AK, HOW I ADORE THEE

[illini43]

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool (http://poker-tools.flopturnriver.com/Hand-Converter.php) from FlopTurnRiver.com (http://www.flopturnriver.com) (Format: 2+2 Forums)

UTG ($10)
UTG+1 ($22.55)
MP1 ($33.30)
MP2 ($11.25)
MP3 ($10.95)
CO ($25)
Button ($29)
Hero ($24.75)
BB ($26.80)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, A/images/graemlins/spade.gif. UTG posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP1 raises to $1.25</font>, <font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, Hero calls $1.15, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, UTG folds.

Flop: ($3) K/images/graemlins/club.gif, 5/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, 8/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP1 bets $2</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $6.5</font>, MP1 calls $4.50.

Turn: ($16) 9/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP1 bets $8</font>...

No significant reads on villan.

#1) I just called preflop because I was OOP.

#2) Should I lead out on flop? What about check-calling?

#3) This strong turn bet feels like AA. A set is another possibility, but I felt that he only plays AA or 88 this way pre and postflop.

I folded to the turn bet, but I guess I'm trying to figure out what my line should have been on the flop.

[orange]

1) I would RR a decent amount here. Yeah, your OOP, but you should start learning how to play a little more OOP with great hands like AK.

2) Flop lead is fine. Your hand is semi underrepped. I don't like c/r-ing too much. I'd prefer either leading or c/c-ing, given PF action.

3) meh, I would probably bet/fold the turn. Your c/r on the flop put yourself in an awkward situation.

[redCashion]

1) The reason to re-raise is partially to compensate for the fact that you are OOP. You want to take the iniative of the hand away from the original raiser, and you will likely take it down preflop or on the flop.

2) Given the preflop call, I like the check/raise.

3) Once you've check/raised the flop, I think your only sensible action is to lead out the turn. You said "I have a big hand" on the flop, continue that message by betting 3/4 of the pot on turn.

I don't think his bet looks necessarily strong at all. I think he is taking advantage of your weakness of not leading out the turn, it might look to him like you took a stab at the pot on the flop, and you are giving up with your check on the turn.