1.

5 – AK, ace high in 3bet pot – Standard Line

Nick: This is a standard line deviation on the flop. Check back with unpaired naked AK
(naked meaning no backdoor draws) in position in 3bet pots especially on boards that
interact with the 3bet caller's range. (Click here to review the standard line.) We don't
want to get our realization sliced by a check raise.
1.6 – AK, ace high multiway – Standard Line

Student: I know this is usually a check back on the flop here, but I thought I could bet
because the board is so dry. I am also wondering if I can reopen with a bluff on the river.

Nick: This is a correct c-bet on the flop. The standard line suggestion is to check back in
multiway pots without equity-driven bluffs or mid pair+ on low boards. However, it is
okay to bet this texture because it is so non-interactive. We are less likely to be called by
stronger hands and it becomes more important to deny realization. Villain's range is too
pair-heavy to challenge him on the river.