A5s from CO, first in — fold, call or raise?
The answer
Raise
open the pot
The math: One off the button the chart opens A2s+. A5s is a fine steal here.
Why
A5s already opens in this six-max UTG baseline and becomes even more profitable in the Cutoff. Fewer players remain, the ace blocks strong hands, and the suit gives you nut-flush potential. Raise and attack the blinds.
The spot
- Your seat
- CO
- Stakes and stacks
- $1 / $2 · 100bb
- Your hand
- A♦ 5♦
- Board
- Preflop — no board yet
- Pot
- POT · $3
- Action on you
- Folds to you
Every option
Foldgive up the hand
Why not: In the Cutoff A5s is a clear open. Folding here just leaves money on the table.
Calllimp in
Why not: Limping surrenders the initiative; with only the blinds behind, raise and often take it down now.
Raiseopen the potCorrect
2bb · $4 · 2.5bb · $5 · 3bb · $6
The idea behind it
A5s opens throughout this chart, but its value still rises with position: fewer opponents remain and you are more likely to play postflop in position.
Concept: Position widens ranges
Terms in this spot
Play it instead of reading it
The trainer deals this hand with hints, grading and spaced repetition — and randomized variations of it once you have seen it.