AK-raise-called-bad flop-bet-called-then what?

I never seem to get a good grip on AK and similar hands like AQ.
Sometimes I just limp to avoid trouble, but most of the time I will raise
2-3$ in a 0.25/0.5$ NL game. Then when getting called if the flop gives high pair, it's easy. But what is a good tactic when the flop fails you?
Often I will bet the same amount again (2-3$) or even increase to about 5$ to bluff a high pair or a hit. Then if I get called again I need to get out right? But how? Just check and give away the bluff? Or should I check the flop and fold? Good advice needed

My standard raise in .25/.5 was to 1.75. Decreasing to this and then following up with around the same on the flop should be sufficient to take it if someone has nothing (and doesn't think you bluff all the time). If you get called and nothing develops the turn is a check/fold unless I have a solid read telling me otherwise. Yes, it gives away the bluff (and you might want to skip following up a missed flop with a bet the next couple of times), but it's better than pouring more money into a losing hand when your opponent has already shown that they will call you.

- Jeffrey

Thanks, I'll try your way and see

I just made a post a few lines below this one you fucker...but basically they gave the same advice. Im pretty much sick of AK - its a good hand and all but Im just not sure if it nets more profit than the preflop raises account for...

Bet 2/3-3/4 of the pot when you miss. If you're raised, fold, and if you're called, check/fold it down unless you spike one of your overs or have good reason to believe you can fold out the other guy.

Well-sorry SmackinYaUp, I did not read your post
Seems like we have the same problem.
Actually I think I am doing better with Axs than with AK.
The Axs flush trap is great and often cheap to set while the AK cost me way too much. But as said above, maybe I bet too much preflop.

Last night I lost bad three times in 15 minutes with AK (and then two times with JJ... )

BTW, to back up the advice I said up there, here are the numbers for my AK history:

AKs: had it 18 times (of 7500 hands); won 88%; net $42.15; avg/hand $2.34
AKo: had it 53 times (of 7500 hands); won 68%; net $64.82; avg/hand $1.22

I almost never re-raise preflop with either (unless it was a min-raise and I want to limit the field). I call most reasonable single raises; fold if it's been raised and reraised in front of me. Also, note: whatever I raise postflop with this is exactly the same thing I'll raise post flop if I hit, and it follows what I've been doing at that table.

Yea, AK might get a little easier to play on party poker's lower blinds now that a potsized bet isnt $900 at the $25NL buyin tables...

Ive really given up on AK except for tiny pots. I dont get excited when I see it I just put in the obligatory raise and follow up. If I am out of position I usually just give up on it or put in a 2/3 bet if the pot is small.

Thats funny just as I am here hating on AK it goes and wins me about $15 or $20 total in 2 hands...but still..

first things first, look where you are position wise when you raise preflop, position makes a huge difference. Always raise the same amount, unless your changing gears and want to mix things up, otherwise stay the same either bet 3xbb or 4xbb for everything you raise, there is a psychological reasoning for this, its almost like your imprinting it on someones head that you raise this much and it means you have a hand.

Now onto post flop, look at the flop when it comes up, what are your opponents most likely to call with, if a JQKA, one of those comes on the flop bet, always bet, bet the same as you did preflop. Or if you are in early position check and see if anyone else bets, if they bet, raise or call, or fold. I usually tend to call with a missed flop and see what the turn or river brings, usually i have the intention to try and steal the pot from the post flop bettor. Take for instance, you have flopped the nuts full house you have AA and the flop comes AKK, you try to bet an amount you know your opponents will call, well its the exact opposite when you raise preflop and miss, try to think of an amount you do not think your opponents will not call. Or if you feel they wont go away fold, always look for options to take down the pot.