This last week I got my first taste of a real casino at the turning stone in NY. I only played for 2:30 but ran into an interesting situation TWICE.

The table was fairly tight but understandable considering the average preflop raise was 10 or 12 dollars at a 1/2 NL max 200 table. After about an hour and a half, not really playing too much--not seeing any hands but up about 40 dollars from my 180 buyin(only cash I had and didnt feel it was worth going to the atm). I get dealt aces on the button with nobody to call yet. I decide to just limp. Flop is rainbow and nothing close to a str8 possibility so its checked to me and I follow suite. The turn puts the last suite on the board and the sb bets 10 dollars and I flat call. River is another rag and no str8 possibility out there. SB checks and I bet 15, he folds.

Next hand I'm dealt kings without any limpers. I felt I couldn't limp with kings and raise to 10. Button and blinds fold.

I think I got pretty lucky on the first hand considering the board but playing with the sb for the time I did I don't think he had anything at all. Just wondering what you all do in similar situations.

Very much depends on how the blinds are playing and any previous steals etc that we have already tussled over.

If they are calling stations then a 3xbb raise will get a call. But if it's a rock it might be a limp or a 2xbb raise (and if it's a limp with AA, I'm pushing most flops that aren't co-ordinated).

The other situation is when I am either short or big stack. It's much easier to fake a steal and induce the reraise or call if you are seen to be playing your stack rather than the cards.

Always asking for trouble to limp big hands though and I'll let it go if my spidey-sense tells me it's trouble

Make a bigger than normal raise, hope they interpret it as a steal. If these guys are to dumb to call bluff raises, then make a smaller than normal raise and entice them to come in with a big underdog.

Calling has its merits too if they actually have a good like KJ and flop a K, you will make some money off that. But if they flop something good like 2 pair or trips, do you have the discipline to fold? Can you read them?


In your specific case, I just suggest raising.