AK 150bb deep

Hi MasochisticDesire,

I believe that the main problem here is preflop, best play would be to flat it preflop vs unknown who opens from UTG. This way we have more control on flops like this one, and we can easily call it off without being scared like in this situation where we actually beat only flush draw 99% of the time. So I say, flat it PF together with TT-JJ hands when facing an UTG open from unknown or tight player and you'll be fine.

I appreciate the post Frankie, thanks.

Flatting pre certainly makes navigating post flop a lot easier and I must admit I hadn't even considered it an option though I still have my concerns. That is not to say I disregard your advice, quit the contrary, but I do hope to understand and consider it fully.

So, pros and cons of flatting pre -

Pros:
Avoid inflating pot OOP vs unknown /
less likely to overplay TPTK post flop
Well disguised hand

Cons:
Allow the BB in for the ride
Risk not extracting max from weaker non pair hands that I dominate
Not taking the betting lead so often lead us to play fit or fold with potentially best hand –
off-suit as well so doesn’t play well OOP without imitative pre

Irrespective of any specific flop, can you give me your arguments to prioritise flatting pre in this spot?

As played pre what line do you think suitable and what would be your response facing his min rasie?

Thanks Frankie and anyone else that cares to drop in.

MD

Originally posted by FFRRAANNKKIIEE
Hi MasochisticDesire,

I believe that the main problem here is preflop, best play would be to flat it preflop vs unknown who opens from UTG. This way we have more control on flops like this one, and we can easily call it off without being scared like in this situation where we actually beat only flush draw 99% of the time. So I say, flat it PF together with TT-JJ hands when facing an UTG open from unknown or tight player and you'll be fine.

Tbh flatting in SB isn't a great spot. I would flat it in BB but SB is clear 3bet spot because if BB joins is we are always 1st to act multiway and can make things hard. And to be fair I don't think you should even have a cold call range in SB vs any position apart from BTN.

Rihard

Hey dude,

As I standard I flat AK/QQ preflop v an unknown UTG. So for me this is a call pre as well. Then obviously tweak once you get a few reads.

When we 3bet I'd probably check the flop. Rihard made a few pretty good posts in this thread which I think apply quite well here.

As played ugh. I'm really not sure lol, if it was me in game I'm pretty sure I'd call and x/c on decent runouts... But I'm a station.

Like this spot as aggressor preflop I don't like to cbet, because:

1. This flop hits UTG range very hard.
2. You are OOP vs tight range.

Best play I guess would be passive x/c all streets. Especially on blank turn & river. It gets harder if heart comes on turn or river. At least when we decide to x/c villain can have more bluffs in his range, like heart draws and straight draws. Plus he could have Jx that he would check back flop and then decide to value bet turn and river or only river.

So yeah, passive line is better.

Rihard

hi guys,

I believe you should definitely not be afraid of BB entering the pot, in some cases BB could be an aggro player who likes to squeze wide, then it would be even better to call, and if he squeezes he will make work for you to see how strong UTG is, if UTG folds we are happy to 4bet vs BB. This was just one of the examples which can occur. Many times, BB will just flat as well because he gets the good price, still I don't know why is that so bad, we are holding AK, we shouldn't be afraid to play small pot 3-way, to me it seems so much more attractive option then 3betting unknown's UTG range, we can run into his 4 bet so much time, and we will be in very uncomfortable spot while he can easily hold AQ, AK as well, or lower pair QQ and down- and against this range we can play super well post-flop.

I'm still sure flatting is the best option here, even though, we are in the SB.

Hope it makes sense,
Fran

3/5betting betting UTG with AK at NL10 is slightly -EV, so call pre, unless UTG is a fish. Postflop you should call his raise, folding TPTK is in a 3bet pot is too weak unless you have reads. I would just call down any card but Q or heart but you can probably find an exploitative fold on the turn if he bets again.

If he doesn't raise I would just bet/bet/bet

Originally posted by FFRRAANNKKIIEE
hi guys,

I believe you should definitely not be afraid of BB entering the pot, in some cases BB could be an aggro player who likes to squeze wide, then it would be even better to call, and if he squeezes he will make work for you to see how strong UTG is, if UTG folds we are happy to 4bet vs BB. This was just one of the examples which can occur. Many times, BB will just flat as well because he gets the good price, still I don't know why is that so bad, we are holding AK, we shouldn't be afraid to play small pot 3-way, to me it seems so much more attractive option then 3betting unknown's UTG range, we can run into his 4 bet so much time, and we will be in very uncomfortable spot while he can easily hold AQ, AK as well, or lower pair QQ and down- and against this range we can play super well post-flop.

I'm still sure flatting is the best option here, even though, we are in the SB.

Hope it makes sense,
Fran

I still don't agree, but too tired to argue.