interesting ak hand at $30 mtt

[aces ride 0]

down to final table in the party $30 99 person MTT, 8 people left, blinds at 400/800. average stack i sabout 10k i just doubled up on a big hand to get to 15k. picked up ace king off in on the button. Chip leader (24k)raises utg from 800 to 2k. Wondering what you guys would do in this situation.call to see a flopreraise to 8kreraise all infold???????

[PoppinFresh 0]

Re-raise. I'm not sure what makes this more interesting than any other AK facing a raise hand though.

[Pupsta 0]

raise allin.

[Longshanks 0]

raise allin.

you should try this, i wouldent because i always lose with AK being aggressive

[Pupsta 0]

raise allin.

you should try this, i wouldent because i always lose with AK being aggressive

so flatcalling a just-over-min raise is correct?you can't raise any other amount without risking more than 1/4 of your chips while still having fold equity, so if you're going to raise, push it in.

[celtic020 0]

easy decision assuming you dont have a strong read that he as AA. But then again, how good are all of us to put someone exactly on AA or possibly KK? Push it in.

[nutzbuster 7]

Depends on how good your read is for your opponents betting tendencies. What kind of a player was this guy?I'd probably smooth call here to be honest, since you had position.Best...

[VegasBone 0]

I would raise to 8,000 pre flop. If you get called I would move the rest of the way in no matter what happens on the flop if you are checked into.If you raised 8K and got re raised to put you all in...I would pretend I'm thinking about calling for a while and then fold my cards....because that's what they do on TV.

[Pupsta 0]

I would raise to 8,000 pre flop. If you get called I would move the rest of the way in no matter what happens on the flop if you are checked into.If you raised 8K and got re raised to put you all in...I would pretend I'm thinking about calling for a while and then fold my cards....because that's what they do on TV.

you'd put more than half your stack in, and then fold?are you nuts?if you raise this, you're calling any re-reraise, that's why i push instead of raising.best: push allin2ndbest, but not that great: flatcallbad but not awful: raise less than allin and call any pushawful: foldworse than awful: raise less than allin and fold to a reraise.

[VegasBone 0]

I would raise to 8,000 pre flop. If you get called I would move the rest of the way in no matter what happens on the flop if you are checked into.If you raised 8K and got re raised to put you all in...I would pretend I'm thinking about calling for a while and then fold my cards....because that's what they do on TV.

you'd put more than half your stack in, and then fold?are you nuts?if you raise this, you're calling any re-reraise, that's why i push instead of raising.best: push allin2ndbest, but not that great: flatcallbad but not awful: raise less than allin and call any pushawful: foldworse than awful: raise less than allin and fold to a reraise.

I would raise because I would want to take the pot down right there....I don't want this hand developing any further. I would fold to a reraise and definitely not go all in pre-flop because I have this problem about putting all of my chips in the middle when I'm probably beaten.The reason I would push in all of my chips after the flop....well...by that point you don't have much of a choice. I'm not happy about it if an A or K didn't hit....but if I didn't get re-reraised preflop......then I need to either take that pot right there, or go home kicking myself about not calling pre-flop and how "AK never wins"I know it is more than half of my stack, and although it would hurt quite a bit....I'm not completely crippled. No matter which way you look at it...AK is a drawing hand, and in this position....not a hand to base your tournament life off of.

[gobears 0]

I would raise to 8,000 pre flop. If you get called I would move the rest of the way in no matter what happens on the flop if you are checked into.If you raised 8K and got re raised to put you all in...I would pretend I'm thinking about calling for a while and then fold my cards....because that's what they do on TV.

you'd put more than half your stack in, and then fold?are you nuts?if you raise this, you're calling any re-reraise, that's why i push instead of raising.best: push allin2ndbest, but not that great: flatcallbad but not awful: raise less than allin and call any pushawful: foldworse than awful: raise less than allin and fold to a reraise.

