Keep getting myself in a bit of bother!

[Graham C]

I need a bit of advise.  I think I probably know the right answer but I'll ask anyway.

If I have the hands AK or AQs (possibly AQo too)

Preflop - nice raise of 3-5 x BB and say 1 or two people call.

The problem I have is when the flop misses me.

If the flop misses me I tend to make a continuation bet.  If someone calls and the turn is another missed card I tend to make another continuation bet and hope for the best.   A couple of times, I've even reraised raises and obviously lost looking an idiot.

So, am I right in making a bet after the flop to see where I stand and then with a caller check on the turn or should I check on the flop and see what happens?  If I'm raised I should definatly fold.

Ta

[Wardonkey]

Against one caller making a continuation bet when the flop misses you is fine, against 2 or more callers it's a lot riskier. Continuing to bet after you've been called is not something you want to do very often.

You could try raising a bit less pre-flop, then betting about half the pot on the flop, this will help stop you getting over-commited when it goes pear shaped.

[Graham C]

cheers, I'll cut back a bit and see how it goes.  Ideally I'm after people to just fold but it doesn't always work like that!

[jezza777]

Betting the flop after being the preflop raiser used to win its fair share of pots. Thesedays tho a lot of people  have read Harrington and are generally more clued up. They are therefore more likley to either reraise you or call and bet the turn where you probably cant call.  Information on your opponents is key here , this is difficult to get in a tournament as you see so many different players but in a cash game your notes on things like this can literally make you money.
As Donkey says a continuation bet against one foe is ok but the more players you have to get through the riskier it becomes . This is a reason why it is unwise to try to run a bluff past more thasn one player.
 The texture of the flop is important here as well.The question to ask is not wether the flop has helped you but more importantly does it fit into the possible range of your callers hands? also you need to think about what they have got you on." given the call of my preflop raise, their position ,my position and my table image what range of hands do the other players assign to me?"
If the texture of the flop is dangerous ie it has a flush draw on it and you dont hold it or there are jacke and queens around and you have AK then I would leave it alone and check if not have a stab ans see what happens. If you are playing cash games make sure you vary your play sometimes bet out with the nuts and sometimes with nothing, it is important that you dont get stale and easily read.

" IF someone calls and the turn is another missed card I tend to make another continuation bet and hope for the best"

please dont do this if you bet a flop that you have missed and get a caller they generally have somthing betting the turn is just throwing away chips for no good reason . You should always have a reason for calling or raising and hoping for the best isn't a good enough one.

good luck
jezza

[snoopy1239]

I'd consider discarding the second continuation bet on the turn.

[M3boy]

You have to be betting against the right people for this to work.

AQ ? horrible hand to be raising with (if you get called that is) - if flop comes Ace rag rag, you have no idea where you are. I personally dont like raising with AQ or AK unless in late position.

Try flat calling, then if you want, re raise if anyone raises after you.

[Graham C]

cheers guys, I'll be trying it out tonight

[snoopy1239]

My advice would be to keep experimenting. If you continue to make the same moves, and they keep failing, then you'll never get anyhwere. It might cost you a few bucks to try somehting else out, but it'll be worth it in the long run.

[allym]

I know the feeling, same thing happens to me with small-medium pairs! Iv gotten to the stage where I think is it worth betting pre-flop! If an overcard hits the board then your're running scared! Not quite same scenario with AK/Q, but any pair beats these hands! You could try calling pre-flop sometimes and hope to hit and if you do you will probably not be given credit for the hand as you did not bet pre-flop! Alternatively, bet pre-flop and if you miss, you could bet after the flop and see where you stand! If the opponent looks like hes chasing and no help comes on the turn put in a big bet! If there are 2 callers then beware!

[way_too_tight]

Is this question cash game or tourney based ?

If it's a cash game can you give the details ?

Online/live blinds/stacks/players etc ?