haw do u play A K

#1 07-05-2008, 11:16 PM

the big slick a k ..wats the best way to play it..iv been skanked that many times with it. im resortin to just goin all in....i no sad..any advice on wat to do with it....

#2 07-05-2008, 11:20 PM

Going all in before the flop with AK is a terrible move. AK is super overrated, depending on the table your at your going to get called with 3 hands if you push all in before the flop, QQ, KK, and AA. 2 of the 3 your a huge dog.

#3 08-05-2008, 1:58 AM

AK is only Ace high with a big kicker. Good yes, but in early position with several callers, probably not going to play.

When the blinds are small relative to the chip stacks, I bet 4 times the BB plus one blind per caller. This should get rid of those limping in to see a cheap flop. If somebody raises you are probably beat, however a continuation bet on the flop should confirm where you stand. If the board pairs I don’t think I would even bet a continuation bet, I would probably just check then fold if a raise comes, but that is just me.

#4 08-05-2008, 1:58 AM

Raise/call when your in EP/MP/LP not more than 3xBB.
That is my stand anyway...for most hands I decide to play as a matter of fact.

#5 08-05-2008, 4:00 AM

I agree with most of these guys. You see a lot of weak players over play AK. You have to able to get away from this hand, especially with more than one other person in the hand. You are still drawing with it, and if you don't improve there are 13 other hands that already beat you without help from the board.

Raise pre flop 3-6x the blind.
Vary your play on the flop, if you continuation bet, be able to check the turn if you get called or fold if raised.

Wait to make your money against, AQ when the Ace hits, or KQ when the king hits.

#6 08-05-2008, 4:49 AM

cant give u specifics on how to play it, too many variables and scenarios for that, gotta see a flop with it regardless, if u hit flop, go from there, if u miss....FOLD

#7 08-05-2008, 4:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KidFlopadelic

cant give u specifics on how to play it, too many variables and scenarios for that, gotta see a flop with it regardless, if u hit flop, go from there, if u miss....FOLD

Agree with Kid here. Each condition speaks for itself. Full table, short table, HU, position, action before and what you expect to happen after you. Just to name a few. But remember that saying, lose allot or win a little with slick.

#8 08-05-2008, 8:22 PM

from here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliengenius

I posted these thoughts in another thread, but I think they are worth repeating here:

The advantages of AK are mostly in it's preflop value:

1. Fold equity. This is the biggest advantage of AK. For me it is almost alway a REraising hand preflop. For you to take advantage of this, you MUST play it aggressively (your opponent must fold). Small pairs can't really call you for fear that you have a bigger pair when you play it aggressively. If you do get called, even by something like QQ, you are still only a slight dog.

2. Pre-flop dominating hand. This is mostly applicable against donks who will call you with Ax soooooded. Inversely, you are only really dominated vs AA or KK (and you have about 30% vs KK).

3. Post flop your top pair always has top kicker when you hit.

Obviously when your opponent goes all in he has neutralized AK's biggest advantage as he can no longer fold. Against two random cards that don't include either and ace or a king you are not that big of a favorite with five to come, as other posters pointed out. But you don't ever really want to be calling an all in with very many hands (AA and KK excepted)-- YOU want to be the one doing the raising or pushing.

Just to look at it another way, let's compare AK to a small pair, say 55.

AK is a dominating hand. IF your raise is called you are (most likely) either:

1. way ahead (vs. a weaker ace)
OR
2. in a 50/50ish race.

With 55 you are (most likely) either:

1. way behind (vs. a bigger pair)
OR
2. in a 50/50ish race.

See the difference?

#9 09-05-2008, 12:08 AM

thanks for the advice .. after reading the comments im coming to the conclusionim that ive been over playing it. i play a lot of multi table torneys so tend to play a do or die game with it. over raise and then feel pot committed. or go all in if theres a few early callers before i act...after all ur right it is only ace high top notch advice ...my poker can only improve on this site. so watch out theres a ghost about lol nice 1 .......

#10 09-05-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxghostxz

thanks for the advice .. after reading the comments im coming to the conclusionim that ive been over playing it. i play a lot of multi table torneys so tend to play a do or die game with it. over raise and then feel pot committed. or go all in if theres a few early callers before i act...after all ur right it is only ace high top notch advice ...my poker can only improve on this site. so watch out theres a ghost about lol nice 1 .......

I'll tell you who I'm gonna call...

