Play a Hand with Me - AQ in a 3bet Pot

$0.50/$1  No Limit Holdem

UTG  (Hero) $100
CO  $100
BTN  $325
SB  $126
BB  $100

Pre-Flop: ($1.50, 5 players) Hero is UTG with

Hero raises to $3, 1 fold, BTN raises to $10.50, 2 folds, Hero calls $7.50

Flop: ($22.50, 2 players)

Hero checks, BTN bets $16, Hero calls $16

Turn: ($54.50, 2 players)

Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($54.50, 2 players)

Hero checks, BTN bets $297.15, Hero?

This is a hand was played by one of my proteges. I will be commenting on the play of the hand.

First let’s talk about the preflop play:

Do you like more a 4bet/call than just a call?

I think the call of the 3bet is a much better play with AQ. With a 4bet you just fold out the majority of the worse hands, against which you can realize value postflop. In general it is a better play to call 3bets with AQ, AJ type of hands, than to 4bet/call with them. Simply put you can get more value from these hands by a call.

Now let’s see the postflop play:

On this drawy flop I really prefer a c/r play. If you choose a smaller c/r size, villain will push you all in sometimes even with an AK, AJ. Eventually he will not fold a KQ either. I think the c/r is better than c/c, since you are out of position, and you risk two free cards if your opponent will check back the turn.

On the river a really bad card, the king came to the board. This is the worst card in the deck, since that card really hits villain’s range. As played, I think a river c/f is ok here.