Unknown villain... What to do?


$0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): $10.00
CO: $10.00
BTN: $7.82
SB: $11.65

SB posts SB $0.05, Hero posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has A A

CO raises to $0.30, fold, fold, Hero raises to $1.20, CO calls $0.90

Flop: ($2.45, 2 players) 9 K 6
Hero bets $1.55, CO raises to $4.60, Hero ??

You have to shove here without reads imo. So did he have 99 or 66?

Can't do anything else than shove here four handed, if he hit a set you get stacked

raise him again

ship it

My initial thoughts are: Villain's pre-flop range is pretty wide. He's raising a lot of hands from that position when it's folded to him, so one thig I would do (baring in mind that I'm quite aggressive) is 3-bet pre to narrow down villain's range, but a flat call is certainly a good option too and disguises your hand. However, once you have taken the line of disguising your hand, you have to consider villain's post-flop 3-bet range to be wider than normal as well. One thing I find strange is, you seemingly flat his pre flop bet, but decide to lead out on the flop. So I dunno if you've considered an end game here. I would either 3-bet pre and lead out on the flop, showing a lot of strength, or I flat pre and check/call the flop, disguising the strength of my hand. You went for disguising your hand pre and then sorta re-defining your range by leading out post. It doesn't make a lot of sense In my opinion.

Another thing is, this is actually not a terrible flop for you. No draws, and one paint. You are ahead of all his one pair combos right now and because of your flat pre he could be comfortably re-raising with Top pair and a good kicker. My problem is, if you're uncomfortable being raised in this spot why did you bet out instead of check/call?

A lot of people have brought up the possibility of sets, but if Villain is competent he wouldn't raise a set on this dry a flop. There are no draws to worry about and you are betting, so if he has a set he is calling most of the time to keep your bluffs alive and let you potentially hang yourself, why reraise a set with two streets on the way?

So you are ahead of all his pairs, and have decent equity against his two pairs as well. This is where a pre-flop 3 bet can be a life saver. Let's assume that you 3-bet the flop and got called, so now, your villain's range having hit this board includes a lot more sets and basically zero two pair combos ie he would call your 3-bet with 66 and 99, possibly even 4-bet with KK or maybe flat, but also, he would most likely fold all K6, K9 and 69 combos (unless he's crazy optimistic lol) so with a pre floo 3-bet you'd be facing an easier decision on the flop once you got raised.

So what should you do? Shipping is one option but even if you are particularly wary of sets, I would still call the raise with pocket aces and evaluate the turn.
Hope this helped

when u hear hoof beats think horses not zebras... most likely scenario is villain has a king

Folt