Learned a hard lesson about AK

When someone raises 4xBB from UTG, and UTG+1 and BTTN both call, AK is a fine hand to 3bet with. When UTG 4bets, AK is not really at 48% equity. Chances are some of those Aces you need to crack JJ/QQ/KK are gone, and AA has you screwed anyway. Ax, A10, AJ, KQ are not 4betting with two calls and a 3bet behind. Probably time to fold AK.

I learned this the hard way...

If your opponents know a bunch about position, I reckon myself it's a muck (or at least I would). UTG raised, so let's give him around 5.5% of hands: 99+, AJs+, KQs, AQo+ (maybe not the KQs, but let's add it in anyway). UTG+1 has to have a narrower range, let's say JJ+, AQs+, AKo. The button doesn't need to have a hand so let's just give him random (even though it isn't) and you have 20.9% equity. If they don't know about position, then I might do what you would do and three bet to see whether you're good or not.

AK is one hand which is easier in position... But you can play it much faster OOP to try and close the hand.

AKs I'm more likely to push all in/shove... AKo I'm likely to fold but then again these cards don't mean anything to me, it's the players I'm playing then I take notice of my cards.


I called someones shove with AKs... and they had J5s heh and he hit the 5 oh well, but we put a note on that player and mind you took his money within the next 10mins with a lil extra.

I've learned a similar lesson myself. When a lot of people are betting significant amounts PREFLOP chances are they have many of the top cards LOCKED UP...in a sense, so many of them will have high cards that the deck will be only full of low cards....if you are the button with a small hand in this kind of position, you can benefit by joining the betting. Chances are, with all those big cards being held in the pcoket, there will be small cards dealt on the flop, turn and river...

punctual said:

I've learned a similar lesson myself. When a lot of people are betting significant amounts PREFLOP chances are they have many of the top cards LOCKED UP...in a sense, so many of them will have high cards that the deck will be only full of low cards....if you are the button with a small hand in this kind of position, you can benefit by joining the betting. Chances are, with all those big cards being held in the pcoket, there will be small cards dealt on the flop, turn and river...

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Sometimes it takes guts to call with 87s with 3-5 shoves before you

Aces2w1n said:

Sometimes it takes guts to call with 87s with 3-5 shoves before you

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Yeah, thats true, but its big risk though.

Aces2w1n said:

Sometimes it takes guts to call with 87s with 3-5 shoves before you

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True, but that's exactly why 98s is valuable in multiway pots. Most of the time you will be playing against overcards and overpairs, so if you make a two pair or better you'll most likely take a huge pot.

Aces2w1n said:

Sometimes it takes guts to call with 87s with 3-5 shoves before you

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Tough for sure because you would expect with so many people calling that one of them would have a pair. It can be a scary thing to do but sometimes worth it if you are deepstacked and will not be taken out of play if it goes bad for you. I like taking risks like that when the risk won't mean my tournament survival or for cash games, that I have to reload.

Easy fold. AK is a good hand against fish, but 3betting solid players with AK will leave you in some uncomfortable spots. If you are not a tricky and skilled postflop player, then just muck it and wait for AA.