The AK turn spot

[Steve Giufre]

Party Poker 50/100 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
<font color="#CC3333">UTG raises</font>, <font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero 3-bets</font>, <font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, UTG calls.

Flop: (7.50 SB) 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
UTG checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, UTG calls.

Turn: (4.75 BB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
UTG checks, Hero checks.

River: (4.75 BB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
UTG checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, UTG calls.

Final Pot: 6.75 BB

OK, I want to give some quick thoughts first cause there is only one thing I find mildy interesting about this hand. Its a typical turn spot where you can either bet the turn, and decide whether or not there is any value to bet the river or you can check the turn, and call a bet or usually bet when checked to.

My default here is to bet the turn, and usually check behind the river, although there are certainly players I would still value bet on the end had I put the turn bet in. But, I was thinking that when the raise comes from very early position, and the player in question doesnt have a range that is real big, it might be better to check behind. The reason being that if you arnt already behind to a a pair, then he probably also had an ace in his hand, giving him only 3 outs. Also, if he isnt a total calling staion, you'll usually get another bet because he will either fire the river or pay off with a worse ace high.

When the open raise comes from later position, or its just a guy who has a very big range, I think checking the turn is a very big mistake, since he can now have a lot of 6 out hands, 109, QJ, etc. Also your hand is just so likely to be best on a ragged flop, doing anything other betting would be bad. Keep in mind that I'm not talking about players who will call all three bets with A10 AJ type hands, its obvious that betting the turn is best agaist those types of opponents. Maybe this position thing is really obvious, I think its one of those things I probably think about subconsciously when Im playing without really realizing it. Just wanted to bring it up because besides the raisers postflop tendancies, its the other thing that helps me decide when I want to bet and when I want to check behind.