The table just opened so I don't have a lot of info about the villain. I've seen him a few times so I consider the villain as a recreational 2/5 player.
2/5 nl live cash game. the effective stack size is around $850 and the villain covers me. I am in middle position with AdQh and open to $20. Button calls and the villain in SB 3 bets to $90. I call and the button folds, so heads up to the flop.
pot - $200
flop is Qc10c8h
Villain cbets to $200. I thought this was very polarizing and put him on over pairs or big draw. Since I have TPTK, and block some Aces I decided to call and evaluate.
Pot - $600, turn is 5h
Villain took a look at my stack and quickly bets $400.
Hero only has about $550 behind, so only play is to jam here or fold.
I'm just folding to the 3bet pre. This is a bit thin imo. AQs is probably ok but AQo is just gonna be dominated and in a bad spot too often.
As played calling flop is obviously good. What more could we have asked for so we can't fold now. Turn is a really ugly spot because we are now priced in but what are we beating? Is this unknown just bombing pot on flop and 2/3 bet turn with AK (which we block)? Not really. Looks like KK to me. I'm leaning towards puke folding as an exploit since players at this level aren't going to be bluffing ever with this line.
Folding to the 3 bet pre as a default. In general the population tendencies is to 3 bet way way too tight, and the consequence of this is that we have to make adjustments of folding more hands. AQo is a very difficult hand to play in a 3 bet pot. This hand and this flop is a good example of why. You flop top/top in position, and still you arent comfortable getting the money in.
I would much rather call this 3 bet with hands like 78s or a small pocket pair,that plays better against a premiumheavy range+easier to navigate postflop. AQ off is just a trouble hand in this spot, unless we are up against an aggro 3 bettor with a much wider 3 betting range than your average Joe at the 2/5 table.
Ya, folding to the 3-bet pre too. But mainly because I play extra tight when I don't know the player tendencies. As played, I'm looking for live tells when Villain bets the flop. If I get a strength tell, or if there is no read (which is most of the time), I fold.
If I decided to call the flop (which is a big question), I'll probably call him down. If you jam, you show first and that should be avoided, when possible.
Also folding to the 3bet vs an unknown. Live players 3bet ranges are too nutted to call. With reads or history then it's a call vs some players.
Idk what to do as played. In theory we can't fold but I think it's totally fine to fold the turn. It's close. Vs some players it will be +ev to call and others massively - ev so in super close high variance spots I usually lean towards fold for less variance.
Preflop: The raise is good, but fold to the reraise. In a non blind steal situation AQ does not fare well against a typical live players 3 betting range.
Flop: As played, call. If you raise, you'll likely only get called by a better hand and won't fold out any worse ones.
Turn: Fold. Your opponent is representing a hand that beats TPTK and I just don't find it likely that a random reg. will fire 3 streets with a bluff.
Preflop is the key street here. The uncomfortable postflop spot you got into was born out of calling with a hand that isn't so hot even when you hit the flop.
