Hi everyone,

I have encountered a tricky situation whileplaying AK in a 6-Max 10$ MTT.

The hand is available at this URL http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/view.php/id/10030277 (2+2 built-in hhc does not work)

Brief description of the table:

• I was moved to the table two hands before, hence I do not have any history.

Lot of doubts on my action, same for other strategies. I see two alternatives to my play:

1. Flatting the 3-bet preflop and going only for value, if I get an A or K on the flop I could go broke otherwise I check flop.
2. Reduce my 4-bet size preflop plus check/little c-bet flop.

The pros for (1) is that I have no history and I am too short to 4-bet. It is a 10$ MTT so I just stick with a conservative play.

The pros for (2) is that I could c-bet flop without being committed.

The pros for the actual play is that I am representing a quite strong hand AA,KK,QQ,AK with the 4-bet preflop, therefore it is right to go broke with AK since in the long-run I will win rather than lose (AA,KK,QQ >> AK).

I'd like to know your point of view on this spot. Thanks to anyone willing to help.

The textual summary follows:

Hand Information
PokerStars No Limit, 8000 BB (6 handed).
Hand History converter courtesy of pokerhandreplays.com

Table Information
Seat: 1 Player 1 ($169846)
Seat: 2 Player 2 ($227963)
Seat: 3 Player 3 ($218222) Dealer
Seat: 4 Player 4 ($276976) Small Blind
Seat: 5 Player 5 ($101370) Big Blind
Seat: 6 Hero ($272621)
Seat 1Player 1 Ante: 1000
Seat 2Player 2 Ante: 1000
Seat 3Player 3 Ante: 1000
Seat 4Player 4 Ante: 1000
Seat 5Player 5 Ante: 1000
Seat 6Hero Ante: 1000
Dealt to Hero
**

Preflop (Pot:18000)
Hero****RAISE $16000
Player 1****FOLD
Player 2****CALL $16000
Player 3****FOLD
Player 4****RAISE $39780
Player 5****FOLD
Hero****RAISE $91000
Player 2****FOLD
Player 4****CALL $51220

Flop(Pot: $233000)
***

Player 4****CHECK
Hero****ALL-IN
Player 4****CALL $180621

Turn(Pot: $578242)
****


River(Pot: $578242)
*****

Showdown:
Player 4 SHOWS
**
Hero SHOWS
**
Player 4**wins the pot: $578242

I would probably just shove this as a 4-bet without ICM implications. You're usually flipping or dominating if you get called since you block KK+.

Do you think flipping is worth supposing I have edge on ~90% of the field? That's why I think option (1) could be viable.

Weighting being "conservative" given the edge VS taking risk given the fact it is an MTT, it's something that bothers me a lot.

If I really have an edge on the 90% of the players I never give them the chance to bust me out with in a single hand

I don't hate your 4 bet pre, altogugh Villain it's pretty likely to have a big pair so after a ragged flop comes we are in a bad position because all overpairs will snap call