How should I have played this?

[robbm18]

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) (Format: ITH Forums)

Hero ($22.75)
BB ($25.80)
UTG ($22.75)
MP ($91.80)
CO ($50.60)
Button ($25)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
UTG calls $0.25, MP raises to $1.1, 2 folds, Hero calls $1, 1 fold, UTG folds.

Flop: ($2.70) , , (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $2.15, Hero calls $2.15.

Turn: ($7) (2 players)

Final Pot: $7

He bet like $5 on the turn and I didnt think I was beating much in this spot so I folded.


I didn't wanna reraise him PF given my position, and was worried about betting into him on a scary flop like that. I had only played a few hands at the table so I didn't have a read on the guy.

What should I have done?

He ended up showing his hand which was:






66. Big bluff.

[bigredchef]

the problem I see with how the hand was played is we have no idea where we stand. I don't really mind the PF call with AKo OOP, but I think you need to CR the flop. I think I'd raise it to about $7.50 or $8 or so and see what he does afterwards.

As played, I think the turn fold is reasonable

BRC

[el Pepe]

I would usually 3-bet PF because I don't like to "waste" my AK just to see the flop and probably check-fold from OOP when missed. I like to be the aggressor so I can win the pot when he misses the flop if he calls my reraise.

Then again if you just call, you can get weaker ace to put more money in the pot if you flop an A. The downside is what just happened in this hand. I like the check-raise on flop that bigredchef suggested.

[emmapeel]

Since villain is in MP I'm re-raising to about $3.50 pre-flop. MP should have a wide enough range here for this play to have value.

The flop is scarey and a lot of MP's hands are now ahead: AA,KK, JJ , 99 or KJ are all possible and all have us in big trouble. I think I like the call here.

On the turn villain bet into an even scarier board so I like the fold here.

EP

[emmapeel]

Villains bluff seems terrible. What hand would call this flop but then fold to a bluff on the turn? He's representing TT or something so a good player might fold but I'm sure most players won't and continue with their draws or two pair+ hands. Showing the bluff here isn't good either.

EP

[jaydreb]

I'm re-raising preflop. You miss out on a lot of value with AK by just calling. You won't be able to get much value out of hands like 88-QQ on later streets if an Ace or King flops. Plus, Villain will be folding most of his hands to your 3-bet.

That said, flat-calling isn't bad. I just don't think it maximizes the value of your hand. (If you had a read that Villain was a total nit, then flatting or even folding would be the optimal play).


As played, I like check-calling flop. This isn't a great flop with which to play a big pot. If you check-raise, you're narrowing his range to hands that beat you.

Check-fold turn. If Villain is capable of turning a pocket pair <99 into a bluff, then nh sir and make a note.