AQs from CO facing a MP open — fold, call or 3-bet?
The answer
3-bet
re-raise for value
The math: Suited ace-queen dominates an MP range — 3-bet for value and initiative.
Why
Ace-queen suited is ahead of a middle-position open and dominates the AJ, AT, KQ and worse aces inside it. A 3-bet gets value from those hands, takes the betting lead, and folds out the parts of the range that had you beaten. Suitedness adds a flush backup for the times you are called. Re-raise.
The spot
- Your seat
- CO
- Stakes and stacks
- $1 / $2 · 100bb
- Your hand
- A♠ Q♠
- Board
- Preflop — no board yet
- Pot
- POT · $8
- Action on you
- MP raises to $5
Every option
Foldlet it go
Why not: A♠ Q♠ is far too strong to fold to a middle-position open — it dominates the weaker aces and broadways in that range.
Callflat it
Why not: Calling is playable, but 3-betting a suited ace-queen takes the initiative, gets value from worse aces, and can win the pot outright when MP folds.
3-betre-raise for valueCorrect
The idea behind it
Facing an open, 3-bet the strong, dominating hands for value. Suited broadways with an ace play well: they get value now and flop flushes and top pairs that stack worse aces.
Concept: Facing a raise
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.