Creepy Jackalope
Rock Star
Silver Level
There isn't a "one size fits all" strategy for any hand really. Hands like AK, QQ, JJ, TT and even AQ etc. seem to stand out because they are good starting hands but many players take them too far too often and they start to look like losers after a while.
It's all very situation and opponent dependant. I think every person that has ever played this game had ended up asking the same question you are. The answer is to study the game further.
Learn about types of players, how to identify them, and how to discern the optimal lines to take against them. Then you will have a better understanding of how to play these hands.
It's not the cards getting you into trouble, it's that you don't have a good understanding of the players you're facing and is likely compounded by lack of experience in these situations. Education and practice is the only remedy. We've all been there. We all still are, just at different stages of development.
It's all very situation and opponent dependant. I think every person that has ever played this game had ended up asking the same question you are. The answer is to study the game further.
Learn about types of players, how to identify them, and how to discern the optimal lines to take against them. Then you will have a better understanding of how to play these hands.
It's not the cards getting you into trouble, it's that you don't have a good understanding of the players you're facing and is likely compounded by lack of experience in these situations. Education and practice is the only remedy. We've all been there. We all still are, just at different stages of development.
T
TheNoobie
Rock Star
Silver Level
I play them aggressive. You need to understand that even if it is a premium hand, if you dont hit the flop you need to fold, because you can get beaten up by 2 3o. Whats the right play? Raise pre-flop, but if you dont hit the flop you need to cut it out. So if you fold it more when you dont hit the flop, it will not be that much of a loss, since you will not be risking a lot. You cant just keep calling/raising just because you got a premium hand. If you are shortstacked you'd be better off all in. Actually, if the raise costs you more than 1/3 of your chips, you better go all in, since you wont be having much of a post-flop play with that amount of chips. Im sure youre playing it well, just fold it when it makes no sense playing it.
DrazaFFT
public static void
Bronze Level
Im not 100% sure but i think that AK is also a loosing hand for me, i think on a sample of 4k cash hands that i tracked with poker pal im 2 bucks down, and i think that i have been dealt with it about 30 times...
All poker hands are trouble if you dont know how to play them, and phrase AK=Anna Kournikova, looks good but never wins is made by loosing players...
Few things you have to be aware to play AK profitable, first of all AK is not nuts and AK is not a made hand and AK still need to connect to be a winning hand, it will not happen often, actually it will happen roughly once in a three times... With that hand you want to have position on your opponent to play it profitable if you play them oop you cant control pot size and you can find out much about your opponent strength...
Be ready to fold AK if you only have overcards on flop but also be ready to play them aggressive if you are facing opponents who c-bet all their opens etc... Most of the mentioned and a lot more situation turns AK profitable if you have more info and notes on your opponents, or hud, so dont bash AK or JJ or small pocket pair just because you loosing with them, it is not cards fault that you went allin preflop with them, it is your and only your fault (just an example to make the point, not suggesting anything
)
All poker hands are trouble if you dont know how to play them, and phrase AK=Anna Kournikova, looks good but never wins is made by loosing players...
Few things you have to be aware to play AK profitable, first of all AK is not nuts and AK is not a made hand and AK still need to connect to be a winning hand, it will not happen often, actually it will happen roughly once in a three times... With that hand you want to have position on your opponent to play it profitable if you play them oop you cant control pot size and you can find out much about your opponent strength...
Be ready to fold AK if you only have overcards on flop but also be ready to play them aggressive if you are facing opponents who c-bet all their opens etc... Most of the mentioned and a lot more situation turns AK profitable if you have more info and notes on your opponents, or hud, so dont bash AK or JJ or small pocket pair just because you loosing with them, it is not cards fault that you went allin preflop with them, it is your and only your fault (just an example to make the point, not suggesting anything
)
Propane Goat
Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't
Moderator
I know AK is a loser for me, I've reduced this somewhat though since I stopped playing them like AA and being ready to fold on the flop if I don't get help.
I don't know if it's a good play long-term, but I've also been folding AK pre if there are 2 or more all-ins from tightish players, I'm not short, and I would have to risk most or all of my stack if I called.
Short-term, doing this has kept me out of a lot of trouble. For example, if there's a raise in EP, and I either call or 3-bet, then somebody in later position shoves and the original raiser calls or re-shoves. AK is a flip at best here against two non-PP hands, and with that kind of action you're probably already way behind pre-flop.
With a short stack though, AK is more than good enough to shove in pre.
I don't know if it's a good play long-term, but I've also been folding AK pre if there are 2 or more all-ins from tightish players, I'm not short, and I would have to risk most or all of my stack if I called.
Short-term, doing this has kept me out of a lot of trouble. For example, if there's a raise in EP, and I either call or 3-bet, then somebody in later position shoves and the original raiser calls or re-shoves. AK is a flip at best here against two non-PP hands, and with that kind of action you're probably already way behind pre-flop.
With a short stack though, AK is more than good enough to shove in pre.
