how play when i hold AK in MTT?

qia1989

qia1989

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
May 6, 2010
Total posts
149
Chips
0
i am so confused when i have AK, it was often beat by small piar in my hand, are there some different play ways in different part of MTT,i like AA or KK but i hate AK,
can someone who play well with AK in MTT tell me that what should i do:icon_thum :icon_thum
 
G

godoy

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 23, 2008
Total posts
126
Chips
0
It depends of what part of the tournament, what position, size of stack, but generally in the beggining I dont use to play a lot of aks
 
S

suraj128

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Total posts
80
Chips
0
AK is a very strong hand and can be played many different ways all depending on where you are in the mtt, stacks, position. I like to treat it as a big pair up until someone stays in the hand and shows strength and if I missed the flop completely but depending on the flop you can show strength to make a lot of mid-low pairs laydown with AK. The key is to play it strong but dont over commit with it either, too many people will call off all their chips pre flop with AK.
 
norriscjn

norriscjn

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Total posts
308
Chips
0
I like to raise 3x big blind atleast cuz the odds are i am in the lead with this hand starting out. Then i like to value bet it to see if they call if i dont hit.
 
qia1989

qia1989

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
May 6, 2010
Total posts
149
Chips
0
AK is a very strong hand and can be played many different ways all depending on where you are in the mtt, stacks, position
Click to expand...
can you give one or two example to show me ,thanks.
 
slycbnew

slycbnew

Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Total posts
2,876
Chips
0
Here are a couple of related threads:

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/overplaying-a-k-83363/ - look for post #18 from AlienGenius in particular.

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/general-poker-13/bigslick-over-rated-161237/

These threads aren't specific to MTT's, but you can extrapolate some basic ideas from them.

Remember that we're not playing cards, we're playing poker. Flopping the best hand obviously makes poker a lot easier, but there are a lot of considerations beyond flopping the best hand - stack to pot ratio, for example, has a huge impact on how a hand will be played - if you're shortstacked, you're not going to be worried about turn and river play, you're only interested in preflop and the flop. As another example, if you're UTG at a 9handed table, you're at a serious positional disadvantage - there are hands that you'll play in CO or on the BTN that you would fold immediately UTG.

AK is a hand, though, that you'll open from any position, because it's just that strong. If you cbet UTG w AK on a 9c8h7c flop and start getting a ton of action behind you, you're likely not to continue, depending on the number of opponents and the amount of action.

However, the general question is just too vague to really give any solid advice on. But imo this question generally stems from not understanding the difference between playing cards and playing poker, if you get my meaning. :)
 
qia1989

qia1989

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
May 6, 2010
Total posts
149
Chips
0
slycbnew said:
Here are a couple of related threads:

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/overplaying-a-k-83363/ - look for post #18 from AlienGenius in particular.

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/general-poker-13/bigslick-over-rated-161237/

These threads aren't specific to MTT's, but you can extrapolate some basic ideas from them.

Remember that we're not playing cards, we're playing poker. Flopping the best hand obviously makes poker a lot easier, but there are a lot of considerations beyond flopping the best hand - stack to pot ratio, for example, has a huge impact on how a hand will be played - if you're shortstacked, you're not going to be worried about turn and river play, you're only interested in preflop and the flop. As another example, if you're UTG at a 9handed table, you're at a serious positional disadvantage - there are hands that you'll play in CO or on the BTN that you would fold immediately UTG.

AK is a hand, though, that you'll open from any position, because it's just that strong. If you cbet UTG w AK on a 9c8h7c flop and start getting a ton of action behind you, you're likely not to continue, depending on the number of opponents and the amount of action.

However, the general question is just too vague to really give any solid advice on. But imo this question generally stems from not understanding the difference between playing cards and playing poker, if you get my meaning. :)
Click to expand...
thanks very much ,slycbnew,i should read it carefully and study hard:D
 
dj11

dj11

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Total posts
23,189
Awards
9
Chips
0
slycbnew said:
Remember that we're not playing cards, we're playing poker. :)
Click to expand...


^^^^^

Possibly the most important thing you will read in this thread....

If you blindly approach the game playing only cards, you can expect to win , over time, exactly 1/9 (9 seats at the table) of your hands, and if all nine were only playing cards no one would win anything.
 
Last edited:
Dreams of Tragedy

Dreams of Tragedy

dreamsoftragedy.com
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Total posts
1,573
Chips
0
I nornaly raise 4x the big blind if some one calls then there a good chance they have pocket pair or something like A,Q or A,J if the flop comes and it get check to you I would open up but if someone call it then there a good chance that you are drawing dead. When the turn hits and you did not hit your mark I would just check to see if he bets, if he does then I would fold there.
 
kmixer

kmixer

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Total posts
2,936
Chips
0
You should not be playing AK. What I mean to say is the cards shouldnt have an impact. Once you look at your hand and decide you are going to play it then you should be playing the situation. What position are you in? Are there other people in the pot. Have they limped. is there a raise and a re raise in front of you and you are on the button. See how little the cards matter once you make these other things the top priority.

If I were to tell you that I raised 4xBB from UTG and in another hand 3XBB form the button. Which hand would you expect to be stronger. If a few hands later I raise 5xBB from UTG would you think I was stronger than the last time. If so then you are finding holes in my game. If I am doing this you will eventually beat me. If I don't do these things then I will be able to take down pots uncontested with 63o

I went a little of on a tangent there but you get the idea. Play the players and the situation and make the cards an after thought.
 
Tom1559

Tom1559

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Total posts
1,701
Awards
1
Chips
0
AK is a very strong hand but there is no right or wrong way to play it. From early position I would raise at least 3.5 and probably 4 BB's. If you get a caller look on it as a positive because you want to build a big pot. Regardless of the pot you have to bet at least half pot. What happens after that depends on the other guy.
 
Top