Playing the flop with KK?

[Canuck]

   For the past 2 nights I have started playing MTT's rather then just SnG's. Last night I was elminated in the 3 dollar rebuy with KK v AK all in preflop and in the 5 dollar freezeout I went out on KK v AJ all in preflop. I know these things happen, but I was just curious if any frequent MTT's would advocate seeing a flop with KK and playing aggressively if no ace hits and slowing down if one does. These are not bad beat stories, merely a SnGer looking for some direction from frequent MTT'ers. Thanks

Canuck

[Graham C]

I think the key is getting your chips in first and make a solid raise with hands like KK - stick at least 5xbb in minimum - more in the first couple of levels.  I play the $3 and $5 mtt's and people are too happy to call with anything.  A lot of people see AJ a brilliant hand  and you just can't get them off it. 

You could always see a cheap flop if others have entered the pot already and see if an ace hits. If there isn't an ace, stick your chips in, if there is, make a decent bet and be prepared to say goodbye to the KK if you get reraised.

The good thing of course is that when the ace doesn't hit, they often don't give up and will call so you can end up getting paid off nicely.   

[SupaMonkey]

If i'm short enough to be able to get my chips in preflop with KK then i will. You always want worse hands calling you and preflop seems like the best time to me. If the AK guy misses (which is likely when you hold KK), how many more chips do you get off of him (whereas plenty of people are happy to ship it in with AK preflop).

[GlasgowBandit]

i'd never be pushing pre flop with KK.

The thing is at these levels players aren't capable of passing big aces IMO.

[totalise]

i'd never be pushing pre flop with KK.

The thing is at these levels players aren't capable of passing big aces IMO.

thats a pretty good reason to push KK preflop

[tantrum]

At this levels KK is a powerhand - totalise is right.
most of the time you will be ahead and will dble up with KK.

[NoflopsHomer]

i'd never be pushing pre flop with KK.

The thing is at these levels players aren't capable of passing big aces IMO.

How often do you reckon you can get yourself all-in as better than a 70% favourite?

I want them calling with any ace all of the time.

[TightEnd]

i'd never be pushing pre flop with KK.

The thing is at these levels players aren't capable of passing big aces IMO.

after all, KK isn't A5 in the SB to a re-raise now is it Bandit? 


Canuck, I'd keep playing them fast and hoping to be called by Ax. You are just experiencing over a very small sample size the variance of MTTs

[GlasgowBandit]

I just don't like shoving my stack in the middle with KK I want action with these bad boys and i fear that if I shove it in then I miss out on getting as many chips in possible.  Obviously if someone gets there stack in before me I get mines in double quick.

A 5 is a quality re raising hand but only if sooooted!

[TightEnd]

I just don't like shoving my stack in the middle with KK8)

to clarify, i mean raising a suitable amount and then if it's back raised behind you has to be all in pre flop vs AQ/AJ whatever, then so be it

[GlasgowBandit]

I just don't like shoving my stack in the middle with KK8)

to clarify, i mean raising a suitable amount and then if it's back raised behind you has to be all in pre flop vs AQ/AJ whatever, then so be it

Right now we're talking, the impression i got reading this was it was all in and call not bet-raise-re-raise

[Canuck]

I had KK in Mid position, I raise BB x 3. to 1800. The BB raised me back another 3000. I raised him back another 8000 effectively putting myself all in. He had a few thoudand more then me and hit an ace with AK.

I would never open push with KK as no one is calling it unless they have AA or maybe QQ.