Common AKo situation where I'm still not sure

Paluka · #1 09-15-2005, 08:50 AM

Consider to be Partypoker 30-60 through 100-200. Assume your opponents are not regulars, so you don't realy know them and they don't know you. From observation you would guess they have a clue but are not particularly good, as their stats make them look okay but they have all made questionable plays. Overall you don't have a ton of information on them.
MP raises, MP cold calls. You 3 bet with AKo on the button. BB calls the 2 raises, and the other 2 players call. 4 to the flop.
The flop comes and you don't make a pair. They all check to you.
What sort of flops will you check behind on?

BarronVangorToth · #2 09-15-2005, 09:00 AM

You have control of the hand, position, and everyone checked to you. There are 6.25BB sitting out there and you might win outright by putting out .5BB with your overs.

Bet. See what develops ... and it might let you see the river for free where you can further make decisions.

But I really dislike having the control+position combo and then NOT utilizing it as I have "nothing" - especially with the price you're getting.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Paluka · #3 09-15-2005, 09:02 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You have control of the hand, position, and everyone checked to you. There are 6.25BB sitting out there and you might win outright by putting out .5BB with your overs.

Bet. See what develops ... and it might let you see the river for free where you can further make decisions.

But I really dislike having the control+position combo and then NOT utilizing it as I have "nothing" - especially with the price you're getting.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

[/ QUOTE ]

Well yes those are the basics. And this is obviously why I basically always bet, but I'm pretty sure always betting isn't right.

BarronVangorToth · #4 09-15-2005, 09:09 AM

You shouldn't "always" do anything... If you're looking for situations you'd check behind to theoretically try to induce action, it would be when you hit hands you don't mind slowplaying where you think your opponent will catch up and still not best you (AAx, KKx, AAK, QJ10, etc etc).

Otherwise ... I think giving the free card is giving up too much.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Paluka · #5 09-15-2005, 09:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You shouldn't "always" do anything... If you're looking for situations you'd check behind to theoretically try to induce action, it would be when you hit hands you don't mind slowplaying where you think your opponent will catch up and still not best you (AAx, KKx, AAK, QJ10, etc etc).

Otherwise ... I think giving the free card is giving up too much.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

[/ QUOTE ]

So actually you are saying you would always bet when you flopped nothing.

BarronVangorToth · #6 09-15-2005, 09:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]

So actually you are saying you would always bet when you flopped nothing.

[/ QUOTE ]

A bit has to do with your opponents, also, if they are check-raising maniacs (which many are). Depending on the board, that may or may not be a good thing.

But, yes, far more often than not, I think in this situation the bet is the right call whether you hit or not ... but if you're looking for spots to check behind, outside the obvious flopping the nuts (or close to it) you have to think about your competition.

It's hard to look at a generic situation as ... a generic situation ... as your opponents stats do come into play.

But, yes, I believe this is a bet.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Soh · #7 09-15-2005, 01:15 PM

You want to bet your AK with QJT board.

Soh

Bartholow · #8 09-15-2005, 04:47 PM

I think checking all those "monster" flops would be a big mistake as well.

Steve Giufre · #9 09-15-2005, 05:01 PM

I guess I could see checking a AAx flop, but I would pretty much never do it. I think checking a JQK flop would be like opening up your window and throwing a handful of money out of it.

dopp16 · #10 09-16-2005, 09:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I think giving the free card is giving up too much.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the OP means that sometimes you may want to GET the free card especcially if four people see the flop. I happen to agree that you are getting to good odds on your .5 bb bet, but if you are playing lags, it may be okay to check behind once in a while