My AK essay.

This is my framework for how to play AK in low stakes NL.
Comments/criticisms please.


AK/AKs

Raise preflop in all positions. Why?
To set up for a continuation bet. Aggression.
To limit the field.
To build the pot when I'm ahead.

Standard 4x/5x raise. Why?
Usually gets the right ammount of iscolation nessecery. ie. <4 to the flop.
Gets some money in the pot.

If reraised from behind

Hands which would reraise: AA,KK, AK,QQ, AQ, JJ. Only really worried about AA, KK (dominated)

Call if I'm getting 2 to 1 on the call. Why?
I hit the flop 32% of the time so I'm breakeven with at least 2 to 1 preflop call odds.

On flop:
IP:
I miss, opp checks I bet half the pot. Check/fold mode to a raise/call. If he bets into me I fold.
I hit, he checks to me I bet out, he bets at me I raise.

OOP:
I miss, check to him.
I hit, I bet out.


Without a solid read I always fold to a push behind my raise. This usually means AA KK.


Continuation Bets

Don't c-bet any flop with 4 people to the flop without being in last position. > 4 and I check it around.
Standard c-bet size is 50-60% the pot. 2/3 pot with 3 to the flop.
A call or raise means check fold mode.

Why? I'm keeping track of my continuation bets and they are showing a profit.


Someone standard raises in EP

Raise his raise regardless of position. Make it 3x his raise. Why?
Isolation
Set up for possible continuation bet.
Define his hand.

If he reraises or pushes I fold.
Unless I'm getting at least 3 to 1 on his push ie. tiny stack. Why?
50% chance I hit by the turn. 2/3 chance hitting will win it for me = 33% to win. I'm breakeven on this call with at least 3 to 1. This wont happen often.

If I raise him and he calls.
IP: he checks the flop I continuation bet 2/3 the pot.
OOP: Bet into him repping AA, KK.
A call or raise in both situations puts me in check/fold mode.

OOP:
I miss, check to him.

Seems a little weak to check/fold heads up? your hand may well still be the best.

I would always continuation head's up if i have raised preflop and I'm first to act. I dont have enough hands on Pokertracker to see whether this is profitable for me though. Into two opponents, I will probably check, dependent on the board and any reads.

I like the idea of this thread.

Instead of a guide for how to beat low limit holdem, let's start with how to win with AK.

nice.

-'rilla

I think that's a nice guide to playing AK. I also play AQ, AJ about the same way if I'm not reraised and I'm in position. However, I'm generally not calling all-ins with AK. I don't see QQ or worse shown down often enough.

Obviously reads change everything.

Good post. Wish I had seen it a year ago when I played AK like a donk.

Obviously, teh best way to play AK is push all-in preflop and hope no one calls. Hey, it worked for me and I'm the NL champ.

Originally Posted by Jimmy Mac

OOP:
I miss, check to him.

Seems a little weak to check/fold heads up? your hand may well still be the best.

I would always continuation head's up if i have raised preflop and I'm first to act. I dont have enough hands on Pokertracker to see whether this is profitable for me though. Into two opponents, I will probably check, dependent on the board and any reads.

The reason I have it like this is because I think there is only 2 really possible hands which would raise your raise preflop and which you could push out by betting into them. Those are AK and AQ. But there is 4 possible hands which you are behind. AA, KK, QQ, JJ. I think your leaking chips by betting into these hands. The only real reason I even call his raise preflop is because I'm getting odds to pair on the flop. If I don't pair I'm finished with the hand.

heh, sorry. I didn't realize this was just when you get reraised preflop. Your post is more or less the way I play AK/AKs.

This strategy guide is a great starting point, but I find that AK is entirely a read dependent hand. I've had people reraise my 4xBB bet with pocket 33's, KJs, etc...

Seems like anything goes at NL $10 and NL $25. Hands like AJ is gold to some of the donkey's there, they'll think nothing of reraising with it preflop. You can't assume that a reraise behind you is AA's or KK's. Just last night I had a guy reraise me when the A flopped, I knew he was a donk and put him all in. He had A9o.

However, to the other extreme, I folded AK when I hit top pair because of a raise and reraise in front of me. The reraiser had been very passive up till now... well the first guy had AQ but the passive guy had flopped his set.

Honestly I think AK, AQ, AJ are some of the trickiest hands to play at lower limits.

Originally Posted by thirteen

This strategy guide is a great starting point, but I find that AK is entirely a read dependent hand. I've had people reraise my 4xBB bet with pocket 33's, KJs, etc...

make a note, lead into those guys unimproved. Also add 'em to yr friends list. That's Terrible @^$%^ing Play.

I always keep in mind that everything here can change with a solid read.

Originally Posted by thirteen

This strategy guide is a great starting point, but I find that AK is entirely a read dependent hand. I've had people reraise my 4xBB bet with pocket 33's, KJs, etc...

Yea I've had this happen to me too but I don't think it happens often enough to change the strategy.

Originally Posted by LeFou

Originally Posted by thirteen

This strategy guide is a great starting point, but I find that AK is entirely a read dependent hand. I've had people reraise my 4xBB bet with pocket 33's, KJs, etc...

make a note, lead into those guys unimproved. Also add 'em to yr friends list. That's Terrible @^$%^ing Play.

I do bet into these types even if I miss on the flop. They're the same players that will reraise your flop bet telling you that you're beat.

Originally Posted by Irisheyes

I always keep in mind that everything here can change with a solid read.

Originally Posted by thirteen

This strategy guide is a great starting point, but I find that AK is entirely a read dependent hand. I've had people reraise my 4xBB bet with pocket 33's, KJs, etc...

Yea I've had this happen to me too but I don't think it happens often enough to change the strategy.

I'm playing NL $10 and $25 at pacific, it happens with extreme regularity there. Hell, I saw a guy call a pre-flop all-in raise war with QJo against two aggressors(they turned over QQ and AA). It's absurd, but it happens.

Originally Posted by Irisheyes

Originally Posted by Jimmy Mac

OOP:
I miss, check to him.

Seems a little weak to check/fold heads up? your hand may well still be the best.

I would always continuation head's up if i have raised preflop and I'm first to act. I dont have enough hands on Pokertracker to see whether this is profitable for me though. Into two opponents, I will probably check, dependent on the board and any reads.

The reason I have it like this is because I think there is only 2 really possible hands which would raise your raise preflop and which you could push out by betting into them. Those are AK and AQ. But there is 4 possible hands which you are behind. AA, KK, QQ, JJ. I think your leaking chips by betting into these hands. The only real reason I even call his raise preflop is because I'm getting odds to pair on the flop. If I don't pair I'm finished with the hand.

I still think you bet 1/2 pot here, otherwise you will see a raise every time. You may get some folds if they miss. If they just call, then you may hit the turn. If they reraise then you fold.