I would raise because I would want to take the pot down right there....I don't want this hand developing any further. I would fold to a reraise and definitely not go all in pre-flop because I have this problem about putting all of my chips in the middle when I'm probably beaten.The reason I would push in all of my chips after the flop....well...by that point you don't have much of a choice. I'm not happy about it if an A or K didn't hit....but if I didn't get re-reraised preflop......then I need to either take that pot right there, or go home kicking myself about not calling pre-flop and how "AK never wins"I know it is more than half of my stack, and although it would hurt quite a bit....I'm not completely crippled. No matter which way you look at it...AK is a drawing hand, and in this position....not a hand to base your tournament life off of.

You're at the final table - there would be 23K in the pot after your 8K re-raise; 7K to you and you're going to fold AK?With AK, I'm pushing here - there's only two hands that I would hate to see.At this late stage of a tourney when everybody's stack is small relative to the blinds; this is exactly when you have to put your tournament life at risk. It's push/fold time pre-flop.

[shpaget 0]

You're at the final table - there would be 23K in the pot after your 8K re-raise; 7K to you and you're going to fold AK? With AK, I'm pushing here - there's only two hands that I would hate to see. At this late stage of a tourney when everybody's stack is small relative to the blinds; this is exactly when you have to put your tournament life at risk. It's push/fold time pre-flop.

Yeah, and if you get reraised all-in those are the two hands you are facing if you caal...so you can kiss your 3:1 pot odds goodbye. Pushing all-in is good if you think this guy will fold TT or JJ.You probably have absolutely zero equity against the chip leader here, so why not call and see what the flop brings?If you're purpose is to get him to fold, and if he is capable of folding here, he will fold if you bet 8000...you don't need to put in all your chips to get him to fold.

[VegasBone 0]

You need to reraise this guy preflop because of the strong possibility he has Ax-KQ-or pocket pair below 88. Although you are at the final table...this is still 8 handed poker, and the chip leader would fold because he will retain his chip lead with a fold with one of the hands mentioned above.Obviously this all depends on OP's table image and many other factors that aren't mentioned in the OP.AK is without a doubt the most over rated hand in hold 'em. Again I say.....why put your tournament life on the line with a drawing hand. Sure...it is the best drawing hand there is....but it is still a drawing hand. Any pocket pair has you behind...you shouldn't just be worried of AA and KK.....you are behind if the villian has ducks.All in here against the chip leader with AK is no good.....unless your casino is running the "Ace on every flop" promotion that day.

[Pupsta 0]

You're at the final table - there would be 23K in the pot after your 8K re-raise; 7K to you and you're going to fold AK? With AK, I'm pushing here - there's only two hands that I would hate to see. At this late stage of a tourney when everybody's stack is small relative to the blinds; this is exactly when you have to put your tournament life at risk. It's push/fold time pre-flop.

Yeah, and if you get reraised all-in those are the two hands you are facing if you caal...so you can kiss your 3:1 pot odds goodbye. Pushing all-in is good if you think this guy will fold TT or JJ.You probably have absolutely zero equity against the chip leader here, so why not call and see what the flop brings?If you're purpose is to get him to fold, and if he is capable of folding here, he will fold if you bet 8000...you don't need to put in all your chips to get him to fold.

this is terrible logic, and here's whyif you're planning on pushing regardless of what flops, if the chipleader checks to you, all you're doing is giving them a chance to fold TT or JJ to an ace or king....you're still flipping a coin, except you're getting less if you actually hit your hand.to vegas: folding after raising is awful, because they could EASILY go allin with QQ or JJ in that spot.also, i absolutely despise always hearing "AK is a drawing hand, AK is a drawing hand"....what if he has AQ or AJ or KQs? how much of a drawing hand are you there? why does a 2.5bb raise automatically mean TT or JJ?

[VegasBone 0]

this is terrible logic, and here's whyto vegas: folding after raising is awful, because they could EASILY go allin with QQ or JJ in that spot.

Ummmm....you're behind...no? I guess it's just one of those things about not wanting to put all of my money in a pot where I have the worst hand.

[Pupsta 0]

this is terrible logic, and here's whyto vegas: folding after raising is awful, because they could EASILY go allin with QQ or JJ in that spot.

