So I decided to embark on a new project to improve AK play. First some background, then the first HH for review.

From the reading that I have done (and experience), AK is notably tough to play in NL Cash, often resulting in small pot wins and big pot losses.

I intend to (over time) post a series of my personal HH along with my "amateur" analysis for review, critique and abuse .

My objective is to patch holes/leaks and show a marked improvement in performance over the long term. I also believe that this discussion will have benefits for the many other regular micro-grinders.

As background, I am a dedicated, educated and winning player (currently 5NL) who really wants to establish a scaleable game, improve and build a base for the long term.

Just for reference, here is my current baseline performance (AK and overall), I hope to come back at the end of the project and show improvement on the AK portion of it.

AK (AKo + AKs):
2NL (209 Hands): +$11.41 / +1.36BB per hand
5NL (84 Hands): -$5.06 / -0.60BB per hand

Overall Performance:
2NL (17.4k Hands): +$100, +14BB/100
5NL (6.6k Hands): +$66, +10BB/100

Would appreciate your thoughts, input, advice, counsel and patience, let's begin with our first hand....

-----------------------------------
Stats
MP3: 64/0/0.5 over 11 Hands
Button: 36/9/3 over 11 Hands
Both players pretty loose but no additional reads given short hand history

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($12.23)
UTG+1 ($6.34)
MP1 ($4.66)
MP2 ($6.44)
MP3 ($1.20)
CO ($10.50)
Button ($6.02)
Hero (SB) ($4.95)
BB ($13.79)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K, A
4 folds, MP3 calls $0.05, 1 fold, Button calls $0.05, Hero bets $0.30, 1 fold, MP3 calls $0.25, Button calls $0.25

Flop: ($0.95) 2, J, K (3 players)
Hero bets $0.80, MP3 raises to $0.90 (All-In), Button calls $0.90, Hero calls $0.10

Turn: ($3.65) 5 (3 players, 1 all-in)
Hero bets $1, Button raises to $4.82 (All-In), Hero calls $2.75 (All-In)

Analysis
Pre-Flop: Standard Raise (4x+2xLimpers)

Flop: Monotone Flop, put out good size raise for value against loose opponents. Call min-raise AI from MP, choose not to re-raise because stronger hands would call and weaker hands would fold

Turn: Here's where I get fuzzy... Decided to make a probe-bet, thinking in hindsight either a shove or check would likely have been better options.

Button Pushes, Tough decision, pot odds are good (getting 3:1), beat by made flush / 2 pair / sets, good equity against drawing flushes, possible lower TP given loose opponents. Thought hard and decided to call.

Thoughts on line, flop bet, options on the turn and the call/fold decision as played?

If we check turn, do we call a push?

Thanks everyone in advance, I look forward to good discussion!!