Fold AK UTG?

[kurtcobain]

I dont have pokertracker, but I'm guessing AK (off, but maybe even suited) isn't a big winner UTG. I've been experimenting with ways to play it, so as to avoid "winning small pots and losing big ones"

What about min raising? It'll build a decent sized pot with 3 or 4 callers, which you can usually take down when an A or K flops, and sometimes get paid off w/ middle pair because nobody really puts an UTG min-raiser on AK.

AK is like the popular girl who thinks she's hot stuff but isn't good looking.

[Lunamondo]

One needs to experiment with different ways in different games and see how things go. The game and its type has a lot to say what is right here. At least at low limit games when people minimum raise (2x the BB in this case, but one needs to also consider 2.5 and up to 3 when one is "minimum" raising, when opening) they too are feeling weak-strong like you, just that they might have AJ, KQ, ATs, AT or some pocket pair. The dominated factor is the main factor one needs to consider, the other is what one rates to get with a limp or a minimum raise, and considering the size of the field one gets when raising less.

[ike]

If you're not comfortable playing AK you may want to consider folding every single hand. Just sit there posting blinds, its your best shot.
In all seriousness, if you're losing with AK its not AK's fault. You're probably folding far too much or far too little postflop with it.

[Chris Daddy Cool]

[ QUOTE ]
If you're not comfortable playing AK you may want to consider folding every single hand. Just sit there posting blinds, its your best shot.


[/ QUOTE ]

You mean wait for AA or KK right? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[ThePopinjay]

if you're playing at PartyPoker don't play KK in seat 3, 7, or agaainst the guy in the green beret. you'll be up against AA everytime.

[TheCat]

Been thinking a bit about AK. It does not do well in multiway pot so you need to raise with it knock out drawing hands like JTs. However it’s a dog against any pair. So you make a big raise, 33 goes all in, you call, you are now 45% to win. Still someone does need to have a pair to give you trouble in the first place. So a big raise is correct I’m sure. If you get to the flop with one or two callers you are in good shape. If you hit great, if not you can get away from it cheaply, well mostly you can.

[Jon Matthews]

Min raising is c rap, raise by 2xBB UTG if you want but min raises entice people to try and break you.

Raising is meant to be a field limiting action. You want to play your high cards against a hand which it dominates, and the most likely way to be in this situation is in a raised pot. Min raising does not accomplish this. Limp instead and get out cheaper if you miss.

Jon

[hectorjelly]

[ QUOTE ]
Min raising is c rap, Raising is meant to be a field limiting action. You want to play your high cards against a hand which it dominates, and the most likely way to be in this situation is in a raised pot. Min raising does not accomplish this. Limp instead and get out cheaper if you miss.

Jon

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Raising is sometimes intended to be a Field Limiting action, but not always. However Jon is right min raising is usually a terrible idea, as it accomplishes very little. Anybody who has called the original bet will call the second one as well, all you have done is alert people to the fact that you have a hand. Instead of min raising try limping, but you really should be raising with AK. An entire book could be written about playing AK, and the question really doesnt make sense without context. I would play AK extremely differently in a deep stacked environment than in your usual party poker $100 buy in. In general, the shorter the stacks the more aggresively I would play it. To me AK is a hand that never wants to see a flop, and if it does it going to be all in.

[sdplayerb]

totally agree.
I love when people minraise early. I will call with just about anything if I have a decent stack since i will lose that small amount, or stack off against them.
I don't think there is anytime ever to minraise in a live NL game.

[Leo Bello]

Interesting topic, have gone to my series of topics about AK.
Most difficult hand to play here. BTW, my two cents... min raise and limping is working well here.
I used to make big raises, and was beggining to make this hand a break even hand. By limping, I miss more flops but can go out cheaply and when I hit, I am disguised and make more money, paying for the 3 or 4 times I limped and didn´t hit.
It may not be the most profitable, but at least is giving some profit back.