Open pushing in later stages

[elmitchbo]

that line is a scared, weak play. it sounds like you're afraid of the boogeyman behind his cards.

pushing AK there puts your risk/reward all out of whack. why push to win a tiny pot when the only hands that are going to call you are a favorite? most of the time it works, because no one has a hand so you win a small pot, when some one does have a hand you're flipping at best.

making a raise with AK when you're M is 20(blinds going up shouldn't be a huge factor in your decision, your M is still 20) puts your risk/reward back where you want it. if things go wrong you loose alot less, and when things go right you win alot more.

when i have AK i don't think about having to make a crying continuation bet when i miss. all i'm thinking is "i have the best hand here, and i'm going to win far more often than not regardless of what cards come."

when i'm raising with J9o it's a little different. i'm thinking "i may or may not have the best hand here, but if i'm playing the hand i can find a way to win the pot."

no monsters under the bed... just good, strong, confident poker.