[cartmansrealdad]

hellllooooo

I am quite new to poker and have been playin Texas for about 6 months online. I have been playing a lot of freerols and very small tables (5c), but my problem is whenever i get dealt AK my eyes light up and i tend to go mad and start raising and re-raising which more often than not i end up losing.

So please any suggestions would be grateful

[kaibobble]

The biggest problem with ace king is that people just can't lay it down. If you don't hit the flop remember you only have ace high. Someone could have called with 7 2 and if they hit even a 2 they are in front.

My advice is to play it stong but don't be afraid to pass it if you hand doesn't improve on the flop.
_________________
AWOP MODERATOR - TEAM BOBBLE

[snappit]

I have always thought AK is one of the most overated hands there is. Much of this is due to to programmes like WPT, where the commentators get as excited as John Motson after a winner is scored in injury time of the cup final, every time it is dealt. As has been said all it is is Ace high.

How I play it depends a lot on position at the table and my read of other players. In late position I will normally raise and possibly reraise with it and see how others respond. If I encounter a reraise I can quite easily lay it down. In early position I like to play it gently and try and see the flop cheaply.

The problem with it comes when the flop is dealt. Again in late position if it is checked to me I will normally bet it again even if I don't hit. You will often take the pot. If you encounter resistance be very careful as it is likely someone already has the pair or could be drawing to a hand.

With AK what you really want is a king high flop with no draws. If an ace is on the flop you might want to put a bet out to find out where you are, but be careful. The reason is that in the lower stakes people tend to call with any ace, therefore it is quite likely someone has hit two pair. Be particularly careful if there is a Jack or ten on board. In lower stakes people will call with AJ, A10, as you move up the stakes and the standard gets better these hands will generally (but not always) be mucked to a preflop raise.

In tournaments don't call all in bets with it in the early stages. Remember you will be a dog to any pair and it is not worth risking an early exit. In the latter stages you might want to risk it as smaller stacks will often make moves with the likes of AQ, AJ and A10.

As with any hand experience and the situation at the time will guide you.

With AK I am more than happy just to take the blinds. I would hazard a guess that, with the probable exception of AQ, more money is lost with AK than any other hand.

In general it is a hand which is a good hand to be the aggressor with but, if you encounter resitance you have to consider laying it down

Don't forget the hand is known as Anna Kournikova ( looks pretty but seldom wins).

[Keith The Great]

AK Hmmm when i get these cards on a ttable woteva the stakes are and dpending on your stack of chips, i try to bet big preflop and scare the muppets out who call with 910 72 56 etc etc if no1 calls then like snappit said be happy taking the blinds and 1 or 2 people call the odds are they got quite high cards or a pair, when the flop comes for example 9 5 10 i will go all in as both my cards are over and the opponants cards probably are 2...it wont always work or you may think my way is wrong but 7 times out of 10 it works for me and may work for you, good luck anyway m8 with however you play them
_________________
"If Poker was a Game of Skill, I'd Win every time...."

[The Chaser]

AK is a more powerful hand in no limit than it is in pot limit...however as a result it is probably overplayed more than any other hand in no limit poker...it is ace high at the end of the day and if you miss a flop it can and should be easily discarded...Anna Kournakova is the best description....caution is advised
_________________
Flair for show nutz for dough...better to be lucky than good

[P.Nut]

[Keith The Great]

it works for me now and if it stops working THEN i will learn my lesson
_________________
"If Poker was a Game of Skill, I'd Win every time...."

[dik9]

anna kournikova!!! will someone inform the new POKER PLAYER magazine and tell them it is also called this because of her initials!! Poker Player said it was KIng Queen that was the Anna Kournakova PMSL good start!!

[Keith The Great]

LOL
_________________
"If Poker was a Game of Skill, I'd Win every time...."

[mary hinge]