ZOOM AK in BB vs button 4bet

On BB vs button I prefer 5bet all on preflop. Play 4bet pot without position is not comfortable because more times You get low cards on flop and when You Play check-call and turn nothing change You give up vs second bet.

That's barely a 4 bet. Is this a standard 4bet size on zoom NL2? I'd either fold now, or 5 bet but once I 5 bet I am not folding. I really don't want to call that 4 bet and then have to play OOP. I swear the only time I am ever happy to see AK is in a tournament.

I could push all in, but I assume that, at best, I'm at 56% ahead or something.

I got 57% if I included a few more bluffs, but you still flipping.

Taking into consideration that people seldomly 4bet bluff

I always think this when I 4 bet AK, am I bluffing or is this value? I keep seeing "The science of AK" in my youtube feed, I should really give it a watch.

If you call the 4bet you need to fold against a Cbet if you miss and that happen often. Read less I would most likely shove pre-flop or villain is tight.

Cheers,
SDK1987

I agree with the others. 5bet shove seems the only option to me

I always think this when I 4 bet AK, am I bluffing or is this value? I keep seeing "The science of AK" in my youtube feed, I should really give it a watch.

I've started to play AK a lot more conservatively lately. Because you seldomly dominate the opponent, it's usually the opposite... So far, it's made a difference to me...

Originally posted by KoningAlbert

I always think this when I 4 bet AK, am I bluffing or is this value? I keep seeing "The science of AK" in my youtube feed, I should really give it a watch.

I've started to play AK a lot more conservatively lately. Because you seldomly dominate the opponent, it's usually the opposite... So far, it's made a difference to me...

What do you mean by "conservatively"? Do you fold it? Or do you delay your decision to fold if you don't hit?
Make the math. If you fold it when you don't hit, what's the maximum you should be paying PF (to 4bet) to make it worth. Then account for the times you go against AA or KK and you hit.
The only reason (for me, ofc) why AK is a premium hand is that it blocks AA and KK. with an A and a K in your hand, is unlikely villain is holding any of the pairs, so you have additional FE.
That's the true strength of AK, if you don't make use of it, start playing it same way you play low pairs for set minning.

Rule of thumb for me, against unknown: I can shove AK, but I won't call a shove with AK.

The only reason (for me, ofc) why AK is a premium hand is that it blocks AA and KK. with an A and a K in your hand, is unlikely villain is holding any of the pairs, so you have additional FE.

For me its this. But I still feel it doesn't work as well in a cash game as it does in a tournament

Originally posted by jiffybag

The only reason (for me, ofc) why AK is a premium hand is that it blocks AA and KK. with an A and a K in your hand, is unlikely villain is holding any of the pairs, so you have additional FE.

For me its this. But I still feel it doesn't work as well in a cash game as it does in a tournament

On tournament I very often busted with AK more times vs pocket pairs heh

Originally posted by aleasy77

Originally posted by jiffybag

The only reason (for me, ofc) why AK is a premium hand is that it blocks AA and KK. with an A and a K in your hand, is unlikely villain is holding any of the pairs, so you have additional FE.

For me its this. But I still feel it doesn't work as well in a cash game as it does in a tournament

On tournament I very often busted with AK more times vs pocket pairs heh

It's kinda stupid, I got AKo vs AQo all in pre for about 300bbs in cash vs big whale. I am also not in the least bit ashamed to admit I closed my eyes before the river was delt. But this is vs a player who I play against regularly and I am familiar with their range and pre flop and post flop tendencies.

I really hate play AK for me one of the most overrated hand on cash games very hard comfortable stack off postflop. And on tournament when I have pocket pair and somebody calls with AK must catch king or ace, so sick.

I wouldn't say I hate AK — of all the unpaired hands, it's the best.
However, it definitely needs some help post-flop. So If I don't get TPTK, or a solid draw, I'll just let it go. If the board is quite dry, and no future cards are going to dramatically alter the flop, I'll CBet, but I won't push it.

I played a few hands with aleasy77 today, was fun, I will post one I played against him tomorrow, but I also saw him play AK....:facepalm: I think you are cursed dude.

It's the neverending debate on how to play AK correctly. Tons of guides and vids discussing this exact hand but there doesn't seem to be one easy answer. As always it depends a lot on the situation (stack sizes, table image of both you and villain)

I like what yangmartins said a lot:

Rule of thumb for me, against unknown: I can shove AK, but I won't call a shove with AK.

Rule of thumb for me, against unknown: I can shove AK, but I won't call a shove with AK.

This is a good rule to live by

Originally posted by jiffybag

Rule of thumb for me, against unknown: I can shove AK, but I won't call a shove with AK.

This is a good rule to live by

Agreed. Only call a shove with AK if you're going to win the hand.

Originally posted by VorpalF2F

Originally posted by jiffybag

Rule of thumb for me, against unknown: I can shove AK, but I won't call a shove with AK.

This is a good rule to live by

Agreed. Only call a shove with AK if you're going to win the hand.

Originally posted by jiffybag
I played a few hands with aleasy77 today, was fun, I will post one I played against him tomorrow, but I also saw him play AK....:facepalm: I think you are cursed dude.

You think about my AK vs AA? AK for me is a troublemaker haha. If I fold every AK preflop on every situation I will have more profit than now.