questions about strategy when hitting top pair

I have a question about strategy when hitting top pair. I'm not sure I'm playing these scenarios properly(i suspect many other novices are also misplaying these) and I'd like some advice. While there are many different scenarios in which you can have top pair, I'll setup one hypothetical one to get the conversation going and I hope others will add their own in this thread.

Ok, Let's take the following situation as an example:

I'm in late position with AK, I raise 4xbb after three limpers, two of the limpers call and we go to the flop with three people still in the hand. Now say I hit my ace or my king for TPTK on an uncoordinated board. What are my moves if:

A) Someone opens the pot for a decent size bet, say 2/3's of the flop?

B) Someone opens with 1/2 pot or less.

C)It's checked to me.


Currently I would do the following:

A) in this situation I'd raise to see were I stand and possibly take down the pot. A smooth call or reraise could mean a set or two pair. However at NL $10 it could be a fish with Ax. I'm likely to let the hand go to a big reraise, I'll may check the turn if I get a smooth call but I may also aggressively bet if no scare card falls.

B)Again I reraise for information or to take down the hand. I play it pretty much the same as described in 'A'

C) I make a pot sized bet and usually take down the pot right there. A call or reraise likely means strength and I look to get away from the hand depending on what the opponent does on the turn.

Also, how would this change if I was head's up on the flop? Should I bet for value and try to keep my opponent in the hand? Or make a pot sized bet? Usually I play it the same as I described above.

You have the right idea. When in doubt raise for info. Calling is weak. Make your opponent define their hand. This is the mark of a professional. Keep up the good work.

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and this is excatly why I raise sets with a 2/3 pot bet on the flop when im outta pos vs a preflop raiser.

Yea I play all 3 situations pretty much the same. Betting for info.

These 3 are the most likely situations I can think of too.

I play it the same heads up to the flop. Always playing aggro. I wont really try and keep the other guy in the hand and run the risk of him hitting his 2 pair on later streets.

Rippy's got it covered

Well since many players will slowplay a set, most bets on the flop mean they have a pair, and in your case they probably have top pair with a worse kicker, if not two pair. Smooth calling TPTK is a disaster, so you always want to raise to see where you are at this point. When it's checked to you, of course you make a bet. It should be at least pot-sized to make people with middle or bottom pair fold.

While the responses to this point are completely correct (you must raise for information here). You are forgetting one major question: What type of players am I up against?