Originally Posted by BreakfastMan

It might help to think of four reasons to raise when you have a decision to make:

1) Raise to build the pot
2) Raise for isolation
3) Raise to define opponent’s range of hands
4) Raise for deception

When would you do each of the above? I might want to build the pot if I believe I have the best hand at the moment.

I might want isolation if I hand a strong hand that doesn't play well against many players

I might raise to define a players holdings, if they were the right type of player (you don't get much info from a calling station.)

Sometimes you might raise for deception (blinds steels, etc.)
I would think of these and see if you want to raise AK on the button (you want to raise.)

Originally Posted by EricE

If I held AK, on the button and nobody had entered the pot I would likely call to keep from folding them out.

Originally Posted by EricE

Hehe, I see what your saying but winning a SB and a BB just isn’t worth it. Hmmm. Point taken though. If I don’t bet it I run the risk of losing $, whereas if I bet I either win the SB and the BB or at least I have a better chance of winning if someone calls with a decent hand. I see.