Kate: "I've called his check-raise with nothing"

In today's episode of Kate & Walter our heroine takes a stand against a check-raise in spectacular fashion. Will Walter support her reasoning?

Kate: Hey Walter!

I'm particularly proud of this hand! I've open-raised AK from UTG and got called by a regular in the Big Blind.

Since I'm dominating his range, I'm making a lot of continuation bets. Though he check-raises I don't really believe he's strong here. He's probably aware that I'm not open-raising with 22 and 33.

Therefore, only TT remains in my range when it comes to possible sets. Overall, TT+ and flush draws constitute only a small part of my range (28%) and he gives himself a lot of fold equity (72%).

Luckily, I was able to recognise that with AK I'm not helpless with on turn and river. After all, any hearts, as well as aces and kings, should be outs for me.

On the river, I was really eager to make a tilt-inducing bet of $5.50. In the end, I thought the move would be a bit too insane. After all, there are also flushes in his range and I don't know if I could really call another check-raise by him. Maybe that's the only blemish in this hand!

Walter: Hey Kate!

I'm not sure if it's any of my concern but before discussing that hand I'd like to give you some valuable feedback on your outfit.

It breaches the classic top-bottom-rule! Usually, you should either show some more skin on top or a bit more below—not both. The current combination is just too revealing.

With that out of the way, let's discuss your hand. Unfortunately, I have to choose clear words this time: "No! No! No!". You've become a victim of the fancy-play-syndrome and you just can't lose. Of course, in some parts of life this "Fight on and never give up!" mentality can be very useful. However, in a poker hand it leads to defeat.

There's no reason at all to assume that your opponent could be regularly attacking your UTG range in this spot. Your continuation bet strategy should be geared towards not having to call a check-raise with AKs in order to turn your opponent's random bluffs -EV.

It's also very important to avoid consequential errors once you've made a strategic mistake. You're trying to fight fire with fire when attacking once again here. Your opponents are exploiting weaknesses in your c-bet strategy? Then simply change it instead of trying to justify your old strategy with pointless moves. That's how you play with a game plan!

Kate: Oh wow! That really hit me hard. I will definitely put some thought into it, also into your remarks on my outfit. By the way, somewhere nearby a new ski hall just opened up and there will be a snow ball tournament on the weekend. Would you like to go there together?

Walter: That sounds really cool, but I'm afraid I have to decline once again. I've made plans with some friends for this weekend. I can't really go into detail but it involves a train and a fuel tank. I'll call you afterwards, though. Promise!

What do you think? Does the showdown justify Kate's play? Did she really dismantle her opponent with precision? Quick exercise: Is aahayo's outfit (see hand video) breaching the top-bottom-rule?

Previous episodes

• Kate & Tony: Check-raise on the flop a good idea?
• Kate & Tony: Is her huge bluff an overkill?
• Kate & Tony: Is her hero-call with K2o too insane?
• Kate & Walter: Feeling lost in a 3-bet pot

If you're interested in playing with a game plan, feel free to take a look at our best beginner strategies!