I am fairly new to the game but grasp it well and understand many of the important aspects of it, I am far from a competent player so would like others opinions on the matter. Many times I have found my self in the position of raising AK and being re raised, I am then left with the decision whether to re raise or to shove when I have under 10 BB. Many times if I shove I am called with a medium pocket pair and beaten after I do not catch an Ace or a king. I feel this hand could be slightly over rated but would like others opinions of it and seeing if I have been playing it wrong or could play it any other way?

I also understand there is times a call is the correct play but feel like if I do not hit OTF I either have to fold or barrel.

Would really appreciate some input on this.

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Moved from Poker Theory

Sorry couldn't find where was the best for it, thanks

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Welcome to poker! We all hope you enjoy your trek into this game. Your question is seemingly pretty simple but ... as you will find out .. in poker, "It depends."

In the spot you describe, 10bb stack, you are always shoving into a raise if not shoving yourself to begin with. You 'should' be called by any pocket pair, other Ax hands or even KQ/KJs type of hands. These are commonly known as 'flips' and you are about 50% to win these.

Why are you playing so short stacked? Are you playing cash or tournament?

You may have a style that is easy for your opponents to read but if you are playing so short a lot of the time these types of hands are just 'normal' ... and not really a way to show good results.

It would be better to post a hand with more detail that can be looked at. Review some of the other posts and look at their formats. DO NOT GIVE the results of the hand in your initial post as it will skew the posts .. if you even get any.

Although AK is a 'powerful' hand you don't want to play it in a fashion where everyone 'sees' that you have it. You are 30% to hit the Flop, but you still 'only' have Ace-high or 1-pair most of the time so don't over-play it. GL

Thanks for the answer, I have began playing tournament but the 10BB I described was in a turbo sit n go, I understand the hand had very good post flop potential and at that stack size should always be a shove, I just feel it doesn't win enough for me for a 'premium starting hand', however I do like it In a deep stack situation, maybe it's just not my lucky hand.
Thanks for the answer appreciated

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Get a tracker so you can compare reality to your feelings. You're probably winning more with AK than you think.

Something like poker tracker? Or would you recommend anything else


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you should be delighted to stack off with AK for 10 bb or less

I use HEM (Holdem Manager) but they're both fine. They both have 30 day trials (I think) so you can use one then the other and see which you prefer.

Many people use Poker Tracker 4 or Hold Em Manager 2.

10bb or less:

- You are almost always open shoving or folding if action folds to you. AK is a shove.

- If there is action to you, you call or shove. AK is almost always a shove.