medium kicker.
Posted Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:21 pm GMT by Sean_in_NJ
| krakajak wrote: | | I'll raise 1st in from early position if the table respects raises. |
I don't see how that's a good idea, except for the occasional UTG steal. Fact is, you'll still be disguising AQ and maybe AK behind you when they flat call instead of reraising. On a tight table, unless it's very weak, I'm limping from EP and hoping for a favorable flop.
Posted Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:19 pm GMT by Idaho
Ace Jack is a hand to get very aggressive with short handed - other than that it's like most other hands - you want two pair or a straight to hit to bet with any confidence.
Posted Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:09 pm GMT by suitedaces84
| Idaho wrote: | | Ace Jack is a hand to get very aggressive with short handed - other than that it's like most other hands - you want two pair or a straight to hit to bet with any confidence. |
You must find yourself betting without confidence a lot. 
Posted Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:25 am GMT by snoogins47
This is horribly dependent on whether you're talking FL or NL, and the other players/how the table has been going.
It's these marginal hands that make for interesting discussion. I guess I won't write up specific opinions until I have an idea if you're talking fixed or NL, so as to spare the forum from as much of my rambling as possible.
Posted Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:18 am GMT by Idaho
| suitedaces84 wrote: | | Idaho wrote: | | Ace Jack is a hand to get very aggressive with short handed - other than that it's like most other hands - you want two pair or a straight to hit to bet with any confidence. |
You must find yourself betting without confidence a lot. |
I generally bet without regard to pretty anything
Posted Sun Mar 20, 2005 6:21 pm GMT by Jauron
You can call raises with it in position, at least in NL if you aren't married to the Ace.
I think this comes down to being comfortable playing flops in raised pots. If you aren't comfortable with it, then yeah you should fold it, but honestly you are afraid of flops in raised pots, you are laying down a lot of hands.
Posted Mon Mar 21, 2005 6:07 am GMT by Idaho
Played this aggressively on a loose 6 handed table last night. 4 callers including me. Flop came A 10 8 rainbow. I bet out and am called by one. Turn Q - check check. River J. F*ck it - he's probably got the K. I bet - am called... he mucks...!
Posted Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:43 pm GMT by gol4pro
AJ = KQ. I swear, they're the same hand. Any way you look at it, they're the same hand.
I hate limping from it in early... I'm throwing away 1BB. If someone raises, I can't call, because if a A flops I'm worried about AK/AQ, and if a J flops, I'm worried about AA/KK/QQ/JJ.
If you can be the aggressor and get position, sure it's a great hand! But out of position, it's nasty stuff.
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