AK when you don't hit the flop - a dumb question

[Fantam]

You should usually raise from any position with AK, even if the pot has already been raised in front of you.

You wont pair your A or K on the flop about 1 third of the time, but that doesnt mean that you should always fold your overcards.

You will have about a 7 to 1 chance of pairing one of your cards on the turn, so you should now play your hand like a weak draw.

Thats because even if you do subsequently catch an A or K, top pair is not a strong draw like a flush or straight, as it will lose to a stronger hand more often by the river.

Some of the things to consider if you miss the flop are the texture of the board and how many other opponents are still in the hand.

Specifically you should be less inclined to play against many opponents and if the board is co-ordinated. So if the flop contains flush or straight draws you should consider folding if you are bet into and the pot is multiway.

However if you have a backdoor flush draw yourself, you would be more inclined to continue in the hand, at least until the turn.