Preflop Quickie

Effective stacks?

My default is to fold AJo in EP but I'm a nit.

FWIW, if you hate all your options there really is no harm on simply passing and waiting for a spot you do like. Also, the more expert you are the more you can get in there and mix it up, whereas the less expert you are folding should be your default option.

GcluelessNLnoobG

Happy to fold here. AQo would be a decision.

Without the strdl it's a raise, bottom of range. Here the blinds just called so probably you are ahead of them. Raise. Call is worst

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I make it 36-42 depending on stack depths. If neither of them are too short or too deep but both in the $500-$800 depth range you're likely going 3 ways in position or even heads up to the flop at a nice stack depth with a fairly strong hand.

As always, it depends. Stacks? Do SB and BB expect BTN to raise? Do you? What's your image -- loose/passive, also? What are they limping vs. raising?

If I thought I had any fold equity or would get heads up, I'd raise; if not, just fold or maybe call if I am better post-flop vs. these guys, which is not great, but we have position on SB and BB and BTN should be pretty wide.

Happily snap folding this. With a button straddle and a limper the conditions are already far from ideal. At a regular table without a limp up front AJo would be borderline in EP and could still be a fold unless the table dynamics are right. Here it's just a basic fold.

if you think you have an edge on the table you raise to 24-32. if not you fold.

you dont have to raise as large w/ the straddle unless everyone has 100BB at the 1/3/6 level (which the straddle effectively creates)

1) AJo vs sub 100BB stacks is a solid hand
2) youre going to be playing a rather straightfwd post flop game. I'd be inclined to ch/raise boards you connect strong with and ch/raise low unconnected boards or things like 339 to just take down pot

GTO would tell you at a 9-handed table 100BB deep without the straddle that you could open-bet AJo most of the time at UTG +2, seldom at UTG +1 and never when UTG. Although a straddle hurts the SB and the BB, it is a benefit to everyone else. It effectively makes it so that you don't need to worry about them being behind you during the pre-flop betting. The question is, would a straddle potentially make this is a profitable play? Probably not since so many others are left to act after you for the remainder of the betting rounds. My suggestion would just be to fold it. I know AJo looks pretty with all of that paint, but position is huge in this game and AQo, AKo and every made hand like pocket 2's, 3's, 4's, etc. is ahead of you unless you hit .