I just finished the excellent NL Holdem book by Harrington. His starting hand recommendations are excellent. However, I have a question concerning his treatment of KQo and AQo.

1.) KQo

He looks at the following two cases:
a) No one has entered the pot: He recommends fold/call in EP
b) One caller in 3rd position, you are in fifth position: He recommends folding

Why that? With one caller already in the pot my odds are better. Is this due to the gap concept (you need a better hand to call than to bet) ?

2.) AQo

He looks at the following three cases:
a) No one has entered the pot: He recommends raise/call in EP
b) One caller in 3rd position, you are in fifth position: He recommends calling
c) You are on the button, three caller in front of you: He recommends calling

Why that? My thinking is as nearer at the button as more likely I would raise in an unraised pot.

Thanks in advance!!!!
MHFlush

Remember one thing. Big unsuited cards go down in value as stack sizes go up in relation to blinds. KQo isn't ever gonna be a really profitable hand in deep-stacked poker. Think about it. When a K or Q flops, well, they expect you to have TP when you bet. Thus you aren't too likely to get action when you are winning. The only exception is against hands like QJ or KJ, which are even worse hands to play. However, when a lot of money goes in you can't expect to have the best hand with just TPGK. You will be in trouble very often against AQ/AK and against flopped sets. There is absolutely no deception - ever - with KQ. Even if you flop a boat with KKQ they can easily put you on KQ.