Sunday night about 1:15 am there is only 3 tables of 1/2 running and we are 7 handed.

Utg fold
OMC in MP1 raises to 12. Hasn't done anything crazy. Showed down a couple straights and two pairs. Caught stabbing a few times but got away from it fairly cheap. Sitting on 240 or so.
Two folds and I look down at AK and elect to flat. I cover. The table has been pretty passive mostly limping to flop. Is this a raise or is my flat okay here. My thoughts are if he hits a weak ace I can get some value where as if I raise I fold him out.

Folda to BB who has been very active. Has called every single one of my raises PF and if checked to.him he stabs every time. Sometimes over betting the pot. He's stuck about 400 and just rebought for 100. He raises to 35.

OMC flats. As do i. Thoughts on this? Raise or Flat? I don't think I'm ever folding.

Flop come 57j

BB jams for 65. OMC folds.

So I miss here. I need to call 65 to win 170. Thoughts

Original flat is fine. Shove over the 3bet.

AP call.

I'm not a fan of the first flat, but I understand why you did it. Second time around, after OMC flats, I probably raise to isolate. OMC is rarely flatting w/ AA or KK there.

As played against this guy, calling is fine.

Once OMC calls the 35 I'd jam for value preflop, you're usually ahead of tilted stuck guy, and other villain didn't reraise, you're seeing AA or KK here so rarely that I'd isolate tilted stuck guy and be way ahead most of the time. Adding to this, jam forces OMC to lay down mid pocket pairs as OMC's always do.

Agreed with this, as played call flop.

I guess I missed some value here guys. I figured what I knew of as 6 outs was not enough odds to call at 3 to 1 on the money. I folded face up and he showed pocket 9s.

First call is fine - but I'm back shoving the second time around once OMC flats - I want 5 cards.

I'd raise PF and try and limit the field. Plus by raising PF you have a chance to take it down right there or with a C-bet on the flop if there are any callers. I'd raise around $40 just to let the tilt guy know that if he wants to play for stacks you're ready, plus its a good spot to ISO OMC and if he folds then you take the $15 profit and move on.

Chances are seeing a flop with AKo when you haven't established that you're strong just diminishes your FE. Not that there is a lot of FE to begin with at 1/2 but its still Equity any way you slice it. Plus by 3! OTB PF you have a better chance of seeing more of the board if you bomb the flop, which more then likely will happen. Theres a good chance that the other two players will check the flop at which point you can check as well to see the turn for free. Your just opened to more options by 3! PF.

Once you flat OTB and BB raises with MP calling I would just push. At the very worst you're a massive underdog vs. AA or KK and its only the BB tilt guy who could be holding it, otherwise OMC would have pushed when BB 3! PF. I would put OMC on a drawing hand like A10s-AQs or a medium PP 88-JJ that he doesn't feel comfortable ISOing the BB with. In any case you are in good shape vs. OMC who has the bigger stack so he should fold if you 4! and if the BB does call you he only has 50bb so its an ideal spot to flip IMO.

Don't play poker to make hands, play to establish an image than abuse any spots that allow for it. Put pressure on those who are passive and pick up as many dead pots as you can. Judging by your play here Im guessing you're more of a tighter player so start making more aggressive plays when these spots present themselves. Also do not fold face up EVER! you basically showed the table that they can now push you around and fire out on all scare cards with a good chance that you will fold. This is bad advertising and not good for your image.

RAISE preflop to isolate and play for stacks heads-up. Don't you ever just call from the button a 3bet from a short stack. AK is not a drawing hand to reevaluate on the flop. AK can make the life miserable for QQ, JJ, TT and other AK. Force the stuck guy to play for his $100 and try to knock out the other player. You want to see all the 5 cards or win preflop by moving all-in for the 4bet.

Now, I suspect you will fold on the flop unless you are thinking on bluffing like a desperate or try to chase your two over cards. I don't like your line. Playing AK weak is a sign of inexperience and it will reflect your overall performance.

I appreciate all of your advice. I realize how much missed value there was now that it's explained to me better. And actually OMC said he folded AQ to the shove. So if I get stacks in I'm dominating at 140 side pot preflop. Although he probably folds if I shove PF. I don't play much live 1/2 mostly very weak .25 .50 and .50 1 home games. But I'm starting to take stabs at 1/2 at my local casino. And I ended the session plus 450. So not bad although I understand that it could have been run good and to not get ahead of myself. I am keeping a very strict bankroll and am building it up at a steady rate. I appreciate all the advice and yes I'm a pretty tight passive player. Im learning the TAG approach more and more each day and you guys at 2+2 have been a great help. This hand stood out to me and has been on my mind. And just so you know I never show cards. That was my last hand I had my chips racked on the table. That's the only reason.

It's really important to know what OMC can raise here? If he's got AJ/AT/KJ or weaker in his range, go ahead and raise. If you put him on JJ+/AQ+, you may as well just overcall.

Go ahead and jam over tilting 30bb guy once he raises.

As played, yeah may as well fold flop.

Grunching,

I like the flat pre for your stated reasons. Although it does create a less than ideal SPR for AK. Still, I think flatting is best. Once BB raises, you must shove given the described action. The SPR is about 3 and you're way ahead of their ranges. Moreover, AK is stronger as an AI hand since you're guaranteed to see turn and river.

As played, I fold. You're getting less than 3:1 and it's hard to believe you have 25 percent equity even given his spewy tendencies.

If you put him on a pair then it's a slightly -EV play to call his flop shove. I agree though that against a tilting short stack I'm shoving against his range in order to see all five cards. As played I would probably fold on the flop.