Question on PF with the high nature of the rake

[Jinx]

I played some 4/8 limit, and the blind structure was to take the big blind. Let's say you're in a 9 handed game, and you're dealt AK in the button. Everyone folds to you, and the blinds are semi loose. Do you raise, call, or fold here? Is folding really that bad considering the horrible pot odds you're getting?

[The Armchair]

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Is folding really that bad considering the horrible pot odds you're getting?

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What does that mean?

Anyway....

The right move is to raise, but if you can't see why, reconceptualize the situation.

You are playing 4/8 three-way, but instead of the regular blind structure, the dealer opens the betting, the second person to act is already in for $2, and the third person to act gets to see a flop for free absent a raise (that is, the first $4 of his bet is covered).

You have AK. You're not going to fold because it makes no sense to fold what is probably the best hand. If you are folding AK here, what _are_ you playing?

Calling makes no sense either, because you are putting in $4 to win $2 (so you'll have to win two-thirds of the time) and you are guaranteed to see a flop versus the guy who, effectively, is getting comped $4. In fact, calling is rather close to idiotic.

So, you raise.

[Jinx]

If you raise and the SB folds, aren't you paying 8 dollars to win 6 dollars, which is only slightly better than paying 4 dollars to win 2 dollars. And unless you're playing a dominated hand, AKo isn't a huge favorite over even 2 random cards.

[The Armchair]

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If you raise and the SB folds, aren't you paying 8 dollars to win 6 dollars, which is only slightly better than paying 4 dollars to win 2 dollars. And unless you're playing a dominated hand, AKo isn't a huge favorite over even 2 random cards.

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RAISE
You raise, SB folds, BB calls = risk 8 to win 6, and you are probably ahead. Probably close to break-even if you check it down afterward. Slightly +EV.
You raise, SB folds, BB calls = win 2. +EV

CALL
You call, SB folds, BB checks = risk 4 to win 2, with no chance of a fold. Slightly +EV.

It's really not close.

[CamelZoo]

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If you raise and the SB folds, aren't you paying 8 dollars to win 6 dollars, which is only slightly better than paying 4 dollars to win 2 dollars. And unless you're playing a dominated hand, AKo is a significant favorite over even 2 random cards.

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