So I'm trying a bit of PLO8 on UB in th $50 game, since the PLO high game is not too juicy.

I get [Ks][8c][5c] on the button, and call a small raise. 3 see a flop of

Flop: (3 players, $5): [4s][8s].
EP raisor bets $3, MP calls, I call. (Mistake? I really have no idea in this game...)

Turn: (3 players, $14): . EP bets pot, MP pushes for $15 more, I fold?? I know I may have some chances for high, but I was very unsure of where I was in the hand, and EP had quite a bit of money behind...

Outcome: river was a 6, EP shows [Ac][Qs][5s], MP shows 2345.

Can anyone explain what the correct reasoning throughout the hand is? Is this standard play for AA? Is MP just guessing that his low is good or that I will fold for fear of getting quartered?

Preflop, your hand is pretty mediocre so even though you have position I think you should fold to the raise. A hand is only good if you know how to cope with it postflop, and your play suggests you should probably lay off the marginal stuff (decent A4, A5 hands, things like that) and stick to the basics - strong A2, A3 AA hands and clear-cut high-only holdings, and leave everything else out until you have a bit more experience.

On the flop I think calling is correct. Plenty of high equity and a 3 will obviously make you low; I would expect A3 is more than likely here but for only $3 it's sensible to see what develops.

Turn play is pretty dependent on the opponents, but in all honesty they've done nothing so far to suggest that you aren't good for at least a split for high, and your low might just be good (or at least good enough in a side pot). EP seems quite likely to be pushing somehing ike an overpair with A3 or A5, MP, well, who knows. Your hand looks quite "2nd best" both ways, which can often be a portent of doom in a 3 way pot, so I don't think that folding can be too terrible here against decent opponents, unless of course MP is a total gimp. Which, it turns out, he was.

Now you know the MP player is a moron, if you get in this situation again, it becomes much more obvious you should raise. Against more able opposition, it's a tighter decision.

With nut flush draw and 2nd nut low I raise that flop. You won't get an A3 to fold but you'll be able to get a free card most of the if the turn misses.

bbkin, these comments are based on this any your other post in the Project 1000 journal.

you seem to be interested in pushing marginal edges on the flop. sometimes this is a good thing. often times, though, all you do is pot commit yourself with money still behind when the turn card will often change your EV drastically.

phil pretty much said it all, imo, so i won't rehash it. his post is gold. now if he just played like that all the time....