I'm hating AK - normal?

[ponyboy]

In the past two days I have had AK a total of five times. Every time after raising strong preflop the flop comes and they have been crap. I need suggestions on playing this hand post flop when the flop is crap.

I'm beginning to wonder why people think this hand is so strong. Five times out of five someone else has flopped a set, two pair or a straight and bluffing them doesn't wash. It's beginning to be an expensive hand for me.

[Theeggman]

I just remember that the flop I want with this hand is TPTK, or top two pair. If I hit, I bet out at least 1/2 the pot if - not the pot - b/c I'm almost sure that I've got the best hand. If someone comes back at me I have to reassess the hand relative to the board. If there's aggression before or after me when I don't hit I just let it go. I don't chase str8 draws with it because they're always gutshot str8 draws. If they're s00ted then I play it accordingly. Hope it helps but that's how I view big slick and it seems profitable for me. Oh, and I will make sure I raise the pot PF if it isn't already raised to let people know that I've got the best hand going in. Just me tho.

[ponyboy]

Just happened again. First round of an SNG tourney so no reads on anyone, but no reads on me either.

Dealt AK. Raised 8x BB preflop. Two callers. Flop comes K A 6 rainbow. I make pot sized bet. One caller. Turn is a 4. Pushed. Guy calls my all in and turns over pocket sixes.

Unreal. I'm totally scared of AK now.

[Theeggman]

Sorry bout that. If this is me (not an expert) I love the flop and think I've got the nuts. When I get a caller to my 500+ flop bet I might get a bit suspicious but at my stakes I still think it's just a fish with Ax. Turn comes blank - I don't know if I push there, but I might depending on where I am in relation to the money. You ran into trips. When you hold a PP and flop trips you love being up against someone who hit 2 pair b/c your hand is virtually unreadable and they will pay you off. You were just on the other end of it this time. So, sorry about your experience with AK but it's bound to turn around for you.

[evman150]

AK when I miss:

Flop - Take a shot at the pot.
Turn - If I read weakness I'll take another shot but 80% of the time I'll give it up and check/fold.

[whileone]

Yes, it's normal to hate it. you will win and loose a lot of money with AK. it takes some time to figure out when you're in trouble, It takes some time to figure out how much to bet. It takes some time to figure out what a call means from a particular player. stick to 1/2 to pot sized bets, it'll come together for you.

[™]

No way, AK is much better than AA or KK. Because its easier to play. Regardless of what flops its hard to get away from AA or KK so you could lose a good amount when someone else hits big, but with AK you know if youve hit it or not.

[face]

No way, AK is much better than AA or KK. Because its easier to play. Regardless of what flops its hard to get away from AA or KK so you could lose a good amount when someone else hits big, but with AK you know if youve hit it or not.

Please attribute your quotes. This is straight from SuperSystem by Doyle Brunson, and is one of the more controversial points in his NL section. If you play all hands well (don't get irrationally attached to big pairs), AA or KK seem to be clearly preferable holdings. That said, I and many of us tend to win small pots and lose big ones with AA and KK, as there aren't that many really good second-best hands if you don't make a set with your pocket pair which will pay you off. Purely from an EV point of view, however, AA > AK.

[Yeldud]

Just happened again. First round of an SNG tourney so no reads on anyone, but no reads on me either.

Dealt AK. Raised 8x BB preflop. Two callers. Flop comes K A 6 rainbow. I make pot sized bet. One caller. Turn is a 4. Pushed. Guy calls my all in and turns over pocket sixes.

Unreal. I'm totally scared of AK now.

This is a bad beat, they happen. Sets are very difficult to get reads on.

AK is difficult to play because many people treat it as a made hand, which it is not. Personally, I think it is the most over valued hand in poker.

If I hit the flop, I will play accordingly. If I miss, I will try to take it down with a semi bluff and if this does not work, look to get rid of it on the turn.

Regards

[Eric]

AK is more of a drawing hand than KK or AA so it is true that you can get away from it easily. Another nice thing about it is that it can give you the nut flush.