A few quick notes on playing A-K in limit hold’em…I will expand this into a column. Speaking of which, CardPlayer, where my columns appear, has requested that its authors restrict columns to 1,200 words. Virtually all of my columns in the past have been 1,500 words, So you will be seeing shorter columns in the future.

You raise preflop with A-K and miss. How do you play?

1 - Against one opponent, bet. Chances are you both missed and you have the best hand. Generally bet the turn as well.

2 - Against two opponents, bet unless you really hate the flop. Bet the turn around 1/3 of the time vs one opponent, check if both stay in.

3 - Against three or more, tend to check unless the flop brings you a good draw. The chances that all of your opponents missed the flop are typically poor (unless the flop is paired, such as 7-7-3). The reason to bet your draws is that you cannot simply bet every time you have an overpair or set, and check the rest of the time. You become too predictable. To avoid this predictability, you need to bet a few A-K’s (and check a few overpairs).

Clearly there simply guidelines do not cover all opponents, all flops, and all situations. You do not want to put money in the pot if you have little chance of making a profit regardless of how it affects your image or your macho self-image. Anytime you think you can’t win, don’t bet. I have seen far too much money lost on A-K because the holder simply did not want to check and fold.