No Limit Quiz # 8 (Playing AK suited)

[Nima]

This hand is from an actual live game that I played myself:

You are small blind holding A:spades:K:spades: in an aggressive and fairly loose 9 player table. ($2/$5 blinds) ($400 stack)

3 players limp. Player on the button (solid player) raises to $25 (very standard raise for the table)...

You re-raise to $60. Everyone except one limper calls. Player on the button goes all in.

What do you do? (he has you covered in chips as well).

[PyroWar]

I'd first wonder what table image you have been projecting the whole game. Does the button think you have been playing loose/aggressive or tight/passive? If you're viewed as loose/aggressive, I'd call. Otherwise, I'd consider folding.

[Nima]

Button had a good amount of respect for me.

[Matt]

I would call, but only if I think my opponent would move all-in with QQ. If that's the case, it's less likely that he has AA or KK since you hold one of each card. You're only really screwed if he holds AA. AK will beat KK about 30% of the time. The fact that you're suited also adds value to your hand. If he would only move in with AA or KK, then you should fold.

[Mr.Fivestring]

I agree with Matt's assesment. It is tough call that you may make with a cringe on your face, but it is probably the right move. Also, with three limpers, you have to ask if that the first $25 raise is really indicative of someone who is trying to protect AA or KK. I would begrudingly call and hope for the best.

[Nima]

Well, he raised to $25 and i raised it another $60 (to $85). one of the limpers called and he went all in.

I guess i was 75% sure he had AA or KK. At worst I put him on QQ or AK. I think I personally tend to overvalue AKs in cash games. I think it should be played stronger in tournaments and less risky in cash games...

I looked at the NL Holdem by David Sklansky too, he says call with AKs even against the tightest players when they go all in preflop...

Nima,

[Matt]

I've been playing around with PokerStove and I started thinking about this hand. Assuming that your opponent's range is AA-QQ, you will only win about 34% of the time with AKs. You need about 2-1 pot odds for a correct call. With both blinds and two limpers already in the pot for $60 dollars each (plus another limper's original $5 call), the pot contains $245. Add in your bet and the pot contains $305. The button calls your $35 and raises an additional $325 to put you all in. If my math is correct, you're calling $340 to win $665. You're not getting quite the right odds for a call if your read is correct. If he would move in with AKs or AKo (not likely), you can call. Your reads will never be 100% correct, so you're in big trouble if he'll only move in with AA or KK. With this new information in mind, I think folding is the right move.

[Nima]

Yes,
I think it was incorrect to call...

Specially given the fact that I should have known he probably wouldnt go ALL IN even with QQ (given his play and my image at the table)

Nima.

[chewyshoe]

I'd fold that hand - Matt's view is pretty much spot on.

[MJPerry]

If he's a solid player he's not making this 4-bet all in with anything you beat.

AA and KK have you crushed, and QQ is fairly dominating also. He's not shoving with JJ or AQ so it's a fold.

[davidab157]

I snap call.

I think you see AK alot and there's a ton of dead money in the pot which makes it far too juicy to avoid a flip.

[davidab157]

If he would move in with AKs or AKo (not likely)

Why not? I think that's the most likely holding.

[tsrumler]

I also agree that it should be a fold, even though I probably would have trouble getting away from it. I hate commiting my whole stack on AK, especially when you see your opponent turn over one of your cards, only PAIRED. So I am kinda torn in this one. It would have to depend on the history of the player and a few other factors.

[TheBigFootball]

If he is a solid player like you said I would fold. AK suited is a very strong hand but against any smaller pair you still loose if the cards don't come out right. If he really has a good game then a pair is the thing I would say he has!

Although I love NL I don't really enjoy situations with all-ins when your chips are covered as it might waste your hours of playing in 2 minutes.

[pokerbeef]

FIrst, you put yourself in a very difficult position re-raising. There is an old saying in poker that 2 or more raises pre flop means aces or kings. I believe you put too much value on AK suited, and should have called the 25 and not re-raised. With a hand like AK, you do want to see a flop, but don't forget that (obviously it depends on the table) that you may be putting yourself in a situation where you'll only be called/raised if you are beat.

BEEF