#11 09-05-2008, 12:56 AM

nice 1 lol ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

#12 09-05-2008, 1:16 AM

Big slick is over rated, but it depends alot on ur position an ur chip count

this is how i played it

PokerStars Game #17274769988: Tournament #87005043, $2.00+$0.20 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVI (3000/6000) - 2008/05/07 - 21:13:48 (ET)
Table '87005043 6' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Dienmooder (102260 in chips)
Seat 2: Hookt4eva (77920 in chips)
Seat 3: trader_brz (57891 in chips)
Seat 4: nanuck1980 (98884 in chips)
Seat 5: CanucksFan98 (76659 in chips)
Dienmooder: posts the ante 600
Hookt4eva: posts the ante 600
trader_brz: posts the ante 600
nanuck1980: posts the ante 600
CanucksFan98: posts the ante 600
Hookt4eva: posts small blind 3000
trader_brz: posts big blind 6000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hookt4eva [Kd Ac]
nanuck1980: folds
CanucksFan98: raises 9000 to 15000
Dienmooder: folds
Hookt4eva: raises 62320 to 77320 and is all-in
trader_brz: folds
CanucksFan98: folds
Uncalled bet (62320) returned to Hookt4eva
Hookt4eva collected 39000 from pot
Hookt4eva: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 39000 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Dienmooder (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Hookt4eva (small blind) collected (39000)
Seat 3: trader_brz (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: nanuck1980 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: CanucksFan98 folded before Flop

#13 09-05-2008, 1:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpb221

The biggest problem I see with A K is people do is way over value it.

It's the biggest non pair, thats ALL it is. A drawing hand that needs help. I play it in many different ways. Short stacked and high blinds I will shove. Preflop in a free roll I will call a allin sometimes depends on how many other allin's. I learned to semi bluff with it when i miss flop and learned to muck if board dangerous and villian is betting strong. Having Been big slicked so many pots and also winning monsters with the hand suited or not. I recently learned no hand isn't beatable preflop. Sounds obiviuos huh? Players are more beatable preflop, post flop, turn, and the river than any hand. Myself included LOL

I hope that makes sense

#14 09-05-2008, 5:07 PM

Suited AK- Raise big if my stack is getting too small...You have a higher probability of winning unless the other person has a pocketed pair...This is why if you're in the middle or late position, you raise accordingly in relation to how much another person raised, if any1 did.

If my stack is large enough, I would conserve chips and not raise too much.

#15 09-05-2008, 5:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raza987

Suited AK- Raise big if my stack is getting too small...You have a higher probability of winning unless the other person has a pocketed pair...This is why if you're in the middle or late position, you raise accordingly in relation to how much another person raised, if any1 did.

If my stack is large enough, I would conserve chips and not raise too much.

Do u play unsuited AK any diffrent? and if the anwser is yes,why?
And shouldnt u raise more when u have more chips to bully?
sound like a strange play to me

#16 09-05-2008, 5:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR TOYMAKER

A drawing hand that needs help.

NO. No, it's not a "drawing hand" (no matter what Lee Jones wrote in his low buy-in LIMIT book). In fact AK has plenty of showdown value unimproved in the right situations (ideally hu) against the right players.

See above.

#17 09-05-2008, 5:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliengenius

NO. No, it's not a "drawing hand" (no matter what Lee Jones wrote in his low buy-in LIMIT book). In fact AK has plenty of showdown value unimproved in the right situations (ideally hu) against the right players.

See above.

I see your point, but respectfully still disagree. In the situations you described "Yes it is boss" and a great hand to have. But it still needs help.

The name Big slick says it all. You can take down a "Big pot" with it or you slip down that "slick slope of waiting for the draw"

#18 09-05-2008, 6:24 PM

I ever see AK i like to push all my chips in real fast. Racing sometimes gives me a rush...

#19 09-05-2008, 7:14 PM

I swear if I read that AK is a "drawing hand" again I'm going to melt. AG has spelled it out perfectly and you really can't disagree with his post about preflop value. Yes, it's obvious that unimproved it's generally good not to continue without reads, but that's besides the point.

#20 09-05-2008, 7:20 PM

I guess I am one of those who overvalue it. But I am in good company, Doyle says in SuperSystem that when you have AK it is such a powerful hand that you should go all in preflop, because otherwise you may chicken out if the flop does not hit you. Soooo, I go all in preflop

#21 09-05-2008, 9:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanAndMean

I guess I am one of those who overvalue it. But I am in good company, Doyle says in SuperSystem that when you have AK it is such a powerful hand that you should go all in preflop, because otherwise you may chicken out if the flop does not hit you. Soooo, I go all in preflop

I don't think going all in is all bad as long as it reduces the field to just one or two players, you do that with a big bet, If you have 3 or more callers your probably toast, so early in the game it is a bad idea to push unless you know your opponents. In early position especially early in the game it is practically suicidal to go all in with AK PF.

#22 10-05-2008, 2:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emperor IX

I swear if I read that AK is a "drawing hand" again I'm going to melt. AG has spelled it out perfectly and you really can't disagree with his post about preflop value. Yes, it's obvious that unimproved it's generally good not to continue without reads, but that's besides the point.

Its a "drawing hand" start melting

.Maybe it is not a" drawing hand". However, in my meager experience I always view it valueable only after it hits the flop. It is not a "made hand" prelop dueces beat it. Since its not made I believe it is of the drawing nature. But if I am wrong will readly admit it.

I'm just a beginner poker player with a lot to learn.

#23 10-05-2008, 2:58 AM

Every hand is a drawing hand. A made hand preflop is a pair, however, a pair is no longer "made" after the flop, and that's what many people in this discussion are focusing on anyway.

