AK in cashgame

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Sorin Iliescu

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i have an uncertainty about AK, maybe AQ related to cash games, but it can happen in the begginning of a tournament play although i'm not considering icm.if i'm not mistaken, AK equity against a range of pocket pair like 22-QQ is between 48% and 43%, so about 45% against the range. if you are in a cash game the blinds are small so the pot odds when opponent shoves before you act (lets say you have 100bb stack) will be somewhere like 49%+.
Also, when you are first to act and you make a standard raise and he shoves(3bets all in), you will have almost the same pot odds(especially if you are deep stacked)
Should i fold AK if i have a read that an opponent holds a pocket pair? (let's say he has about 8% 3bet percentage)
 
grumblbrumbl

grumblbrumbl

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In the later stages of the tournament, I often drop a premium card. Thus I avoid the cooler. But it's very difficult to read a pocket pair from an opponent. If I knew 100% that my opponent has a pair, then I would throw my AK to the all-in.
 
wsbar

wsbar

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Playing with AK in cash game I would play the following way, against three opponents or more I would play for value with three of a kind or stronger game. Raise pre-flop if there is a re-raise depending on the opponent I could even drop this hand. Dude, I'll be honest, I'd just go all-in with AK pre-flop in case I was in late position.
 
Chito

Chito

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Open AK earlier position, flat reasonable 3bets. Late position 3bet AK most of the time. Always mix up what you do to balance your range.
 
dragunovich

dragunovich

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with an ak you should think, how much money am i willing to lose? for me AK is garbage in cash, in cashgame it serves to pay the flop and nothing else, a QQ, JJ, TT or any 22 can take away the money you accumulated in 2 hours. While in a tournament depending on my stack I could go allin preflop without problems, postflop would not go there although there are maniacs that support the theory of sending all in postflop.
 
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RunoMont

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AK is a good pair. but I always try to be cautious about my position and ensure I don't loose all my chips
 
Cinzento

Cinzento

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At preflop AK is always raise-push. If opponent called your raise, your next move will depend on flop structure. If you got pair, you can make a cbet. If you got any draw, then check-call. If you got nothing, check-fold. If there is no pair on the flop, then most likely, it will not be at the next streets.I win about 76% hands with AKs and about 70% hands with AKo - 237.96bb/100
 
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ederato

ederato

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The problem with having an AK in hand in cash games is that the tendency is to want to raise the bet and thus increase the chance of losing money, since a misero pair of two can win. There are countless times that I lost a hand with AK and the opponent paying with 2,3 in the hand (like I hate the donkeys) there hit a 2, a 3 on the river and no card saving my excellent hand. All care is little and overconfidence ends with your bankroll quickly.
 
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Ofarah

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I will usually slow play AK in early position but if I’m close to the button I will raise/re-raise. Once the flop comes if I don’t hit an ace or king I’ll usually cbet if it’s checked down to me and fold it I get raised on it.

I find it’s important to show strength with AK late position because you can usually win blank flops with a cbet or know where you stand regardless.
 
Lefty Blue

Lefty Blue

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AK for me is always a drawing hand. Good only if you hit on the flop so I play cautiously pre-flop.
Example, 2 days ago I looked at AA on the button. 3 players placed minimum bets and I raised to $5 in this $2NL game. My plan worked as 1 player raised to $20 and I shoved. He surprised me by calling with AK. Worked nice.
 
wsbar

wsbar

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Very good to be part of Cardschat and share information related to poker, so we learn constantly.
 
gotace503

gotace503

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i have lost many hands with AK. i dont shove or raise unless just couple of people live, but other than that i will fold in quickness.
 
lcid86

lcid86

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AK suited much stronger, much more comfortable getting my cash in. Off suit I play much more cautiously.
 
vapandrei

vapandrei

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AK suited played aggressively preflop without shoving if you feel there's a 10+ pocket pair at the table, AKos maybe 3bet, but it's risky.

I'm not a fan of monster hands in general as they are easier to read. I like gap suited connectors. On 888, I fall short all the time with premiums in MTTs. On PS hitting a decent flop seems much more likely. Probably because I play(ed, on a break now) more on PS.
 
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