Small Aces

[Markpl1]

Starting to have a bit of success with the game now, turning a nice profit especially in SnG's. My question is how long do you hold on to an ace with a kicker lower than 10. My current strategy is to only a call small raise pre-flop or fold. The real problem I have is when I actually hit the ace. What do I do? A raise to see if I have position but then how do I react to just a call, I realise a re-raise could spell real trouble and would probably pass to a good opponent. I find myself in this position a lot it seems and I really don't know where I stand in the pot. Should I be chcking my ace on the flop to see if anyone else bets it?

[aliensyndm]

Re: Small Aces My answer would be you dont even stay in long enough to see the flop. Rag aces are gonna cos nothing but trouble. I'll call raises with suited aces looking to make the nut flush. But I'll never call raises with rag aces off-suit. Either you are up against a better ace, AQ , AK etc. Hence if you hit the ace and start calling bets you lose cash. Hit the lower kicker and you could still be losing to their higher kicker also hitting. If they miss both their cards you arent gonna get much action. If yer up against a half decent pocket pair, you've only got 1 over card, which if you hit the ace, you're unlikely to get much action unless it's from a very bad player. Basically a rag ace will win you a small pot (if you are actually ahead after the flop) or lose you a big one. Of course this is strategy for cash and for the early stages of tournies, ie stay tight. Come the end stages of tournies any ace is a raising hand. But when you have the choice...I would get rid of 'em. I don't even limp on the button with rag aces as it's only gonna get me into trouble. Much rather be playing 78 or something than a rag ace. My tuppence worth.