Theory - Calling All In With AK.

[Sounded Simple]

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.

[SABR42]

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.

[Chargers In 07]

[ 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.

[sobos]

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?

[Sounded Simple]

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.

[TheBad]

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.

[Sounded Simple]

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.