So, here's the first scenario that came up a couple times yesterday... If it happens again while I'm playing today, I'll post it here... Until then, you'll have to use my wonderful imagination to paint you a picture...

3/6 limit on UB... full table... Everyone has enough to cap every round...

I get dealt in the CO... 2 limpers to me... I limp (which may be bad, as I probably should raise, but in NL I like to let someone catch their King w/ K6, and they won't be able to let go... Not sure if this also works for limit...)... Button folds, SB folds... BB checks...

$13, and 4 see a flop of ... BB checks... UTG bets $3 (most likely TP)... gets called by UTG+1 (who knows... TP or drawing to a straight maybe...)... Now, it's $3 for me to call w/ $19 in the pot... If a K or A hits, I'm 100% sure I'm ahead... I have 6 outs... Is it worth it to call the $3 and see the turn, then check/fold if I don't hit...?

Normally this is a play I don't make very often in NL, as I'm more of a hit or get out type of player... But, in limit, is this a reasonable approach...? BTW... One of my poker strong points (maybe the only one ) is being able to get away from a hand, even if the K or A hits... I don't get married to a hand, especially not TPTK...

Thanks...

(1) Not raising preflop is a crime against humanity.

EDIT : Don't take this as overly harsh, I just think there's a huge difference in AK's value between limit and no-limit. If I were to post some of my AK hands from my NL stint...well, I don't even want to think about how much I'd get flamed.

(2) Calling with overcards is rarely a good idea unless you're getting exceptional odds, or have something else going for you. In this case, you have a backdoor flush draw, which helps...but, you can not be 100% sure an A or K gives you the best hand. Why are you positive that no one has KT or AT? The guy calling could even have something like A7. That's why calling with overcards is a risky proposition, especially if one of those overcards is an ace. So many players play Ax that you can never be certain when your TPTK just made someone else two pair.

-TW

One other thing I should note...TPTK is a stronger hand in limit than it is in NL, and for that reason, AK is a stronger hand. AK should ALWAYS be raised preflop, and almost always be 3-bet against someone else's raise. And while I won't say that TPTK should never be folded, I will say that you should be going to the showdown the vast majority of the time with it.

-TW

Thanks TW...

I make a decent amount of money in NL letting someone with a lower King hit... Most people can't let go of TP if their balls were in a vice... If I 3-bet someone w/ pocket Qs, isn't he gonna get out when a King flops, he checks to me, and I bet...? As opposed to me calling his raise, calling his flop bet, and raising his turn... Aren't I gonna get more money in, and keep my hand more hidden...?

BTW... what site do you play on...? I'd love to actually learn something at a table while getting my ass whipped... And, I mean that in the most heterosexual way possible...

LoL, I play on Empire, but I'm not a good one to watch. Let's just say that lately, I talk a better game than I play

You'd be surprised how often QQ or JJ will call me down with a K or A on the flop For that matter, when you have people raising with AQ, AJ, KQ or hell even A5 (lol), it's obviously to your benefit to get more money in the pot. And trust me, if someone raises AT and flops an ace, they are NOT getting away from it.

Another good reason to 3-bet AK is that it gives you the initiative in the hand, which can lead to you getting free cards, cheap showdowns, or even getting someone to fold when they should be calling (because they put you on a bigger hand than you actually have)

-TW

Hey, I didn't know you started playing some Limit games! I strongly recommend reading Winning Low-Limit Hold'em by Jones and Small Stakes Hold'Em by Miller and Sklansky. There are certain strategy changes from limit to no-limit that you need to learn to be a profitable player.

Without a doubt, ALWAYS PF raise AK in limit! Doesn't matter if there's two limpers or five limpers, RAISE!

As TW mentioned, sticking around with just overcards is not a good idea. You need at least some backdoor draws. If all you have is a backdoor draw - call a bet on the flop. If the turn doesn't help your draw, get out of there. In this case, a call on the flop is okay. If you hit another diamond, call another bet on the turn with your flush (or straight flush in the case of Jd or Qd) draw. It'll be more difficult if you just hit an A or K, but you probably will have to AT LEAST call to the river, or throw in a raise or re-raise on the turn and then check-call the river.

The situation would be different if you PF raised AK. First, the BB might have folded. Second, on that flop, you would almost always bet it. You probably won't win the pot right there on the flop, but this bet has numerous advantages:

1) You might get someone to fold A7 or A2, cleaning up your ace out when you hit it.

2) You might gain a free look at the river. People tend to check to the raiser, so they'll often check the turn allowing you to check behind and see the river card without paying the double-bet on the turn.