25NL about 100bb effective.

Hero is UTG+1 with Ac Qs

UTG opens to 0.85. Hero flats (normally I 3-bet this around 70% of the time but this time my brain's randomized algorithm decided to not 3-bet). Cutoff Flats. SB 3-bets to 2.50. UTG flats, I flat, cutoff flats.

Flop: As Kd 4c. SB checks. UTG checks. I decide to value bet 5.55 (with the intention that based on pool tendencies, any weaker Ace (AJ, AT, A9) would flat my raise and I can go for at least 2 streets of value depending on runout) Cutoff folds, SB raises to 16.66 (leaving only 7 behind). UTG folds. Hero?

I know the balanced play is probably to call or something but my bet looks really really strong and this check raise looks like top 2+ which I am virtually dead against. In retrospect, probably should have checked flop but what would y'all do?

Flat AQo preflop is good. I don't mind a 3b now and then but definitely not 70% of the time. 3b fish who call too much / don't 4b often.

Flop is a check/call, you get two streets of value at most. You shouldn't be trying for 3 streets of value unless one of these players (not SB) is a whale. Take one street of value on turn if checked back to you. Go for second street of value on really good run outs.

Going for 2 streets of value with this hand as well...

And since the board is so try, I'd like to check this back and bet turn and river.

btw, 3betting vs UTG at 70% rate is (imo) too loose.

2 streets of value is fine, but we have TPTK in a 4way pot OTF so I think bet is standard? I don't want to let these 3 see a turn and cooler me.

Also viable.

Prefer betting to deny equity which is quite important with this many players in the pot, plus I don't expect to see many x/r at all this this spot. Checking is definitely fine too, but seems results orientated tbh.

I'm fine with a really exploitative fold, SB can definitely have KK+/AK at some frequency, and it's not like SB has any clear bluff candidates here, they'll have to be bluffing with sh*t equity like QJs into 3 ppl on AK4r, it's just not happening.

I like the line we took here if we folded to the x/raise on the flop. When Villain makes this play it just has to be AK+. I don't even mind taking this down on the flop and folding out all underpairs/suited broadway hands with backdoor equity. Nice bet on the flop, we also get value from all worse A's when we bet flop. Have to fold to that raise though.