#24 10-05-2008, 4:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR TOYMAKER

Its a "drawing hand" start melting

.Maybe it is not a" drawing hand". However, in my meager experience I always view it valueable only after it hits the flop. It is not a "made hand" prelop dueces beat it. Since its not made I believe it is of the drawing nature. But if I am wrong will readly admit it.

I'm just a beginner poker player with a lot to learn.

But dueces are folding to any c-bet exept the hit there set.
And like AG posted earlyer its not a drawing hand it haves pleanty of showdown value

#25 10-05-2008, 6:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sindri_93

Do u play unsuited AK any diffrent? and if the anwser is yes,why?
And shouldnt u raise more when u have more chips to bully?
sound like a strange play to me

I raise for an unsuited AK hand aswell, but not as much as i do for the suited AK. I play according the probability, and once again t he table position; a suited pair has a slightly higher probability. The reason "I' beleive that there should be a large raise with a short stack is because you have less to lose and need more to gain before the blinds eat you; you already have less chips than most players, but you want to play it safe, which is why you raise and eliminate limpers.. Since less players will call ( my goal is usually just one) your opponent(s) have a lower probability to make a pair. Thus, you would have a higher chance of having a high card than them.

#26 10-05-2008, 6:47 AM

i go awrin with AK and then hope i flop big or go home sometime maybe ill play the main event maybe get AK go awrin hit big against kenny tran send him home then chip leader and milionaire gl at the tables!

#27 10-05-2008, 4:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raza987

I raise for an unsuited AK hand aswell, but not as much as i do for the suited AK. I play according the probability, and once again t he table position; a suited pair has a slightly higher probability. The reason "I' beleive that there should be a large raise with a short stack is because you have less to lose and need more to gain before the blinds eat you; you already have less chips than most players, but you want to play it safe, which is why you raise and eliminate limpers.. Since less players will call ( my goal is usually just one) your opponent(s) have a lower probability to make a pair. Thus, you would have a higher chance of having a high card than them.

Well since u say that u raise acording to probaility do u raise 2% more?

#28 10-05-2008, 6:33 PM

It's easy to play A, K, it's mood dependant! Oops, wait I wasn't supposed to share that with the men was I?

I like a small raise or even NO raise. Depends on how daring I want to be and if it's play money or real cash.

If there is an obnoxious person who overbets every hand (while holding nothing!) at the table I may go all the way and wait until he tries to bully everyone out, then I take him (or her) down. This is of course presuming the cards on the table are in my favor. Sometimes ya just gotta toss 'em.

You get a bigger take sometimes too, when others are fighting it out for their smaller kicker or even a pair of eights or something of the like.

No matter what, keep having fun, when it ain't fun it's time to go grab a beer.

#29 10-05-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figment6

when it ain't fun it's time to go grab a beer.

quoted for mother****in truth

#30 11-05-2008, 7:28 PM

While I think it's usually best to play AK aggressively....

In late position I sometimes like to flat call a preflop raiser. I'm hoping he's playing a weaker ace and will do all the betting for me if the flop brings an ace, or at least pick off his continuation bet if he's got a pocket pair.

I'll also do this from the blinds with the intention of check/raising the flop.

If the flop doesn't hit me I can easily get away from the hand.

#31 11-05-2008, 8:18 PM

They don't call it "Walking Home" for nuthin.

Getting AK under the gun almost always relates to an eventual pre flop fold for me. Puts fear in my stomach cuz I know I gotta try to play it.

On the button with a table of limpers....STILL SCARY.

If I can get isolated, then I'll push. And probably walk the #$#% home.

---

#32 11-05-2008, 8:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPT. ZIGZAG

They don't call it "Walking Home" for nuthin.

Getting AK under the gun almost always relates to an eventual pre flop fold for me. Puts fear in my stomach cuz I know I gotta try to play it.

On the button with a table of limpers....STILL SCARY.

If I can get isolated, then I'll push. And probably walk the #$#% home.

---

you should try to suppress those negative thoughts and you'll probably have a lot more success with AK

#33 11-05-2008, 8:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxghostxz

the big slick a k ..wats the best way to play it..iv been skanked that many times with it. im resortin to just goin all in....i no sad..any advice on wat to do with it....

really hate moving all in with AK unless u really think u have the other over coated with them having a hand such as A Q or so forth but the thing u need to ask yourself 1st of all is what style of poker ur playing in a cash game for 1 no1 is ussually jus going to move in preflop with anything less than an AK so at best u would be in a race........so try to build the pot incase u do hit and if u dont u dont have to much invested to be able to fold...........beleive me in a tourney ill take pocket 2s preflop over ak for all my money any day

#34 11-05-2008, 10:41 PM

trying to get your number of posts up? The moderator will never figure it out. lol

#35 12-05-2008, 8:02 PM

if u mean me with the coment about the number of posts. no im not. i joined this site to learn a bit more about the game of poker.i notice u are a advanced member so im surprised at the atitude. to be honest if thats the atitude of advanced members well shove yer site...


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