Ummmm....you're behind...no? I guess it's just one of those things about not wanting to put all of my money in a pot where I have the worst hand.

so you raise to 8k, and fold getting 3.5:1 on your money because you're a 55/45 dog? is that a common practice, because that's most definitely a leak

[gobears 0]

this is terrible logic, and here's whyto vegas: folding after raising is awful, because they could EASILY go allin with QQ or JJ in that spot.

Ummmm....you're behind...no? I guess it's just one of those things about not wanting to put all of my money in a pot where I have the worst hand.

Let's assume that if villain pushes back; his range is AA-JJ, AKRunning Pokerstove gives us a 40% equity in the hand. So we would need 1.5-1 to call this hand.You're getting 3.3-1 on the call of the push. That's too much of an edge to give up especially at this late stage of the tourney.

[Suited_Up 2]

All-In is better than any smaller raise. That's all.Limits a tough decision later, and puts them in a very tough spot without a strong hand.Also, 10's or J's is very unlikely, because most people will raise more with those hands, not wanting a flop. I think they are either on JQ and trying to steal blinds cheaply, or they have a monster, and you're dead regardless of how you play it.

[shpaget 0]

All-In is better than any smaller raise. That's all.Limits a tough decision later, and puts them in a very tough spot without a strong hand.Also, 10's or J's is very unlikely, because most people will raise more with those hands, not wanting a flop. I think they are either on JQ and trying to steal blinds cheaply, or they have a monster, and you're dead regardless of how you play it.

Not necessarily - many people will see all-in as weakness...and many others will see it as an opportunity to bust someone.They'll play 88 to an all-in where they won't to a standard raise.A standard raise here does what any all-in will do, and in some cases more...it will get weaker hands to fold, and many pairs to fold. A standard raise can, many times, look stronger than an all-in.If you get reraised then you can decide how far you're behind (because you are behind if this happens) and/or if you want to gamble.If you get called, you have position. There's nothing wrong with having to make a decision...it's part of post-flop play...if all-in is your only weapon you will only get so far.Frankly, I like calling here, but it depends on the leader's ability to fold a hand.

[Pupsta 0]

there aren't enough chips to make a standard raise.if you're raising you have to push allin, otherwise you're tying yourself to the hand regardless.

[shpaget 0]

there aren't enough chips to make a standard raise.if you're raising you have to push allin, otherwise you're tying yourself to the hand regardless.

Only if you're the type to get married to your chips even though they're not your chips anymore.The fact is, you'll have 7k left...the pot will have 15k if he calls, 22k if he pushes.If he pushes, then you can decide whether or not to call...if you are so afraid to appear weak here because you decide his reraise means AA or KK...by all means, throw your chips away.Sure, he may ONLY have JJ, which means you are still behind and flipping a coin for your tournament life...go for it.Regardless, if you have decided that you'll call to any push, then why not do a standard raise? It at least gives you the opportunity to beat something like 88-JJ...a hand that may not reraise you all in.Look at this scenario:He has 99, you have AK...he calls your standard raise.The flop comes QT4...if he bets here, then you can decide whether or not you want to gamble...if he checks here, like many will, then you push and he (probably) folds.If you simply pushed preflop he (probably) calls and you lose.So, again, if you've mindlessly decided you're pot committed, and mindlessly decided you're going all-in anyway, then why not give yourself a chance to win the hand by not risking all your chips right away.Because if he's gonna call or raise your standard raise, he's gonna call your allin...you don't have very much, if any, fold equity here...most guys, especially chip leaders, will call your push with 22.A standard raise at least gives you an opportunity to win the hand on a flop that looks ugly for middle/low pairs.But, by all means, play how you want...I love playing against people who always feel pot committed....throwing off their chips even when they know they can't win, because they're pot committed. People like that just paid for my ceramic tile flooring.

[Pupsta 0]

there aren't enough chips to make a standard raise.if you're raising you have to push allin, otherwise you're tying yourself to the hand regardless.

