Hero's preflop iso-raise with AQo was solid, and the flop call with top pair top kicker was correct. The key decision was calling UTG's turn all-in for 14,000 into a 46,000 pot — getting better than 3:1, this is a clear call with two pair (Queens and 4s) and was the right play despite losing to KQo at showdown.
Street-by-Street Analysis
Preflop (7/10)
Raising over two limpers with AQo from the LJ is correct — you want to isolate and build a pot with a premium hand. The sizing of 6,000 (3.75x) is reasonable but could be slightly larger (4-4.5x) with two limpers and antes in the pot to thin the field more effectively.
Flop (8/10)
Top pair, ace kicker on a Q-high board — flatting UTG's 5,000 donk bet into a 22,000 pot is good. You have position, the best top pair possible, and raising would fold out worse hands while only getting action from hands that beat you or have strong draws. Smooth-calling keeps UTG's bluffs and weaker queens in.
Turn (9/10)
The 4♦ pairs the board, giving you two pair (Queens and 4s). UTG shoves 14,000 into 32,000 and you're getting better than 3:1 on a call. You beat all single-pair queens (KQ, QJ, QT), all bluffs, and chop with AQ. Only pocket aces, a set of queens, or pocket fives beat you — a narrow range. This is a mandatory call.
Hindsight: UTG held K♠Q♣ for two pair (Kings and Queens via the paired board giving every queen two pair, but their king outkicked your hand). Unlucky result — KQ is exactly the kind of hand you want calling your iso-raise and then overplaying postflop. Your call was correct against the full range of hands UTG could take this line with.
