my answer about AK

[gnk1221]

This seems like the typical "overvalue" of a hand. AK while it is a strong starting hand still can be very easily beaten, and too many people dont know when to throw it away.................

[stann888]

a AK i raise too

[Ripclawph]

i usually raise a big one playing AK preflop... now depending on the flop i would bet an amount jsst to get a read of the caller/s(usually 1 or 2). sometimes my bet would depend on
what kind of callers i have if i already have a read on them.

[jeffsbabe]

I don't go all-in with AK. It's a big risk 'cause you may get nothing to go with it. I raise pre-flop then make a follow up bet. If I get reraised and got nothing on the flop, I fold.

[scrawnybob]

hi all

Very interesting to see the posts on this topic ... I can see where my profit comes from playing 55 now ;-)

AK is not a good hand ... unless you hit an ace of a king and that is also assuming your not up against AA or KK

or more importantly 10 10 etc with a 10 - K flop etc etc

or an innocent looking K 5 9 type flop where you think your ahead with top pair ace kicker

this is exactly why I'll sometimes play hands like 55 in a 2 or 3 way pot where someone has raised 3x BB

in fact as much as people think they are ahead preflop with AK even against 22 they are behind - and when that 2 or 5 comes down you are going to get crucified if you cant let KA go or pick up the signals that ... they called the preflop raise and now they are calling / raising on the flop

beware of AK ... play it correctly and really try to pick up warning signs but also be prepared to semi bluff on the flop ... thats where the feel part comes in ... but dont think your ever along way ahead with AK ... very rarely will you be

Playing Big Slick - Ace King

cheers scrawnybob

[geryhun]

dont forget AK is just only Ace high...
AK against middle pair or qq almost the odds lol

[xxmommaxx]

Originally Posted by Jeffers70

AK is a great starting hand,suited slightly better and will dominate most poker starting hands. However it is still a drawing hand to any pair. It needs to be played correctly. Agressively but still correctly. Learning that you CAN fold AK and AQ has for sure saved me chips at times.

I totally agree with you! I used to see AK (especially suited) and just automatically go All-in before the flop. I still may at times, depending on my position, chip stack, the table atmosphere, etc., but I now have learned that, as you said Jeffers70, it is nothing but the best Drawing Hand before the flop.

Now, I tend to raise at least 3 times or so the big blind before the flop, and play accordingly after that depending of course also on who calls, raises, etc...I no longer am afraid to FOLD an AK!!! and it has helped A LOT.

[Jeffers70]

Originally Posted by RoboFish

I hate committing myself to AK preflop, then suits 10s, Qs, and Js come up.

I usually prefer to either slow play it and hope to surprise a few people if there's a good flop or steal any blinds and raises with an all in bet.

Am I wrong to play like this?

That is not a bad way to play it sometimes to mix it up. Can win big, but needs to be played well.

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by xxmommaxx

I totally agree with you! I used to see AK (especially suited) and just automatically go All-in before the flop. I still may at times, depending on my position, chip stack, the table atmosphere, etc., but I now have learned that, as you said Jeffers70, it is nothing but the best Drawing Hand before the flop.

Now, I tend to raise at least 3 times or so the big blind before the flop, and play accordingly after that depending of course also on who calls, raises, etc...I no longer am afraid to FOLD an AK!!! and it has helped A LOT.

It depends on MY Position, I like the 3 times both blinds 100/50 raise 450 late position and smoth call early.

[BloodThug]

i almost wanna fold them when i get them cuz everytime i get them i raise and some re-raises all-in..... u have to call, and i swear, 9 outta 10 times they got pp aces.. or the other 1 time i dont catch an ace or a king.