Only if you're the type to get married to your chips even though they're not your chips anymore.The fact is, you'll have 7k left...the pot will have 15k if he calls, 22k if he pushes.If he pushes, then you can decide whether or not to call...if you are so afraid to appear weak here because you decide his reraise means AA or KK...by all means, throw your chips away.Sure, he may ONLY have JJ, which means you are still behind and flipping a coin for your tournament life...go for it.Regardless, if you have decided that you'll call to any push, then why not do a standard raise? It at least gives you the opportunity to beat something like 88-JJ...a hand that may not reraise you all in.Look at this scenario:He has 99, you have AK...he calls your standard raise.The flop comes QT4...if he bets here, then you can decide whether or not you want to gamble...if he checks here, like many will, then you push and he (probably) folds.If you simply pushed preflop he (probably) calls and you lose.So, again, if you've mindlessly decided you're pot committed, and mindlessly decided you're going all-in anyway, then why not give yourself a chance to win the hand by not risking all your chips right away.Because if he's gonna call or raise your standard raise, he's gonna call your allin...you don't have very much, if any, fold equity here...most guys, especially chip leaders, will call your push with 22.A standard raise at least gives you an opportunity to win the hand on a flop that looks ugly for middle/low pairs.But, by all means, play how you want...I love playing against people who always feel pot committed....throwing off their chips even when they know they can't win, because they're pot committed. People like that just paid for my ceramic tile flooring.

rofl, are you serious?you have no fold equity against a chipleader when you can cripple them to 10bb? it has NOTHING to do with 'being tied to your chips once they're in the pot" and EVERYTHING to do with NEVER raising half your stack and folding preflop. EVER. again, if you're going to push regardless of what flops, and if you're reading him for JJ or TT, it's better to get all the chips in preflop, because if you wait until an ace or king hits, you're not going to make the money you would have, and if all unders flop, you're getting the rest of your money in as a big dog.chipleaders don't voluntarily call off 2/3 of their chips with 22 just because they're the chipleader. a standard raise there does NOT look any "more threatening" than an allin. it's still 2/3 of his chips regardless. if you want to argue flatcalling pf and playing your position, fine. arguing raising less than allin, with the possibility of folding getting almost 4;1 on your money, is flat out preposterous.also, your math is a little off...if he calls your 8k pf, you hvae 7k left with a 17200 pot.

[PoppinFresh 0]

I guarantee that half of the people saying that reraising but not going all-in is horrible would reraise less than all-in with AA. And that's why I'm just reraising with AK. In the end it makes very little real difference, if he's gonna play the pot he's most likely putting you all in, and if he doesn't he's not folding the flop unless MAYBE it comes A K x and he has an underpair, even then it's probably a bad fold and he will call. What it does change is the perception of the play, because everyone in the online poker world LOVES to try and suck their opponent in with a smaller raise. If I had AA or KK I would push.

[Pupsta 0]

I guarantee that half of the people saying that reraising but not going all-in is horrible would reraise less than all-in with AA. And that's why I'm just reraising with AK. And that's all I gotta say about that :-)

completely different situation, although i completely get what you're getting at.a hand like 77 or 88 cannot call an allin because you could be pushing allin with AK KK QQ JJ TT 99 etc. you're raising smaller with aces because you WANT the action, you WANT to get allin with this hand pre or post flop.you're more likely to get pushed back if you raise less than allin, too, which makes it better if you're holding aces.if you're raising less than allin with AK with the intention to a) push any flop if checked to you and B) calling if they push back at you, fine. it's still not optimal, but it's not AWFUL.if you're raising AK with the intention of folding if they push back, you're a fool if you don't just flatcall and take the flop instead.

[Pupsta 0]

In the end it makes very little real difference, if he's gonna play the pot he's most likely putting you all in, and if he doesn't he's not folding the flop unless MAYBE it comes A K x and he has an underpair, even then it's probably a bad fold and he will call. What it does change is the perception of the play, because everyone in the online poker world LOVES to try and suck their opponent in with a smaller raise. If I had AA or KK I would push.

if i have AA, i probably 50% of the time raise small, 50% push.KK is 100% push.if i'm playing against opponents that i know are good enough to see a smaller raise as aces and can lay down queens or jacks in that situation, i push. against the average partydonk, they don't know the difference, they just see it as less chips to raise and MAY even read it as weakness.