AK vs shortstack awkward stack size

[fourthings]

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Full Tilt Converter Tool

Button ($5)
SB ($5.20)
Hero (BB) ($5.87)
UTG ($1.91)
MP ($1.99)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Kd, As
UTG calls $0.05, 1 fold, Button bets $0.15, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.55, UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($1.27) 5h, 8s, 4d (2 players)
Hero ???

UTG is an unknown, i've been at the table for a while, but he was sitting out, he had $2 behind when he came back, but he played pretty passive, limp-calling oop preflop then folding on the flop, checked a lot, and seldom bet. He seemed loose-passive for the most part, seeing lots of flops, calling a lot preflop, but checking and folding otherwise.

Preflop: {22+, all broadways, connectors, semi-connectors, Axs, A7+} I had trouble putting him on a range preflop, but just based on my loose passive read this is what i came up with

Flop: This is where I had trouble. The pot is 1.27, and UTG has 1.37. Any regular sized c-bet and I'm committed to a reraise (in which case I'm probably behind) An all-in size bet and he'll only call with hands that have me beat. A small c-bet he'll call with his draws. So would I check here and hope for a check behind???

[couriermike]

In these spots, where villain is so short and you've repped alot of strength preflop, I'd just shove expecting to get alot of folds. I think he's gonna fold often enough to make the shove +EV even when he calls and you only have 6 outs. If I did it right, it's breakeven when he folds 20% of the time and you have way more FE than that.

[Razvan729]

i see you have no reads on UTG. in my 5nl experience, when a shortstacker limps then call a 3bet, he is pretty much on low PP and low connectors, not neceserally suited ones. this flop pretty much hits his range ...
his range pre , from i have seen these guys play like this is 22-99, 34-9T, Axs preflop, .... and he would call his all range here to a shove.

may be wrong, but i would c/f a big bet and c/c a small bet. c/f any blank turn for you

[PlayToWin]

Preflop: {22+, all broadways, connectors, semi-connectors, Axs, A7+} I had trouble putting him on a range preflop, but just based on my loose passive read this is what i came up with

Sure, he's loose preflop and calls a lot, but does he also call 3bets a lot? Calling your 3bet should significantly narrow his range. Something like 22+, KQ+, AQ+.

Flop: This is where I had trouble. The pot is 1.27, and UTG has 1.37. Any regular sized c-bet and I'm committed to a reraise (in which case I'm probably behind) An all-in size bet and he'll only call with hands that have me beat. A small c-bet he'll call with his draws. So would I check here and hope for a check behind???

Typically, a low board like this is not great to bluff cbet since villian could easily have a overpair that he won't fold. It's a rainbow flop, so what draws are you worried about? The small stack does suck but since he is passive, I'd probably do a standard cbet and try to get him to fold. He may be bad enough that he hasn't considered his stack size. But yea, I think you're committed to the pot at that point, but you have outs. C/F to a shove is another option. If he's passive, he's less likely to bluff.

[fourthings]

Sure, he's loose preflop and calls a lot, but does he also call 3bets a lot? Calling your 3bet should significantly narrow his range. Something like 22+, KQ+, AQ+.

Typically, a low board like this is not great to bluff cbet since villian could easily have a overpair that he won't fold. It's a rainbow flop, so what draws are you worried about? ...

I remember I put him on a wide range even after he called the 3-bet. But I don't remember exactly why (this hand and some others happened during a busy week of midterms, so I couldn't post it right away, just jotted down the hand#s). I just remember he was sitting out when I sat in... He sat back in and played very passive limp-calling a few times, then this hand happened. Maybe he limp-called some 3-bets?? I don't remember =/. Judging from EXPLICITLY what I posted though I can see where you're coming from about his range narrowing. (NOTE TO SELF: write notes about a hand, no matter how seemingly insignificant, that you cannot post immediately, but plan to in the near future)... lesson learned.

As for the draws I'm mostly thinking of gutshot-pair type hands. 87, 65, 66, 77. I should have clarified. Thanks for the response!

[PlayToWin]

As for the draws I'm mostly thinking of gutshot-pair type hands. 87, 65, 66, 77. I should have clarified. Thanks for the response!

I'd probably take out the 87, 65 hads since you 3bet, but he could defiitely have the gssd.