Quote:
Originally Posted by surviva316
You can't really slowplay a hand that can't withstand raises. If you check the flop, you really can't rely on getting 3 bets of value comfortably. Save "letting him catch up" for spots where that's your only chance of getting multiple streets of value.
If you bet the flop, you really can't rely on getting 3 bets of value comfortably, either. (This depends a lot on your opponent, of course.)
AA is practically the same as 97 here because villain has few hands that beat AA but not 97. Hands behind either of those have about the same number of outs, so giving a free card doesn't hurt. I think you might be less skeptical of the idea that it's okay to check 97, but I think checking 97 and checking AA should be equally acceptable.
If you think AA can't withstand a raise, then that is a further argument for checking, if you fear getting bluff-raised.