AKo (Cold call or 3-bet)

[Willem_D]

First orbit so not much reads. I did see UTG cold call with Q9o a few hands ago.

Poker Stars
Limit Holdem Ring game
Limit: $2/$4
5 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (5 players) Hero is Button with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]
<font color="#cc0000">UTG raises</font>, CO calls, Hero ???



Raising certainly isn't bad here since I will likely have the best hand. This will also get rid of the blinds and limit the number of opponents to 2.

I used to raise here 100% of the time but I am looking for alternative ways to play certain hands. Would anyone consider just calling here? Calling has several consequences:
- I forfeit an equity edge I have now.
- I am forced to hit to win the hand while 3-betting allows me to pick up some pots were everybody misses.
- I give the BB 1:7 odds to call and AKo doesn't like many opponents.
- I can still raise the flop if I hit. This will get the same amount of money in the pot as the case where I 3-bet and bet the flop after everyone checks to me, but now with a much bigger advantage.
- I keep the pot smaller which makes it easier to play TPTK.
- I invest less if I miss. (Small reason but still)

I would be more inclined to just call if the players are bad. The chance to pick up pots where all miss is small there and I get just as much value by raising the flop if I hit.

I would also be more inclined to call if there was an additional cold caller. The pot will be multiway anyhow so I can't keep the number of opponents low. I should then focus on keeping the pot as small as possible. Also, my equity advantage will be lower.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?