Playing a $2/$5 blind NL game yesterday with no maximum buy-in. There is a $200 minimum however. Most of the players had small stacks but there were two with significant stacks - one player had about $5000 and the other $1800. I bought in for $6000 to cover the table. The game was pretty mild - some players were simply playing scared - and the big stacks were playing cautious. The pots were too small for my liking and I decided to straddle a couple of times to see if I couldn't get some people into a gambling mood. It's not something I usually do - but I think that selective use of a straddle can be useful sometimes - often you can get the whole table gambling and straddling and then you can simply forget to straddle yourself.

Anyway... it was the second time I straddled in the game and it was folded around to the button who was the other big stack ($5K) who raised to $35. Folded around to me and I saw the AsQs and called. The flop came QhJh8s. What do you do?

I want to be involved in a big pot with this guy - but I'm not thrilled about my holding with such a dangerous board, not to mention my position.

I checked the flop and he bets $50. I raise to $125 and he calls. How do you play the flop?

I'll give the conclusion of the hand a bit later...

TUP

Dangerous hand against a big stack of course. I like your flop play.
The pot is about $325 now. I think I lead out for about $200. If he raises Im done.

I'm wondering why you only made it $125 to go after your opponent bet $50 into a pot of about $77 (your $35 call + his $35 bet + $7 in blinds). He bet 2/3 the pot, and your raise is only $75 over his $50 bet. So now it is $75 to him with a pot of a little over $250--he is for sure calling here 'cause he's getting a little better than 3-1 on his money. Why did you make such a small raise with such a coordinated board? I personally would have lead into him on the flop and seen what he did, but if you go the check-raise route then I would have check raised more, make it $150-$200 to go.

Tough Hand. I normally don't like playing AsQs to a raise but since you decided to, I think you have to lead out on the flop here. I don't like the checkraise because it doesn't define his hand as well, whereas he has a better idea of what you have. If you bet, he will fold, call, or raise. Each of these actions will help narrow his holdings - I don't think he'd raise a pot-sized bet by a good player with a big stack with nothing here. At the very least he would need an overpair to raise, at which point you can feel better about folding. If he has AK, he probably smooth calls or folds, same with hearts or a 99/TT. If the turn is not a scary card you can probably lead out again and fold to a raise.

The stack size is the most significant determinant here for me. I do not like the check and small raise out of position. He may already have you. If he decides to buy this or if he has you, the hand and position don't make you strong ever. He might make these plays on a straight draw or a made straight. I would call his bets but keep this pot small and within reason. You don't want any part of him here. What card can really help you? An Ace is scary. I would have the brakes on. Johnny Hughes