The Tao of Playing Aces

[AJG]

This has nothing to do with the previous thread I started (AA v 72o)...

I was having a conversation about this at a game on Sat night.
Players seem to often have 2 diametrically opposite views of playing pocket Aces...
One end of the spectrum thinks them to be unbeatable and refuses the fold them, EVER, even on a (high) board with 4 straight and/or flush cards.
The other camp seems to be convinced they will be beaten, so shove to get everyone in the pot (even only the blinds) to fold, convinced they are going to be beaten if they see a flop.

This in-game chat is typical of the latter. I open raised AJs from MP, and this player shoves over me from the BB for like 7+K (@75/150). I folded after my 1st comment in the chat:

Code: Select all

.pKoIkNeGr. >> what the?
PlayerX >> AA
.pKoIkNeGr. >> overplayed then (imho)
PlayerX >> what u have
PlayerX >> ???
.pKoIkNeGr. >> AJs
PlayerX >> better then losing on them
.pKoIkNeGr. >> could have got more value tho
Dealer >> (Hand# 226286576) .pokerqueen. won $705, didn't show hand
.pKoIkNeGr. >> but ur game mate
BionicMike >> g1
.pokerqueen. >> lol
PlayerX >> i have lost on them heaps. i hate plaing pockets

The player I was discussing with (Sat night) agreed, but said he had never really thought about it. We had just seen a player shove pre with AA 2x in the last 10 hands or so, a way overbet preflop to which all folded, which prompted the discussion at the next break.

Im wondering where these points of view come from?
Do people get Aces cracked and then get scared? But then, they would have had KJ beaten to (or KK or whatever hand), but not shove every time they get that??

And those who never fold them... MUST have had them beaten plenty of times...

Personally, I think it is (obviosly) a strong hand pre and should be played as such, but is definitely foldable on the right (wrong?) board... As in most if not all of poker it is entirely situationally dependant.
Seems strange that this hand, more than any other, has such wide ranging opinions on how it should be played... Also such rigid opinions...

What is it about pocket Aces that (seems to) make it the most controversial hand?

[Scotty]

Most people feel it is their right to win a hand in which they hold AA. They deserve it.

Maybe the thought of losing with it is too much to bear for some

[AceLosesKing]

Most people feel it is their right to win a hand in which they hold AA. They deserve it.

Maybe the thought of losing with it is too much to bear for some

This.

[BigPete33]

Some players also think that AA is the best hand you can have, ever

Don't have any time for those that whinge about them *always* losing though. They're just doing it wrong.

[Swanky]

Some players also think that AA is the best hand you can have, ever

They are, they are the best and deserve to win anytime against any hand, you never have any right to call me with what ever you have if I have AA even if you have AA.

have any time for those that whinge about them *always* losing though. They're just doing it wrong.

That's what she said.