By Andy Machin
The hand I'm going to talk about in this article is AK,
the Big Slick. Sure, it's a premium starting poker hand
and you don't get dealt it too often. But when you do I
bet you find it hard not to get carried away and think you
now are a huge favorite to win the poker hand, take down
the pot, watch your chip stack grow and give you a boost
towards winning the poker tournament.
Though I advise caution my friend. Being dealt that Big
Slick can just as easily lose you a poker tournament as
it can help you to win it. They key is how you play your
AK. And that's certainly not an all-in push with abandon.
Sure, if you're short stacked and want to make a stand then
it doesn't come much better than AK for making a stand.
However, would you automatically stick all your poker chips
in the middle each time the Big Slick comes your way. Of
course not.
If you look down at your hole poker cards and see AK, take
a brief moment and think about it before rushing to part
with your stack quicker than an F1 car away from the start
line. Review a few things. Are you in early, middle or late
table poker position. What's your poker chip stack size
in relation to your opponents are a couple of questions
you may wish to ponder before acting.
If in early poker position, or there have been no callers
or raisers before it's your turn to act, then there can
be no doubt that you must raise, and raise well, in an attempt
to drive opponents holding lesser poker hands from the pot.
A nice raise of three or four times the big blind is usually
enough. It says you are strong and should force those with
marginal hands or rags to muck their cards instantly.
If in middle to late poker position or the small or big
blind position and there have been raises before you or
perhaps even a re-raise then folding your AK could be the
right thing to do in the context of the poker tournament.
Those raisers ands re-raisers before you could holding big
pairs AA, KK for example. If they do then you're behind
pre-flop even with your Big Slick. The consider folding
argument also applies if you have raised the poker pot from
early position and are subsequently re-raised.
Remember at all times that although your AK looks huge it
is only ace high and unless that improves on the flop then
you are in trouble.
When the flop comes down study it carefully. It is about
a two to one chance that the flop will throw you an A or
a K to give you a pair. If you get no help from the flop
then think very hard about committing any more chips to
the pot. A continuation bet is probably the thing to do
if you are first to act post-flop to represent to your poker
opponents that your pre-flop raise was no joke and the flop
has improved your hand even if it hasn't.
The flip side to that of course is that if the flop has
not improved your poker hand then your AK is beaten by any
player left in who has hit a pair on the flop or was holding
a pair pre-flop. If anyone comes out firing with a tasty
bet post-flop then get out of there and live to fight another
hand. You're still in the poker tournament.
Don't keep throwing in poker chips hoping to hit something
on the turn or river. You will most likely lose them and
possibly even the chance of an in the money finish if your
poker stack is damaged badly by your rush of recklessness.
In summary, when the Big Slick comes along don't get dazzled
by it. Play poker sensibly. Again, remember that it is only
ace high unless improved on the flop. And even if it is
improved by the flop you can still be behind and beaten.
Do not overplay AK. If you think you are behind then fold
and get out. You will still be alive in the tournament to
play some poker and wait for another opportunity to build
your chip stack and finish in the money.
About the Author: By Andy Machin. Get your
FREE poker Ebook from freepokerebook.co.uk
right now! - Source: isnare.com
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