AK -
Big Slick - is a premium Texas Holdem hand, I look to raise it in every position. In this particular example, I am seated in middle position, the pot is unraised by the time it reaches me, with one limper, and I raise the bet to $2.00. This is pretty standard. The player on the button raises another $2.50 and is all-in. This is not too concerning and I am planning to call this raise, however, the big blind player then re-raises another 2.50. AK is a strong hand, but I know the player on the big blind is conservative, and has not been involved with many hands. On this particular hand, the pot was raised by me, then reraised by the button, and now he has re-raised it again. The tight player's re-raise means he wants more of my money. He only raised the minimum amount, so he was not trying to isolate himself and the
all-in player, he clearly wants me to contribute more to the pot... and two raises was not enough for him. Now I am worried.
AKo is listed in my Group 2 starting hands. I am a very slight
underdog (coin flip) against any pocket pair,
dominated by AA or KK, and
dominant over AQ, AJ, etc. However, I do not believe the
tight player re-raised a raised pot with AQ or AJ.
So, I believe he has a pocket
pair, and a very high one at that, which at best, I'm a slight
underdog.
I decide not to gamble, and
lay down my AK.
AK is strong, and I rarely lay it down, but knowing your opponent and sensing when you're beat is something I
pay close attention to. I'd rather play it safe and lose my $2 than risk my entire chip
stack. AK is vulnerable, it is
still a drawing hand, so play it strongly, but beware of your opponents and the
action. It is not, by any means,
a sure thing.
Check out the hand below:
***** Hand History for Game XXXX *****
0/0 TexasHTGameTable (NL) - Sun Mar 21 14:58:03 EST 2004
Table Bed of Roses (Real Money) -- Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: Player1 ( $4.43)
Seat 2: Player2 ( $26.40)
Seat 3: Player3 ( $29.32)
Seat 4: Player4 ( $36.55)
Seat 5: Player5 ( $24)
Seat 6: Player6 ( $17.50)
Seat 7: FlopTurnRiver ( $49.05)
Seat 8: Player8 ( $16.65)
Seat 9: Player9 ( $83.75)
Seat 10: Player10 ( $21.65)
Player2 posts small blind (0.25)
Player3 posts big blind (0.50)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to FlopTurnRiver [ Kd, As ]
Player4 folds.
Player5 calls (0.50)
Player6 folds.
FlopTurnRiver raises (2) to 2
Player8 folds.
Player9 folds.
Player10 folds.
Player1 raises (4.43) to 4.43
Player1 is all-In.
Player2 folds.
Player3 raises (6.36) to 6.86
Player5 folds.
FlopTurnRiver folds.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 8d, 3d, 4c ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2h ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 8s ]
Creating Main Pot with $11.61 with Player1
** Summary **
Main Pot: $11.61 | Side Pot 1: $2.43 | Rake: $0
Board: [ 8d 3d 4c 2h 8s ]
Player1 balance $0, lost $4.43 [ 3c 2c ] [ two pairs, eights and threes -- 8d,8s,4c,3c,3d ]
Player2 balance $26.15, lost $0.25 (folded)
Player3 balance $36.50, bet $6.86, collected $14.04, net +$7.18 [ Ad Ac ] [ two pairs, aces and eights -- Ad,Ac,8d,8s,4c ]
Player4 balance $36.55, didn't bet (folded)
Player5 balance $23.50, lost $0.50 (folded)
Player6 balance $17.50, didn't bet (folded)
FlopTurnRiver balance $47.05, lost $2 (folded)
Player8 balance $16.65, didn't bet (folded)
Player9 balance $83.75, didn't bet (folded)
Player10 balance $21.65, didn't bet (folded)
