Slow Playing Aces

[druu1]

Hey

I've only been playing (both home games and online) for about 6 months now and if nothing else, I enjoy holdem a lot. I have question regarding how to play Aces. A few months ago I was at a home game when I found myself dealt AA. I didn't rasie (why I don't know) just called (or checked my BB...can't remember which). Once the flop came down it was A x x..I was sitting on trip Aces. The guy next to me bet (everyone else folded) so I figured he had the other Ace....so heres my problem. In this situation I have a real hard time going strong here....in this situation I knew I had the best hand and I thought (correctly) that the other guy had the last Ace...but my mind set was if I raised him he would figure me for the AA and just fold. I simply called him. The turn came up junk and he checked...I checked to. Again...I wanted him to think I had nothing..or at least another A with a kicker that wasn't too great. The river came up and it was no good to anyone and he checked. This time I had to bet....and after some thought for awhile and finally called. I won the pot (he had the Ace...and I think a 10). Everyone was very amazed that I was slow playing the way I was...but after talking to the guy he told me that if I had rasied off the flop he would have folded figuring me for the two AA. This put a little extra in pot...not much more...but more then what would have been there if I raised his bet on the flop.

Has anyone been in a similar situation. I know I should have played more aggresive but I also didn't want the only other person in the game to fold. Any advise in case I come across this again?

Thanks

[K-rug]

That's when you have to take into account your chip size and his and the type of player he is.

1)From what you said, if you really wanted to slow roll him you could have doubled his raise after the flop or doubled the big blind (which ever you were). If he's been playing as long as you have with your home group he more than likely would have called either bet. Too strong of a bet like five times the raise or BB and he probably would have been scared off by the amount of money not the fact he had AT.

2)On the turn since he checked first he was probably looking for you to bet so he could re-raise you. This is where you bet the minimum and see what he does if you want to slow play him further. Let him bet/raise into you and call him. The call will probably make him think you have a lower pair or are chasing something.

3)You don't say what you bet on the river but whatever it was it was good enough to give him pause to think then call. So a little more would maybe have scared him off and to less would have been worthless. Good read on your part. That or he was acting and was sold on the fact his AA was going to win.

4)Trip A's is hard to resist a slow play. If there are no pairs on the board there is less of a chance for a full house for him since I don't think you said there were pais on the board. If it's a rainbow that pretty much eliminates his chance of a flush draw and the described betting above would hopefully make him fold his draw. So the only thing you need to watch out for is a possible straight draw.

In most cases I would say be careful of slow playing as it will bit you in the ass. But the situation you briefly described sounds like the perfect opportunity to do so. Good read and good river bet. Just change up the middle of your action a bit.

[vegasholdem]

8)
Very good advice!