Don't think this is too opponent-dependent, but substitute "good thinking hs reg" if so. No history between us this tourney (I assume he either views me as a random or a tightish 2p2er-type), and he hasn't been at the table all that long.

With no antes I thought flatting was best pre, but I'm happy to consider other options. (I guess his UTG+1 opening range is tight enough with 20 BB preante that folding might be fine or even best?) At the time, I also thought it was fine to bet flop when checked to, as he should be cbetting most/all of his value range, but upon reflection I hate betting here b/c we never fold out better given the flop texture and we're obv not getting value from anything worse.

That said, his crai confused the heck out of me, and I'm interested in thoughts on his range when taking this line. Is he just going for stack-a-donk with JJ+, or...? And if AQo is an easy decision here, what do you do with 88?

Poker Stars $100+$9 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t100/t200 Blinds - 9 players

dudeoflife21 (BB): t5536 27.68 BBs
smokin27 (UTG): t14540 72.70 BBs
*****rk (UTG+1): t4068 20.34 BBs
Hibbs08 (UTG+2): t11858 59.29 BBs
Hero (MP1): t5745 28.73 BBs
1GENERAL_TAO (MP2): t2030 10.15 BBs
pw1788 (CO): t3897 19.48 BBs
Rod_Lasmar (BTN): t8812 44.06 BBs
josht7 (SB): t24566 122.83 BBs

Pre Flop: (t300) Hero is MP1 with A Q
1 fold, *****rk raises to t400, 1 fold, Hero calls t400, 5 folds

Flop: (t1100) 4 6 4 (2 players)
*****rk checks, Hero bets t575, *****rk raises to t3668 all in, Hero ?

fold pre

Pre is marginal... fold is probably correct but I often end up flatting in-game.

As you wrote, the flop bet is a clear mistake and really accomplishes little to nothing. As played AQ and 88 both seem like easy folds, especially given that we hold the Ah. I could see thinking players occasionally making this move with a bare AK, but certainly not often enough to justify a call with 88 (and obviously not with AQ).

fold or 3b/c pre, prob fold
as played fold

im with keeper that us holding the Ah makes this an easier fold. Obv this is a line people take with draws a ton but we block the biggest one.

its a fold pre unless you are trying to induce a squeeze.

also FWIW villan's line is one I take very frequently with AK exactly

as played do not bet flop lol

I think us holding the Ah makes this an easier check behind too!

3bet/fold pre, check back flop/fold to aicr