Is there ever a time to throw "AA" away preflop in holdem poker?

Question

I can't think of a situation but would appreciate an expert opinion

Answer 1

Some good answers here.  It's rare, it's only in tournament situations, and only in cases where you've got a shorter stack, there's going to be people going out of the tourney, and it's important that this not happen.  The simplest example is there is 3 people left in a single table tourney and only the top 2 get paid.  Both your opponents who have significantly larger stacks than you are all in and one of them is either going to be out or crippled to the point where you pretty much know you've got second.  If you call and lose then you're going out third and out of the money.

Having said this it is very tough to throw away pocket aces preflop under ANY circumstances :)

A.J.

http://kingcobrapoker.com

Answer 2

The only time where you should fold AA is in a satellite situation, where you are the shortstack and are facing multiple all in bets.

Answer 3

there's usually 3 conditions i have to meet before I will throw away AA:

1. 2 or more players are already all-in on the hand, and eliminating 1 will take me to the money.

2. My chip stack is about average, and I don't need to double up to survive.

3. Several tight players are involved in the hand.

I'll explain each:

1. If it is still 3 or more players to the money, I would still play more or less normally, which means pushing aces.

2. If my M is under 2, I'm pretty much calling with anything. Having a medium M allows me to throw away some good hands (although hopefully not all of them.)

3. If a tight player raises, and another tight player re-raises, you're probably facing 2 pairs. against two sets of pairs, aces are about 60% to win.

Answer 4

Never pre folp that is the best starting hand ever.

Answer 5

I'd never would throw Aces away, why?  Because is the single best hand that you can get pre-flop, no matters what the scenario or situation is around you, the odds are in your favor. You won't win all the time with AA (I'm sure some of you if not all have been there), but whatever happens you made the right choice by playing them because you were the favorite to win the pot.

Answer 6

In cash games no.

In tournament games possibly.

If there are four callers you will have less than 50% chance of winning. Sometimes survival is more important.

Answer 7

All of the reasons FOR folding AA preflop so far are great.  I can't say I've done it, though.  I SURE have mucked AA, I never show ANY of my hands unless needed outside of small, friendly games.

Answer 8

My first instinct was to say "No!! I would never preflop fold AA!" But after reading the other answers, I can see how, in a tournament situation only, it might be in your best interest to not get involved in the pot.

But I would never ever ever fold AA preflop in a cash game.

Answer 9

I don't think I could ever throw away "AA" ...EVER LOL...but I think it has to do with many people going all in and the chances of sharing cards, another holding AA or AK or another Ace with something...which will basically leave your aces dead and someone can get trips or a straight or whatever...I still don't think I can fold them :)