Discussion : Why not to raise AK early

[shejk]

I was thinking pocket pair. And that if so, he probably wouldn't release it. Thank you for the advice though, I'll think about liberating my standards in such situations.

[curtains]

I understand, I think that too in some situations, but they will have a pocket pair less often than you think, and may even fold them sometimes. I like to prove it to me that they have something, by betting at least 125 on the flop (maybe a tad more).

[KenProspero]

My reasons to bet AK early.

1. I get called by players with real crap many times.
2. Even if villians hold non crap like AQ or KQ, ots of times dominated hands stay in.
3. Except for AA, and KK, I'm either a big favorite or on the short side of a coin flip
4. AK plays better heads up than against multiple opps -- so it tends to weed the field down. Besides, I hate giving free cards when I think I'm ahead.
5. Did I mention, sometimes players call with real crap
6. Continuation bets work a large percentage of the time.
7. In late position, there are often plenty of opportunities, whether you hit or not.
8. Finally, players often call with real crap.

[Daliman]

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I think I've had enough success taking pots with a continuation bet that it has been worth betting AK early, at least if I have good position.

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Same here.

[johnnybeef]

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I think I've had enough success taking pots with a continuation bet that it has been worth betting AK early, at least if I have good position.

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Same here.

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me 3

edit: just checked my stats for ako and aks at levels 1-3. of the 6 different stats, only one was <75% winner.

[johnnybeef]

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I think I've had enough success taking pots with a continuation bet that it has been worth betting AK early, at least if I have good position.

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that being said, im curious how do you play ( and more importantly why do you play it that way) ak in ep, or in a raised pot???

[microbet]

In late position if it is minraised, I'll reraise. If it is regularly raised 3-5BBs, I'll call but then post flop I won't bet unless I hit the flop.

I'm really not so sure early. With no table read I would still raise early. If players are fairly solid, meaning some of them fold preflop even without a raise, I could see limping and seeing what follows. You can get paid off this way if someone in late position makes a modest raise and then an A or K hits. You can let them make their continuation bet.

If I were playing against the same people all the time, I would make sure that it was very hard to tell the difference between the way I were playing AK or mid-high PP.

[1C5]

I raise AK all the time also. AQ I am not sure about though. Any ideas on playing AQ in the early rounds? (When to raise, call or fold?)

[microbet]

I'm just working these things out myself, as far as these no-limit SNGs go.

In late position in an unraised (or minraised) pot, I'll play AQ like AK.

LP, facing a raise I'll probably fold in the first few rounds. If the raise isn't too big, I'll call from the button or the blinds.

EP, I don't know what is right. I usually limp, but I really wouldn't be surprised if betting wasn't better.

Edit: There are definitely good players that limp AK from any position though. I think raptor does. I/we should reread his posts on the matter.

[1C5]

Yeah, I have only plyed 450 of these things so far so I have a lot to learn but I am trying. I am an old hand now. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]