AK Review

[flopmonkey]

Did I do this correctly? Or should have I bet 1/2 pot on the river? Im struggling with playing these premium hands.


Full Tilt Pot-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($6.80)
BB ($6.63)
UTG ($3.07)
UTG+1 ($11.65)
MP1 ($17.44)
Hero (MP2) ($6.55)
CO ($6.40)
Button ($3.85)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with A, K
UTG calls $0.10, UTG+1 calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero bets $0.20, 3 folds, BB calls $0.10, UTG calls $0.10, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.75) 9, 5, 10 (3 players)
BB checks, UTG bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold

Turn: ($0.95) 10 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10

River: ($1.15) A (2 players)
UTG bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.20, UTG calls $0.10

Total pot: $1.55 | Rake: $0.10

Results below:
UTG had 4, K (one pair, tens).
Hero had A, K (two pair, Aces and tens).
Outcome: Hero won $1.45

[LawDude]

Well, first of all this is a pot limit hand, so you probably should post this in the Beginner's Circle (i.e., no limit) to get the best feedback.

Second, you need to try and post any reads based on prior observation of these players. It's very important that we know something about these guys.

Third, you need to work on bet-sizing. An ideal pre-flop raise in NL is 3xBB + 1BB for each limper. In pot limit, you need to bet the pot pre-flop because your AK does not play very well multi-way (and this hand is an example of this). You want to fold players out or charge them to come into the hand.

Now, on the flop, absent reads, you have to think about what UTG may be donking with here. Since it's micro-stakes, the range is wide-- it could be any pair, or maybe a straight draw or overcards; possibly a set or 2 pair as well. Because he's betting so little, it's an easy call.

The second barrel on the turn probably tilts his range towards made hands rather than draws or overcards. But again, because he's betting so little, it's an easy call.

The river, I would just call this because I have a hand with showdown value and I don't want to get re-raised by a ten (which falls squarely in UTG's range). But if you are going to raise, your raise is all wrong. Min-betting in pot limit or no limit (as this guy is doing) is very, very bad, because you both get no value when you are winning and get no fold equity when you are losing. The pot size is $1.25 when it comes to you. You should consider betting about 2/3rds of the pot if you feel you are ahead and want to raise-- 85 cents or so.

Now go post this in no limit and see if they agree with me.