Playing AKo on a missed flop

[Jellyroll]

Hey all,

I'm having some troubles playing some hands like AK, AQ, AJ on a missed flop. Specifically, when people show agression toward me short handed. To give an example:

10 Player $3/6:

Preflop:
Hero raises first in MP with Ac, Kd
All fold to BB who calls

Flop: [Tc, 8d, 2s]
BB bets... Hero ??

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I realize a lot depends on the opponent, but without any reads, what would your default line be?

I have three conflicting strategies:

a) Call the flop bet, check/fold the turn unimproved

b) Raise the flop bet, bet the turn, and check the river unimproved.

This would include calling a flop bettor's 3-bet and check/folding the turn unimproved (if they keep playing back at me)

Anyone take a free card on the turn? I seem to get bet into here on the river whenever I take a free card. I think a thinking player might take a shot no matter what they have here.



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I feel like "B" is a more agressive approach. But at the same time, when I try it it seems like I'm just spewing chips. I'm almost always beat. The pot is somewhat small and I'd rather not get too invested in it. Although, I also don't want to be known as a pushover.

Can someone offer some advice to playing ace high weak draws when the pot is short handed and you're bet into?

Thanks

JellyRoll

[Fat Nicky]

how about just folding the flop because the pot isn't big enough to be worth fighting over with raises and bets and no pair??? certainly don't like raising. calling a flop bet and folding to another bet on the turn is ok as well. but raising is the worst choice of the 3, IMO.

[buhler26]

Often times, especially against players who you don't think will fold a hand, I like raising the flop, hopefully earning a free card and checking the turn. It gives away your hand, but I think the free card to improve with up to 6 outs is worth it. Obviously, reads on the opponent and the nature of the board should all be considered.

[spydog]

If you plan on showing this one down, then call the flop and raise any turn with the intention of checking behind on the river. This could get him to fold a crappy 8 or pocket pairs <TT. If he 3-bets the turn, lay it down. Calling down doesn't get you this fold equity. Plus, if you spike a K or A or backdoor straight, then you will get an extra bet out of Tx.

If you don't intend to show down, then just call the flop and fold the turn unimproved.

[Fat Nicky]

[ QUOTE ]
If you plan on showing this one down, then call the flop and raise any turn with the intention of checking behind on the river.

[/ QUOTE ]

With this approach, you are putting in too many bets to win a tiny pot with no pair.

[jackdaniels]

I definetly raise his flop bet - basically a test to see if you are on overcards (he doesn't need to have a hand here to do this). If I get 3 bet, I may lay down right away as my A out could be spoiled (reverse dominated by A10/A8). If he just calls and a scare card falls on turn (i.e. - ANY card higher that the flop) - he checks I bet, he bets, I fold. Fold the river to any bet if called on turn (unless you improve) and definetly check behind if he checks as he isn't laying down a pair and any draw (str8?) will have lower cards than my AK - so you win anyway.

[rmarotti]

Why do you think hero doesn't have the best hand here?

[Fat Nicky]

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you think hero doesn't have the best hand here?

[/ QUOTE ]

BB saw hero raise pre-flop, then bet into hero on the flop. I'm not saying that BB definitly has a pair here, we could still be behind. My point is, why put it bets and raises in such a small pot?

[SinCityGuy]

You shouldn't be taking a formulatic approach with these types of hands. Mix it up. Sometimes, you should just call with AK when you miss the flop and they bet into you. Depending on the texture of the board, sometimes you should fold. Sometimes, you should raise. If you also do the same thing with AA and KK when they bet into you on the flop (just call, then raise the turn), you'll be much harder to read.

[chief444]

Plus, if you're against one pair which is most likely, there isn't really a huge EV difference between the three options if the raise does get you a free card.