Pot control w/ AA $.50/$1
 

I play NL in tournaments and live, but am not as used to playing with the deeper stacks in cash games, so I'm trying to avoid getting stacked since I'm also predominately a limit player used to calling down with top pair.

I check behind on the flop for pot control ala PNLHE. I sat down at the table a few hands ago, so I have no read on villain except that he has 4 stacks on the table. I figure the flat call on the turn is fine, what do I do facing a PSB on the river that gives the AK I "likely have" the straight?

Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.50/$1 Blinds - 5 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)

SB: $160.60
Hero (BB): $146.00
UTG: $122.60
CO: $98.50
BTN: $404.00

Preflop: Hero is dealt A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (5 Players)
<font color="red">Hero raises to $4.00</font>, 2 folds, BTN calls $3.50, SB folds

Flop: ($9) 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players)
BTN checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($9) 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players)
<font color="red">BTN bets $9.00</font>, Hero calls $9.00

River: ($27) Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 Players)
<font color="red">BTN bets $27.00</font> Hero...???
Pot Size: $27.00

Thanks,
-ChipsAhoya

Re: Pot control w/ AA $.50/$1
 

flop check is not the worst play ever, but i'd usually just bet this for pure value. you get calls from someone hold a J, a T, and sometimes even lower pocket pairs trying to keep you in line.

if you wanted to play pot control, i like bet flop/check turn a bit more.

Re: Pot control w/ AA $.50/$1
 

Flop is a must bet. Must bet. If you bet flop and he flat calls you, you can always check the turn for pot control/induce river bluffs. As played, raise turn, fold river? You kind of put yourself in a really hard spot by never taking any aggression.

FWIW, unlikely villain flats pre with AK, but you never know.

Re: Pot control w/ AA $.50/$1
 

Bet flop bet turn bet river

Re: Pot control w/ AA $.50/$1
 

don't pot control w/ the nuts

Re: Pot control w/ AA $.50/$1
 

The converter messed up.

Just bet the flop. See what happens.