One O8 hand and one question.

[Rhound50]

I played O8 live for the first time in a while and wanted to get some feedback on my play.
This was by far the weakest game I have ever played. In the 90 minutes I played there I dont think we saw a flop with less than 6 people. The game is 3/6 O8 with a kill. I am BB with . Six players limp, I complete. The flop is . It check to button who is my buddy who bets. I think about it and call knowing at least 2 of the players behind me will call. Turn is , this gives me more outs but I'm not sure if they are clean, but since two didnt flop I'm think more likely than not they are good if it hits. What do you do from here?

Question: From the button do you raise with 23[10d]?? A player who I know is a strong winning player said he will most often raise with this hand?? My thinking is why raise, you dont have a lot of scooping possibilites and somone else with A2 is going to probably call in especially in limit. Do I really want to try to thin the field here???

[starstealer]

Regarding the question, raising preflop with that hand has benefits because a) likely everyone who has already limped in will continue b) the blinds who might have gotten a free ride with a subpar hand can either fold or put up the money (so you have a better idea of where they are) c) bare A2xx hands are dogging your hand because they don't have additional redraws.

Lastly, by raising, the flop might be checked to you in last position - which enables you to control the betting a little. For instance - perhaps the flop is KQ4. Normally, you wouldn't continue with this hand because you are drawing to an inside straight and a runner runner low. However, if it is checked to you - you can check and see a free card with it (or bet here and check on the turn if it is again checked to you). In the same way, if the flop is 8K6 with a single diamond, you might have the option to see the turn for free.

This is not to say that I would raise A23T suited every day of the week from the button - but it certainly isn't a bad play. You have more options for scooping than you think.

/d

[Felonius_Monk]