Something I do not quite understand!

Alright, I am not sure if this should be in the learning poker section, but then again I think it has enough dynamic to be a little past that.

This is all preflop action.
So I often see top players folding their AK suited or off when there is a 3 or 4 bet in front of them. But at the same time with decent stacks, I see them shoving with AK(s/o). What is the difference in playing it when there are 3-4 raisers in front of you. I think it would be outrageous to assume that two of them have both AA and KK. How often can you assume an opponent has KK or AA when you have AK?

So what is the difference in opening a pot with a hand, and calling/re-raising a raise? Why would it be a mistake calling with AK to a 3 bet, but not a mistake to shove with AK?

Thank you for anybody who has the time to clear this up for me, because this whole concept in poker hasn't been explained to me thus far.
Also, please give me an overview of what position would matter in this case, and cases similar to this (say you have AQs or QQ?).
Thanks again for anybody who knows and can answer this clearly!

when you call you have no fold equity

when you shove you have fold equity ie you can win without even showing your cards

Many factors to consider if calling with AK to a 3bet is bad or shoving with AK is ok.

As mention by TeUnit, one is fold equity. Others would be table dynamics, opponent persona, etc.

So your action really depends on many factors.

IMO it also got something to do with how good is your ability to read the opponent.

Some player do donk a lot even with some marginal hand,so it up for you to decipher their move.

with a 3-bet or 4-bet in front, I would probably lay it down as well only if it came from big stack players. Most of these big stacks will only give up or risk their entire stack with monster hands like aa or kk and even qq
If it came from small stacks or stacks less than mine, im always shoving.

Poker theory can only get you so far.

It depends on who is giving you the 3-bet. I live on the small-ball strategy in tournaments until the final table. So shoving without out a made hand such as AK or AQ is a tricky situation. If I see a guy who has shoved with marginal hands such as QT, AJ, KQ previously and he is the one 3-betting me preflop, I might consider shoving back at him. If I get 3-bet by a guy who I have seen play tight and premium hands, It's 90% my AK is getting mucked whether it is suited or not. The only two exceptions would be if I had a read, and how much of my stack I had committed to the original raise previously.

AA or KK have a high win probability against 1 other player in comparison to playing vs 3 or 4 players were AA or KK is much less of a favorite to win. Hence, this is why you need to bet (or 3bet, whatever the situation) preflop to try to get other players out of the hand so you can get HU.

DonV73 said:

AA or KK have a high win probability against 1 other player in comparison to playing vs 3 or 4 players were AA or KK is much less of a favorite to win. Hence, this is why you need to bet (or 3bet, whatever the situation) preflop to try to get other players out of the hand so you can get HU.

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Of course it all depends I don't mind when I for example shove AA and get 4 callers, my equity will drop down in this case but cause you can qaudruple up, you still have way enough equity to make it profitable.

Also I don't want to be an ass ,but the best of the best in the world start to openlimp way more hands again to balance that range as well including sometimes AA.

MasterOfDisaster said:

...openlimp way more hands again to balance that range as well including sometimes AA.

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I agree, I do that too if there are lots of aggressive players behind me for example. And you don't want to play the same way everytime either. So the above was a general rule of advice

another bet I don't understand and see it quite often is the one blind raise preflop were is the value or the strength to force a fold. what is the reason and so many players do it?

Probably cause the other opponent has a made hand and position, or just position. Plus a lot of those guys have played together before and know eachothers habits.