Before my question, I would like to share something first. Just recently, I hosted an 11 man home tourney. I remember there were some aggressive college students who came and then keenly watched.

Earlier, there were more all ins than usual. Good as I thought I was able to move up slightly. However, I found out afterwards that there was a trouble ahead. I found a little under-dressed, off-suit.

Eventually, I raised three times the big blind. Consequently, table folded around except for one player who pushed all in all the way. The said player was actually the big stack. I believe he was just making fun then with a low pair. Later, I called all in while he flipped pocket sevens. On the flop, he was able to catch his 7 and so I was then busted out.

Now, I’m curious because of some stuff. When facing the big stack, should I consider folding A-K off thinking that I might be in a coin flip situation at some point? Also, do you think I should wait to push a smaller stack all-in in order for me to later on see where I stand considering the cards I have?

Another thing, I believe I am a much better player and so because of this I should have reduced volatility. What’s your thoughts on this?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks and nice site!

Regards,
John Eastwood
John,

A-K against a chip leader is a tricky hand. Some people think it is great, but is really just a glorified drawing hand. I would have folded this hand preflop after the reraise unless I was short stacked. If I was short stacked, then I would have played it. Being all in short for a coin flip is not that bad a situation.

I participated in a home tourney with initially nine players. Eventually, it was trimmed down to three, me, the SB, and the player on the button.

Back then, I had near $30,000 in the BB, SB had $90,000, while the player on the button had$40,000, all in chips. By the way, blinds were $1500/$3000, Ante $400.

At certain point, player on the button folded while SB called. I then raised to $12,000 with A-9 unsuited. Once again, SB called. Flop came and brought 10-7-K rainbow. At such instance, SB checked to me. Because I believe SB didn’t have the King, for around $20k, I raised all in. SB then called and then had Q-10 unsuited.

Both turn and river came but of no sense at all. I was then confused as I don’t know what to do next. I could make a tough and right call but I was not so sure as I’ve already showed strength preflop and post flop. I could also go all in or check, but I had $20,000 left and the pot was $24,400, in the event he opt to bet, it would be somewhere $8,000-$14,000. Well, I could re-raise all in, however only $6,000- $12,000 considering the pot was somewhere $32,400-$38,400. What do you think?

I hope to hear from you.

Thank you very much in advance.

Butler
Butler,

The raise from the big blind was not a bad raise. The call from the small blind was a bad call. The fact that he hit the flop and then called your bet was unfortunate. If you are going to bet on the flop in that spot, you will probably want to bet what you did to pressure your opponent. He risked a big portion of his stack with middle pair.

Personally, I would have waited and saw the flop for free. I don’t know if I would have raised preflop there. I may have, but when I am three handed, I am going to see cheap flops and hope to get lucky. If you did that, you may have been able to get away from the hand on the flop. You could have bet about 4,000, which would have been a good portion of the pot if not raised preflop. If your opponent raised, you fold.