A2xxx preflop
Play in a 1/2 and 5/5 game with a group of mostly loose agressive players, just a couple tighter players. Usually 6 to 9 players. Flops are generally multi-way with a single preflop raiser pretty often. Post flop action is pretty lively. I play very tight and have been doing pretty good. Looking to loosen up my preflop range a bit
My question is the playability of A2xxx in this type of game, specifically hands where all you really have is the A2, with not much else to go with it. I often hear A2 is a very playable hand, but I don't really like paying a raise to see a flop with really only a very quarterable low hand. Is this being too tight? Some more details on how I have been approaching this type of hand preflop:
A2xxx with nothing else going for it, not even suited A : only play in good position if I can get in cheap, fold oop or if there is a preflop raise.
A2xxx, suited A but nothing else. Limp in any position, call any basic preflop raise, if preflop gets a little crazy only call in good position. Possibly raise preflop if limped to me.
A2wxx : pretty much the same as above, try to see a flop unless I'm oop and preflop action is too crazy
A2wxx with suited A: will get in and see the flop for almost any action except serious action from tighter players. This is where I generally start consistently raising in position, maybe reraise some of the looser players.
3 Replies
It sounds like you are playing fit-or-fold OOP, which makes many A2XXX-hand tricky to play.
One way to loosen up your preflop range and make it easier to play OOP is to start 3betting more OOP (from the blinds) with your stronger A2XXX holdings that play better HU than multiway.
It's ok to limp some A2xx, mostly the weaker ones, but most suited A2xxx are an open from any position, especially in a passive game.
Overall, think you might want to use a slightly more complex evaluation process - sidecards matter and you may also be overvaluing the presence of an additional wheel card. High strength always matters and having a third wheel card often reduces your high-side equity.
According to you you currently have pretty good results. Given the description of your style you are currently exploiting the fact the other players play foolish hands and do not realize/adjust to the fact you don't. Continue your style until they adjust and stop giving you action. Do not play foolish hands and A2xxx with bad xs is a foolish hand. Now A2xxx with good xs is a good hand; you know the difference; continue to play good hands.
