AK can be a right bitch! How do you play it?

[chala]

Been playing on the cash tables at B365 quite abit recently, and I think I'm finally starting to improve as a player (:hope ). I'm winning a lot more hands and finallly pulling out of some hands even when I've committed a fair bit to the pot. But one thing still bugs me, and that is how to play AK. Personally I never seem to win when being dealt AK. A lot of the time it's probably just unfortunate that the flop never seems to hit me when I'm dealt AK, but I'm very reluctant to go all in, or commit a large raise when I have AK (note this is when I'm playing on the cash tables, I'd be a lot happier going all in with AK in a tournament). I've lost count of the amount of times I've saw other people go all in with AK in a cash game and lose all their money. On the other hand, it's obviously one of the best hands you can bet dealt and you should be able to take advantage of it. What are your experiences playing the (jinxed?) AK, and how do you play it?

[thephysician]

Re: AK can be a right bitch! How do you play it? No Limit I'd raise it the standard 3x big blind, and have a look to see the action. I want to see the field thin. If I haven't got position, whatever the flop, I'm betting it, the size dependent on the flop. If I have got position, then your good as you can then fold, bluff-call when you hit the flop or raise if you feel the field needs thinning. AK doesn't need to hit, but if your playing against a lot of callers, you do need to see some help. If your heads up, you feel happier, so you have to bet to get people out, or make them pay for calling with two under cards. I like AK, as I can get away from it easily.