AK Short Handed

[jakally]

6 handed NLHE $1/$2 Cash.

You get dealt AKo UTG, and make it $8 to go.
Cut off reraises to $24.

You and cut off both reasonably solid players, and both played together a few times before so got some awareness of other player's game.

Folded round to you, what's your move?

Jak.

[boldie]

Both played together and have some awareness of eachothers game is the crucial line for me here. If i put him on a monster then i'd fold. Otherwise I'll flatcall (most likely) and decide on the flop.

what are the stacks like?

[marcro]

The good old Anna Kournikova hand - looks good but tends not to win a lot.  I also struggle with this situation.  It is only ace high and a drawing hand.  To maximise its value you typically need to see all five cards.  If you feel like gambling shove and hope you are not against AA or KK.  If you call and miss it is likely your opponent will make a continuation bet which keeps the pressure on you.  It is a hand which has cost me a lot of money recently so I am gun shy on how to play it.  Will be interested to read the replies on this one.

[jakally]

what are the stacks like?

Both stacks about 100BB.

[boldie]

what are the stacks like?

Both stacks about 100BB.

OK, thanks. A flatcall from me and reasses on the flop.

[M3boy]

Re pop it to $75 - try and take the pot there and then - oh and fold to a re raise.

[M3boy]

I like to re raise an UTG raise from the cut off with a pp (even a small one) to take the advantage going into the flop for 2 main reasons :

1) If you have AK, and an ace flops I can STILL take the pot from a solid player
2) If you have a pp, you will now be looking for a set on the flop.

I like to re raise, not flat call - this lets ME take the advantage to the flop.

[jakally]

I like to re raise an UTG raise from the cut off with a pp (even a small one) to take the advantage going into the flop for 2 main reasons :

1) If you have AK, and an ace flops I can STILL take the pot from a solid player
2) If you have a pp, you will now be looking for a set on the flop.

I like to re raise, not flat call - this lets ME take the advantage to the flop.

Ok, taking this a step further, you are in the cut off, and solid player UTG, both 100BB.
You get dealt KK.

UTG raises to $8, you reraise to $24 , folded round to UTG who repops it to $78.
What do you do now?

Jak.

[boldie]

push

[M3boy]

I like to re raise an UTG raise from the cut off with a pp (even a small one) to take the advantage going into the flop for 2 main reasons :

1) If you have AK, and an ace flops I can STILL take the pot from a solid player
2) If you have a pp, you will now be looking for a set on the flop.

I like to re raise, not flat call - this lets ME take the advantage to the flop.

Ok, taking this a step further, you are in the cut off, and solid player UTG, both 100BB.
You get dealt KK.

UTG raises to $8, you reraise to $24 , folded round to UTG who repops it to $78.
What do you do now?

Jak.

Ship it in - if he has aces - so be it, If he has AK and catches an ace, so be it

[jakally]

Yeah I know it sounds like a scenario with only one answer, but I came across this earlier and it made me think.

When the UTG guy reraises, I had a gut instinct (solid player, instant action etc...) that he had aces.

Thought about it afterwards, and decided that he would definitely reraise with AA and KK, probably QQ, but wasn't sure about AK (hence the original question).

Whether he reraises with AK is relatively important, as without it, pushing against a player whose range is AA - QQ is -EV.
If he would make the same move with AK (plus any other hands), then moving in is then very profitable.

My calculations may be a bit dodgy (back of a fag packet) and am quite happy if someone wants to do something a bit more structured and prove me wrong.

Jak.

[UpTheMariners]

call see a flop, although i like to limp raise utg with ak, looks like you have a stronger hand then.

[Royal Flush]

Re pop it to $75 - try and take the pot there and then - oh and fold to a re raise.

You pass AK when its 125 to call into a 275 pot?

[M3boy]

Re pop it to $75 - try and take the pot there and then - oh and fold to a re raise.

You pass AK when its 125 to call into a 275 pot?

What hands do u expect him to re raise you with?

[CrestOfaWave]

You should play to see the flop if it is only 125 to go. Your AK may hit a straight draw or flop the nut straight and criple AA and KK. You can always muck afterwards if it is not comfortable.