maniac with AK, worth going allin?

If you had a really really crazy image on your table, would you be willing to put all your chips in preflop with AK against a player who was 'out to get you' in a ring game???

I never can really gauge AK as a starting hand. I know how to play many starting hands but AK is always a tough one. I guess I dont know really how good it is

I'd raise big preflop, but All-In is risky.

It depends, but i know that i've put maniacs allin preflop with stuff as bad as AJo, although he called me with 53o, so the range of hands was definately there.

If you've got him on tilt and you have a really maniacal image then i'd probably be willing to go allin preflop with it. When i make moves like this its not so much about my image, it is more about whether the player is on tilt or not.

If the guy who pushes is visibly aggravated by your style of play I'd do it without hesitation.

Yes, this is text book.

-'rilla

i dunno, do you really think someone would push with AQ or AJ? its probably a coinflip and although i doubt youre ahead at all, its definitely worth it to keep up table image.

I'd go in and expect to see a pocket pair, but probably not AA or KK so I think you'd be ok. journey, I think it's reasonable that someone would push against a maniac with AQ, it's a good hand if you're under the impression that the maniac is playing just about anything.

I think the opponent would be really surprised when you flipped AK.

Originally Posted by journey075

i dunno, do you really think someone would push with AQ or AJ? its probably a coinflip and although i doubt youre ahead at all, its definitely worth it to keep up table image.

exactly what i was thinking...i'm not sure its so 'textbook' or not mr. gorilla.

Originally Posted by homerdash

I'd go in and expect to see a pocket pair, but probably not AA or KK so I think you'd be ok. journey, I think it's reasonable that someone would push against a maniac with AQ, it's a good hand if you're under the impression that the maniac is playing just about anything.

I think the opponent would be really surprised when you flipped AK.

if i was playing against a maniac opp, id lower my starting hand requirements to the point where id push Js preflop, but never AQ. if your opp is pushing AQ preflop hes probably on tilt.