AKs @ half way point, played correctly?

[nolefan21]

Intercasino Poker Freeroll $300

Just curious if anyone would play this differently. I realize this is a freeroll, but usually all the crazy people are out by the first break. This was a few hands after the break. No history, so I'll have to post from memory.

Average stack was probably around 5,500

Hero (~3800) in MP with A [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]K [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Blinds are 150/300

Folded to me, I raise to 1200. Folded to BB (~9000) who thinks for a while and calls.

Flop is J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]Q [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]K [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

BB bets out 2000, I push, he calls.

BB showk K [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]5 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].....makes the flush on the turn.

Gotta go at that point?

[SossMan]

Well played. I would have raised bet T900 preflop, but it's just a preference thing. Wouldn't have changed anything. I don't think you can fold that flop.

[applej25]

Hey Nolefan,

I play the freerolls at inter as well. The players there are very loose as im sure you know. I like the play, but maybe I would have considered pushing preflop, you will routinely be called by worse hands at this stage of the tournament.

On another note, You may want to consider a fold after he bets out on the flop if you believe his hand was indeed a reasonable hand to call with ( K-10, Q-J, K-J, A-10, and of course AA,KK,QQ,JJ. This is definitely a tough laydown and I would probably not make it myself, but something to think about.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents. I'll look for you at the tables!!
applej25

[Big Jon]

These kinds of hands hurt. It's definitely an all-or-nothing decision on the flop, but there is something you should consider.

After your raise of T1200, you were left with 2600 chips. His flop bet of T2000 is basically telling you that you will be pot committed if you play. Big stacks always like to make this play against smaller stacks, but rarely without already having a hand, especially with such a scary board facing a raise (though, it's possible he put you on a steal). When you see this happen, you're likely to be looking at a good hand, good draw, or both, unless the guy is a maniac. Not that this necessarily would have made the decision easier, but it is something you should remember.

Next time, if the flop hits you a little better, or a little worse, you can use this information to make a sound judgment about how to proceed. You lost, sure, but you also learned a valuable lesson. You can also use this same play against other players to get them pot committed when it's to your advantage.

[nolefan21]

Thanks apple...I think I've seen you in a couple of these. I'll bee looking for you.

You're right, the first hour is always extremely loose, but I've found that it usually settles down around the first break. A buddy of mine in this same tournament, in the first hour, got his KK cracked when he raised in EP to 3x BB, had 2 callers, flop was 348 rainbow. He bet 1/2 pot, LP came over top all-in, had J8 and caught a J on the river. That seems to be the types of things that happen in these freerolls.

Thanks for the comments.