In the past I found that the following methodology worked pretty well at near full-handed tables.

If early position with A and (K, Q, J suited or not) and I'm going to play it, a standard 3 X BB bet with a continuation bet of half the pot whether I hit my hand or not.

The problem with this play has primarily been that players do not appear to generally have respect for a continuation bet. I feel that if I livepokerforum in that situation early on in a SNG and get played back, I will lose around 1/3 to 1/2 of my chips, which can be debilitating early on.

As a result, I tend to either fold these hands now in EP, or play them like a medium pair. I try to see the flop as cheaply as possible (given that many times whoever leads the betting will set the tone for the hand, so if I limp and others limp, there is a good chance that it won't be raised on the end). By playing in this fashion, I can hit that ace with a good kicker and play it strongly post flop, rather than risk a lot up front and be faced with a weak fold after my AJ suited doesn't hit.

Obviously, short-handed, I'm playing these hands stronger, raising with them, etc. But full or near full handed, I've seen so many people overplay these hands, that I tend to just fold them up and wait.

Thoughts?

If you're alot better than your opponents, it makes sense to limp more. If you are not much better than your opponents, then it's not a good idea to let go of that much equity by letting them in cheap with crappy hands.

A good litmus test: if you don't think your opponents can get away from A7 if they hit an ace, OR you think that you can get away from AK against an opponent's A7 if the board comes up A7x, then you should consider limping. If both are true, you should probably always limp. If neither is true, you should be raising.

I think I defintely pass the litmus test, as I'd rather give them credit that chips.

Thanks for your responses guys. PS, Nash, I'm at $640 in the current bankroll, soon as I hit $660, I'm going to the $22s. Hope I see you at the $1000 SNGs one day!!!

Along with what Fla said... the bigger raise will limit the field more making the flop less likely to hit players.