playing AK

Hi, I ve not been playing cash since a long time, but with the help FTR i start to see some improvements. I was looking at my stats and i saw that my biggest leak is playing AK in the blinds or out of position when i don t hit.
Any suggestion on how to hadle this situations??
thanks again

Well, I think it depends what level your playing. The biggest problem with AK is that the more hands are in, the chance that AK will lose gets much more bigger than other good cards.

So I can't give you any more advice than what you already know. Just always raise about 4-5xbb preflop. You can also try a c-bet if you are first to call. I prefer c-bets if I missed the flop with good cards like AK. I normally make it 1/2 the pot. if called I can c/f the turn if nothing turned for me. if raised I can easily fold.

Do you play SH?

I've been working on my AK play and condensed the following from Doyle Brunson's Super System:

Post Flop

-- If the flop misses
OOP: C-bet if you opened and board is not dangerous.
Check if you called preflop.
Fold to any action
IP: Fold to a bet, or check behind - don't bet

--Flopped gutshot+overs draw
Call one flop bet looking for straight. If A or K hits, be careful as opp may have hit straight or 2 pair

--If the flop hits
OOP: Lead bet. Consider check/raise if you called a reraise preflop.
IP: Lead bet, raise a bettor

Note: If you get played back at, and the flop looks like opp may be on a draw, push. If it is a dry board like K 9 4 rainbow, consider folding to the set possibility

--If flop gives you trips (AAx or KKx) or two pair (AKx)
Play fast, bet
Unconnected board, last to act, sometimes check behind and give opp free card

--Flopped nut straight
Overbet pot looking for opp wtih trips or 2 pair to push
If you had called raiser preflop, reraise if opp bets rather than smooth call

--Flopped AKs flush draw or flopped flush
Play fast, Bet

I came looking for an AK post so I could ask a question too.

Scenario:
Hero is UTG+1
Dealt to Hero
:As: :Kh:

UTG folds
Hero raises to 3.5xBB
4 folds
CO calls 3.5xBB
3 folds

***FLOP***
:Jd:
(Pot = 8.5xBB)

Hero checks
CO bets 5xBB

Hero?

**********
Normally I just fold here and move on. Calling is bad. However, I've been drilling on this using Poker Academy Pro, and the advisor feature keeps calling for a bluff (semi-bluff?) reraise here. Is it a good semi-bluff with the 6 potential outs with the overs? Seems expensive to me and I would think I want a pretty good read on my opponents c-betting tendencies. Anyone use this line?

why did you check the flop when you were the raiser? I c/bet the flop then re-evaluate on the turn.

Originally Posted by litetruck

why did you check the flop when you were the raiser?

Against players that don't suck, c-betting too often gets punished.

Originally Posted by Fnord

Originally Posted by litetruck

why did you check the flop when you were the raiser?

Against players that don't suck, c-betting too often gets punished.

This is true. I did set up my example wrong, tho. Put me in the BB calling a MP raiser. I act first post flop and check, he bets (possible c-bet), and I either fold or semi-bluff check/raise...

I guess what I'm asking is if the C/R move is OK if I don't overuse it?

Originally Posted by cobere

Originally Posted by Fnord

Originally Posted by litetruck

why did you check the flop when you were the raiser?

Against players that don't suck, c-betting too often gets punished.

This is true. I did set up my example wrong, tho. Put me in the BB calling a MP raiser. I act first post flop and check, he bets (possible c-bet), and I either fold or semi-bluff check/raise...

I guess what I'm asking is if the C/R move is OK if I don't overuse it?

yes, c/r is good if you don't abuse it. a c/r on your board should be pretty friggin scary to villain.