I do not like to raise with AK in the blinds even though I should with one limper. So, I do not like the way I played this bread an butter hand.

He said 'Nice Buy' and I said 'AK'. No reply.

I was either so far ahead that he could not catch me or I was so far behind that I could not win.

I do not get enough value from my good hands. That is not a good sign. I think the check raise here was rather dumb since he would only call with a hand that likley had me beat such as a set. Maybe calling and betting the river was a better play?

Recommendations on how to play this hand. Thanks

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (7 handed)

Hero ($72)
UTG ($118.30)
MP1 ($338.90)
MP2 ($49.80)
CO ($54)
Button ($164.55)
SB ($78.10)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
1 fold, MP1 calls $2, 4 folds, Hero checks.

Flop: ($5) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP1 raises to $6, Hero calls $4.

Turn: ($17) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $10, Hero raises to $30, MP1 folds.

I also hate raising from the blinds and I hate AK. I like your play here overall but I would have bet out a little stronger on the flop which hopefully wouldn't have scared him away from raising. Turn play is perfect.

If you're really looking for value, I suppose a stop and go would have worked. Meaning call his raise on the flop then bet out the turn.

You didn't play this hand badly though...I wouldn't beat yourself over it.

I think you got plenty of value on this hand. I doubt you could have made more money on it.

Played fine. If you were really worried about a set of 5's, what you did is likely the best way to find out. If he comes over the top of your check raise, you answered your question.
Only other line I'd consider is smooth call the turn, open for the pot on any non spade river. May look like you're trying to buy the pot with a busted flush draw, slight chance of getting called by a big A. But any spade falling would likely give you heartburn, so I like your line better. Either way, result would likely be the same. Seems like villian was trying to buy a checked pot from the big blind, doubt he had anything to call with once he met some resistance.

Mike,

I think you played this hand perfectly. In general, I don't think raising from the blinds with AKo is a good idea.

You don't think he would call your check-raise with AQ, A5, or A7? If he is betting a draw, don't you want to make him pay for it? I think it was a good move.

He probably didn't have shit anyway.

Nice play.

Everybody likes your play, and I do too, except for the first flop bet. Why so small?

The other thing I don't like is you typing "AK" when questioned about it. Why tell the truth? He says, "Nice buy," you should just say, "Thanks."

Thanks guys for the feedback - yes, he says nice buy and I say thanks - I don't think he believed my AK anyway but why give out info.

The small bet on the flop was 40% of the pot and I wanted it to look like a feeler bet. I was afraid that too strong a bet would scare him off.

I feel much better about the hand. Thanks again.

I have another hand to post that I got killed on which I wil post.