ak in no limit or pot limit hold'em

[standaman 0]

If you are playing at a tournament table and nobody will fold any pair preflop to a pot sized raise is there any point in open raising with AK other than an attempt to steal the blinds ?

[blakheart 3]

Yes, to narrow the field. It is easier to play against less people then more. You are not raising to get 88 to fold, most players will play that regardless of your action. You want j 2 suited to fold. Also, depending on position and the flop you can often make a continuation bet on the flop that will work based on your preflop raise. Now when the flop comes J 9 2 you can bet and 88 should fold.Finally, against an hand but KK or AA you will win 50% of the time, so getting more chips in the pot is a good thing.

[blakheart 3]

Yes, to narrow the field. It is easier to play against less people then more. You are not raising to get 88 to fold, most players will play that regardless of your action. You want j 2 suited to fold. Also, depending on position and the flop you can often make a continuation bet on the flop that will work based on your preflop raise. Now when the flop comes J 9 2 you can bet and 88 should fold.Finally, against an hand but KK or AA you will win 50% of the time, so getting more chips in the pot is a good thing.