Checking wins the minimum: the worse kings, pairs and floats that would have paid a value bet get a free card instead.

AKo on K♦ 7♣ 2♥, checked to you — bet or check?

Q: AKo on K♦ 7♣ 2♥, checked to you — bet or check?

Bet. You've flopped top pair with the best possible kicker on a dry K♦ 7♣ 2♥ rainbow — there's almost nothing to be scared of. Bet and worse kings, middle pairs and stubborn floats all pay you off. Checking wins the minimum and hands those worse hands a free card. In position you get the last word, so build the pot now while you're miles ahead.

The answer

Bet

⅓ pot for value

The math: A♠K♥ is top pair, top kicker on a bone-dry K-7-2 rainbow — you're crushing the check, and the solver bets it the large majority of the time.

Why

You've flopped top pair with the best possible kicker on a dry K♦ 7♣ 2♥ rainbow — there's almost nothing to be scared of. Bet and worse kings, middle pairs and stubborn floats all pay you off. Checking wins the minimum and hands those worse hands a free card. In position you get the last word, so build the pot now while you're miles ahead.

The spot

Villain · BB

checks

POT · $12

K♦

7♣

2♥

A♠

K♥

BTN

$1 / $2 · 100bb

Your seat: BTN
Stakes and stacks: $1 / $2 · 100bb
Your hand: A♠ K♥
Board: K♦ 7♣ 2♥
Pot: POT · $12
Action on you: BB checks

Every option

Checkgive a free card
Why not: Checking wins the minimum: the worse kings, pairs and floats that would have paid a value bet get a free card instead.
Bet⅓ pot for valueCorrect
⅓ pot · $4 · ⅔ pot · $8 · pot · $12

The idea behind it

Strong made hands on dry boards want the pot to grow. Bet them for value and let weaker holdings pay to see the next card.

Concept: Value betting

See the glossary: value & bluffs Read the methodology

Terms in this spot

Value bet

Play it instead of reading it

The trainer deals this hand with hints, grading and spaced repetition — and randomized variations of it once you have seen it.