Poker Thoughts: Folding Premium Hands

There are times when it is advisable to fold premium hands such as AA and AK after the flop. This is particularly applicable under the following circumstances:

1. Opponent is a very tight player (typically VP$IP: 15 \ PRF: 12 or below)
2. Opponent is at least somewhat competent
3. Opponent simply calls a preflop raise (or, better yet, a preflop 3-bet)
4. Opponent check-raises your flop raise
5. Opponent shows strength on the turn by betting into the pot if he is out of position or re-raising again your turn bet if he is in position

Under the circumstances discussed above, it is usually a good idea to fold an overpair such as AA or KK. Here is a hand that illustrates this:

No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed)

CO ($69.95)
Button ($67.85)
SB ($99.40)
BB ($103.65)
UTG ($198.50)
Hero (MP) ($99.50)

Preflop: Hero is MP with A, A
1 fold, Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, SB calls $3, 1 fold
Small blind is (14/10/1.5) over 94 hands (tight, not very aggressive player)

Flop: ($8) 4, 6, 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $5, SB raises to $15, Hero calls $10
Flop is dangerous: it is the perfect flop for a connector-type hand (typical hand that one would simply call from the small blind). SB check-raises my $5... I should have just called with the intention of folding if opponent showed strength on the turn.

Turn: ($38) 10 (2 players)
SB bets $24, Hero calls $24
Opponent shows a lot of strength by betting big out of position. I should have folded here. However, the turn is a total brick and I decided to call in case SB was betting a straight draw (not likely considering how tight he is and his lack of aggression)

River: ($86) 6 (2 players)
SB bets $56.90 (All-In), Hero raises to $57 (All-In)
At this point I just call knowing I'm beat by either a flopped straight or a flopped set turned into a full house by an irrelevant river card. I should have folded again here.


SB had 5, 5 (full house, fives over sixes).

Hero had A, A (two pair, Aces and sixes).

Outcome: SB won $196.80

An example of poor play by me...