New to forum - Advice!

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Flange9

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Hi everyone, I have been playing holdem on and off for 4 years, but more frequently in the past 6 months so not new to the game, but not exactly experienced either so hoping to get as much help from this site as possible!
My current dilemma is playing Ace King pre and post flop. Sorry to come across as a novice, but I seem to make rash decisions as a) sometimes play a little too aggressively and end up commiting over 50% of stack pre-flop and b) play too passively and allow connectors or other hands overtake me. What can I do to minimise rash decisions and maximise money made?
 
Debi

Debi

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The best thing you can do is post some hand histories when you get AK in the tournament hand analysis forum. (or cash if you play cash).

Leave out the results until the discussion is over.

As is your question is too general to answer - it is situational.
 
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stevertrmurray

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Just remember that a pr of 2's is a better hand than AK.... AK is a stronger than goats breath but if you have to determine whether or not you can force someone out with a "its better to win a small pot than lose a big one" attitude. AK is only good if you hit one of those 7 outs or the broadway draw....
 
dj11

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If you are the math geek...do the maths.

If not, then you need to play a gazzilion hands in order to understand the gut feelings you have so far decided to ignore because your cards look so good in that bikini.....:rolleyes:
 
Arjonius

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Just remember that a pr of 2's is a better hand than AK.... AK is a stronger than goats breath but if you have to determine whether or not you can force someone out with a "its better to win a small pot than lose a big one" attitude. AK is only good if you hit one of those 7 outs or the broadway draw....
22 is slightly ahead of AK mathematically, but that's not the only consideration. For example, unless you're all in or pot-committed right away, there's playability, both immediately and on subsequent streets. With AK, it's often easier to 3bet and/or to cbet, which means you're more likely to win pots when you hold the mathematically inferior hand.
 
duggs

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22 is slightly ahead of AK mathematically, but that's not the only consideration. For example, unless you're all in or pot-committed right away, there's playability, both immediately and on subsequent streets. With AK, it's often easier to 3bet and/or to cbet, which means you're more likely to win pots when you hold the mathematically inferior hand.

+1

this is a really fundamental point, AK will end up with more equity than 22 v most ranges postflop. ie Q 7 4, vs a calling range of 88/99/1010/JJ/QJ/Q10 AK has equity on the turn and river where as 22 is virtually drawing dead.
 
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GWU73

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AK is usually ok to play very aggressively with pre flop but if you get to a stack decision (25% of the smaller stack is going in) pre flop you need to shove or fold. Do not get 1/2 your stack in and fold the flop. I am 90% willing to get all in pre flop with AK. You are only dead vs. AA and you are not that horrendously far behind KK. All other Ax you dominate. All other Kx you dominate. All other PP are a slight favorite, but most cannot call all in pre flop profitably against a strong range. Which you should have (AA, KK, AK and very rarely vs. the right guy or short handed QQ, or AQ)

It is also ok to flat call a raise with AK if you are not comfortable putting a lot in with a drawing hand. You do force yourself to hit the flop that way though.
 
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