Playing AKs (missed flop)

BelfastTheCat · #1 03-23-2005, 01:16 AM

I have very mixed opinions on how to play AK when the flop
misses you and you have a single caller to your inital PF
raise. Certainly in literature I have read two opposite
opinions (T.J. Clouiter: 'your done with the hand') and
(Doyle Brunson: 'I fire a pot sized bet when I'm the raiser
regardless of whether the flop hit me or not')

In this particular instance I was very new to the table,
and had no read on the villian. I selected to take an aggressive opening stance and ran into stern resistance.

What are peoples opinions on:
1) Betting into a caller on the missed flop?

2) Amount of the bet (pot sized) into the caller?

3) Letting go of the hand?

thank you for any thoughts.

Party Poker Pot-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (9 handed) converter

BB ($52.85)
UTG ($53.55)
Hero ($48.25)
MP1 ($49.57)
MP2 ($54)
MP3 ($90.6)
CO ($42.6)
Button ($60.1)
SB ($68.65)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. SB posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG calls $0.50, Hero raises to $2, 2 folds, MP3 calls $2, 4 folds, UTG calls $1.50.

Flop: ($6.75) 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $6, MP3 raises to $12, UTG folds, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $24.75

tree_stump · #2 03-23-2005, 01:51 AM

Normally, I subscribe to the Brunson theory... If I raise PF with AK, I'm firing a pot sized bet on the flop. It works more often than not.

Here, however, the board paired 8s... I also try to never draw when I'm drawing dead. So, I bet the flop, and muck to the raise... just like you did.

pzhon · #3 03-23-2005, 02:25 AM

On a board without many draws, you don't need to bet the pot to make weak made hands very uncomfortable. I usually bet more like 2/3 of the pot, or 1/2 on a very dry board, whether I have AK or AA.

pottie · #4 03-23-2005, 04:09 AM

Im firing the potsize bet to almost all flops against one or two opponents.

Regarding bet size remember to not get predictable with the flop bet esp at higher levels (e.g. missed flop 50%, made flop 100%, check monsters). Vary your play or keep bet size consistant.

stankybank · #5 03-23-2005, 06:02 AM

Generally, w/ no read on single opponent I continue to show aggression until I'm faced w/ aggression myself. Once you check, he can bet w/ anything because most players will see your check as, "Gee, my AK missed so I'll check and hope he checks and we all check it down unless I hit an A or K in which case I'll bet and hope he calls".