Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

I recently found a leak in my game. Its a "leftover" from when I played SNGs and MTT where AK is the nuts PF.
Reviewing hands in PT I found that Im spewing with AK when the villan shoves over my PFR.

So in an attempt to fix the leak I have done some calculations and made myself a basic quide for "getting it in"
Im posting this as a line check and to generate discussion.

It doesnt cover all the situations but I want to see if Im heading in the right direction with this.
If Im way off on anything then flame way - all comments welcome.


AK Equity vs Villans Range
(A) AA,KK - 20% (4-1 odds Required to call)
(B) AA,KK,QQ,AK - 40% (1.5-1 odds required to call)
(C) JJ+,AQs+,AQo+ - 50% (Even money call)
(D) Any Pair, Any Broadway - 60% (fistpump call regardless)

Villan Shoves Over Your 3-Bet
For a rough indication I used the following examples.
Villan makes 4bb raise and hero makes it 12bb

150bb Stacks - 138bb to win 162bb (1.17-1)
100bb Stacks - 88bb to win 112bb (1.3-1)
80bb Stacks - 68bb to win 92bb (1.35-1)
60bb Stacks - 48bb to win 72bb (1.5-1)
40bb Stacks - 28bb to win 52bb (1.85-1)
20bb Stacks - 8bb to win 32bb (4-1)

Against Range "A"
Fold unless against a super shorty giving 4-1.

Against Range "B"
Fold unless the pot gives a 1.5-1 (minimum) overlay.
If its close tend to fold since most villans range will be "weighted" towards AA,KK rather AQ etc.

Against Range "C"
Against this range its a basic flip.
Fold only if the stacks are very large and losing will cause tilt.

Against Range "D"
Call and be prepared.


Keep In Mind
- The odds above are for indication only, each situation will be different.
- Being suited matters only a few %. It adds 2-4% of equity to AK.
- If its multiway exersise more caution since the villan may have a tigher range, also the other players may have a monster.
- If its bet and 3-bet before it gets to you fold AK, unless your against two manics.
- When in doubt (having considered all factors) for meduim-large stacks folding is usually fine. Constant flipping for stacks can be frustrating.

Re: Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

I call all-in with it all the time in blind battles. It's frustrating when they shove a dominated hand and suck out though.

Poker Stars, $1/$2 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 9 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

MP2: $318.25
CO: $234.10
Hero (BTN): $200
SB: $166
BB: $205.60
UTG: $86
UTG+1: $52.75
UTG+2: $38.75
MP1: $444.30

Pre-Flop: A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BTN)
6 folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $8</font>, SB folds, <font color="red">BB raises to $26</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $78</font>, <font color="red">BB raises to $205.60 and is All-In</font>, Hero calls $122 and is All-In

Flop: ($401) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Turn: ($401) 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: ($401) Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: $401 Pot ($3 Rake)
Hero mucked A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and LOST (-$200 NET)
BB showed A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (a pair of Tens) and WON $398 (+$198 NET)

Poker Stars, $1/$2 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 7 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

SB: $236.85
BB: $283.20
UTG: $198.25
UTG+1: $81
MP: $105.85
Hero (CO): $333
BTN: $197

Pre-Flop: K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (CO)
3 folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $8</font>, <font color="red">BTN raises to $28</font>, 2 folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $76</font>, <font color="red">BTN raises to $197 and is All-In</font>, Hero calls $121

Flop: ($397) 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Turn: ($397) 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: ($397) J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: $397 Pot ($3 Rake)
Hero showed K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (a pair of Threes) and LOST (-$197 NET)
BTN showed K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (two pair, Jacks and Threes) and WON $394 (+$197 NET)

However, I've won my last 5 AK vs QQ flips, so it evens out I guess.

Re: Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

[ QUOTE ]
I call all-in with it all the time in blind battles. It's frustrating when they shove a dominated hand and suck out though.

[/ QUOTE ]$200 alot different than the $25. Even most of the donks are nits preflop. At the $25 I just fold AK to 4 bets unless it's a shortstacker.

Re: Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

You forgot to account for the fact that, in general, the deeper the stacks, the more likely the villain's range is weighted towards AA. You think a villain will typically shove QQ preflop with 500BB effective stacks?

Re: Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

I did actually point out that the range will be weighted.
For large stacks like 150bb+ Id need to be damn sure that Im ahead of his range.

The opposite is also true, even nits will get it in with QQ or AQ for &lt;20bb.

Re: Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

Thanks for the posting ! Great stuff.

At NL25 i call it when he is 3-betting light against me for whatever reason or if he his a maniac. I always expect it to be a coinflip.

Re: Theory - Calling All In With AK.
 

3-Betting light isnt something you see often at NL25.
Its usually manics that do it (or Blind V Blind) and once a pot is 3-bet at micros then Fold Equity = 0.

That said I have seen some villans call 100bb shoves with 66 and AT.
Bless 'em.