I suppose this will be table dependent but as a general rule, should I be raising or limping AT or AJ? Right now I almost always raise AJ and most often limp with AT but I don't really have a strategy behind it. Obviously in later position and when suited raise more, but is there more to it with these hands? I feel lost with them sometimes and there are a lot of weak/passive players that will limp AK and just check/call the whole way and I value own myself.

There's a third option, as well.

All hands are not one-dimensional and I get bugged by this.

The answer to your question is:

When you are making a limp/raise what are you are trying to accomplish with the hand? Are you trying to get value? balance your range? induce other people to come along? Trying to play a big pot IP post flop when you hit? etc. etc.

Try to think about that and you should get your answer.

As mentioned, there is no blanket recommendation here, especially across positions.

What's alarming though is you need to have a plan for whatever you feel most comfortable with. Doesn't really matter giving advice on these hands if you have no gameplan.

Limping is detestable. Get help now, before it's too late.

Raising in late position and folding the rest, suited changes things.

I am folding AJ & A10 pre unless in late position then I raise AJ suited

So you're folding AJ offsuit in a limped pot with middle position most of the time? Is this just being tight? Or is this something everyone should be doing?

It's just a rough guide it isn't like there is a manual for this. A10 and AJ just have more value in mp and late position.

if you want a hard-and-fast rule to follow while you're learning, use this one:

don't limp. ever.

Either raise or fold. from every position, no matter what the action is in front of you. This is not how most players play, but it will teach you discipline while you're learning.

As for what I'm doing with AJ/AT in middle position after limpers, the answer (as always) is "it depends". If I raise, is there a good chance to get heads up with one of limpers, in position? If yes, then I'll raise it up. If not, then fold is usually better.

Sorry but this is just a stupid question

All hands have more value in late position. I'm assuming OP is referring to full ring, not 6max. EP is probably a fold, depending on table dynamics. MP is sometimes fold, sometimes raise, again depending on dynamics. Any position is raise or fold, never limp.

Fold AT. AJ is usually a raise pre but fold is fine too

Not only does this depend on table dynamics, how many limpers in front of you, how likely the limpers are to call a raise, who is left to act in back of you (ie is the button a good player, will he 3bet somewhat often to put pressure on the raiser)...but it also depends on your own image/overall gameplan. If you're perceived as very tight, it's more likely that observant players only come along with better hands than AT when you raise it from EP and MP. When that happens you're overrepping the strength of the hand with the preflop raise and cannot get too excited about A high flops since callers will sometimes have a better ace, esp if the flop went multiway. If you were perceived as a maniac then players would be more likely to call with A8 and actually think they have the best hand a lot of the time.

No offense, but if you have to ask this question then I suggest you fold it in EP, open raise maybe in MP, and open raise in LP (open raise, not raise over limpers). If there are limpers either limp behind or fold. More so the suited rather than the off suit. But for the most part if you are struggling with it it's probably best to just fold. Focus on how to get the most value out of the hands you are more comfortable with. The rest will come to you.

As stated earlier this question is very general and so table dependent, etc.

/thread