AK Tough decision

nebben · #1 06-05-2005, 09:46 AM

No reads on villain.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (10 handed) converter

Hero ($28.35)
Button ($29.45)
SB ($57.25)
BB ($27.7)
UTG ($38.15)
UTG+1 ($11.2)
UTG+2 ($27.4)
MP1 ($12.7)
MP2 ($25.15)
MP3 ($8.65)

Preflop: Hero is CO with K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. SB posts a blind of $0.1.
UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1.75, 3 folds, UTG calls $1.50, UTG+2 calls $1.50, MP2 folds.

Flop: ($5.85) A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (3 players)
UTG bets $6, UTG+2 folds, Hero calls $6.

Turn: ($17.85) 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)
UTG bets $17, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $34.85

The decision for me isnt here on the turn, its on the flop. Basically, my choices are to raise (which pot commits me) to miniraise or to flat call. They all have their drawbacks.
How do you guys play this hand (all streets welcome.)

Los Feliz Slim · #2 06-05-2005, 10:42 AM

I raise to $15 on the flop, realizing it commits me and ready to go down with that ship. He beats you with 87 or a set on the flop, with these stacks that's a chance I'm willing to take w/AK when there's an A on the flop.

dtbog · #3 06-05-2005, 10:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
No reads on Villain.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not?

(This is my new kick -- trying to convince people to take notes and get reads on their opponents!) Why didn't you have any reads? Did the player just sit down? Are you playing a lot of tables? Do you or do you not use PT?

[ QUOTE ]
my choices are to raise (which pot commits me) to miniraise or to flat call.

[/ QUOTE ]

Raise.

At this level, AQ/AJ/even AT will pay you off, and you might be splitting with AK. You're right -- a real raise pot-commits you -- but be glad that you didn't leave yourself in the position of folding on the turn when a scare card comes.

-dB

PS: Also -- if this were a higher level I'd be more worried about a hand like 78, but at NL $25 few people understand the value of suited connectors in NL. I showed my friend a hand I played yesterday where I stacked someone with 56s, and he was incredulous that I called a raise with it. This thinking is common.

nebben · #4 06-05-2005, 01:46 PM

Actually, now that I think about it, the bet of 17 seems odd, and I think I should have pushed. This is a very suspicious way to play a boat no? Is this logic faulty?

TexArcher · #5 06-05-2005, 01:54 PM

I would have raised his $6 on the flop up to about $15 or $18 and I'll bet he either folds right there or pays me off with AQ or AJ at least half the time.