Quote Originally Posted by Rondavu
These are my two least favorite plays....

1. I raise AK with 4 limpers before me seeking isolation, and some guy with a very healthy stack and no reason for a desperation move goes all in with 44 or QJo. Your stack is high enough to severly cripple him. You can't call him because you fear AA or KK and it would eliminate you, but you sure want to introduce the guys head to friendly blunt objects.

2. People who limp KK and AA with 4 or more people in hand. I can see it with 2 or 3, but when your in a five handed limp pot, the last thing you expect is some jerk limping AA and dangerously risking a suckout to be cute. When are people going to learn about leveraging high pocket pairs with isolation? I've been cleaned out a couple times on this, but I've seen them get beat even more. It just sucks being on the ground when that hammer peeks out of the dark.
Re 1:
I understand where you are coming from, but in that situation I would probably go all in with AK, especially if suited. If he has KK you can still outdraw him, and even with AA you might hit a straight or a flush, alveit somewhat luckily. It's one of those situations where, if he has the monster, you've just got to lose your chips, but the chances are you are ahead pre-flop or are a 6/5 dog at worst.

Re 2:
Yes, it's frustrating losing to someone who plays AA or KK like that, but more often than not they will be outdrawn, often by a lowly two pair (someone playing 65s, say). Of course it is the wrong play and they will have difficulty releasing the hand when someone hits. Limping with KK is suicidal, as if an A flops, they are in big trouble. But often they won't let it go and so if you are holding an A you will get paid.