Would You Ever Fold AK Pre at a Final Table—and Would You Show It? How Should the Table Respond?

[Hyuga]

All remaining 5 players earn the same seat. With no pay jump pressure, only consideration to get into first 5, can you think of a valid reason to open/fold AK offsuit here preflop? Have you ever been in a similar situation where you made a hero fold—or regretted not making one?

I'm also struggling for how to deal with this kind of player, fold and show his AKo. What do you think this really signals about their mindset or future strategy? Does this make you want to attack their blinds and opens more, or does it signal tightness that would make you back off when they enter a pot? How do you exploit—if at all—players who openly demonstrate this kind of caution?

 

[Mario7]

Well, as for this exact situation, I am not quite sure if his medium stack of 11K guarantees the winning 5, but anyway, the chances are pretty big.
I do not know the bidding, if he promptyly folded or tried to see the flop cheaply. Anyway, folding AK in such situation is resonable.

I was in similar situation recently. WPT has this silly "Crazy freerol" qualifier, where top20 gets tickets to the next phase, no matter if you are 1st or 20th (the tournament ends when there are 20 players left).
When I was 12/24 with low-medium stack I had guaranteeed win with several mini-stacks (they would fall off in time just with antes+blinds) and I was dealt AKo - I bet (or called - I do not remember exactly) small, just to try to see the flop cheaply, but after I was raised, I folded. I see no reason to risk if folding gives me guaranteed win.

I do not see the reason to show cards at the table in such situation (as in any other situation, TBH)

 

[eetenor]

All remaining 5 players earn the same seat. With no pay jump pressure, only consideration to get into first 5, can you think of a valid reason to open/fold AK offsuit here preflop? Have you ever been in a similar situation where you made a hero fold—or regretted not making one?

I'm also struggling for how to deal with this kind of player, fold and show his AKo. What do you think this really signals about their mindset or future strategy? Does this make you want to attack their blinds and opens more, or does it signal tightness that would make you back off when they enter a pot? How do you exploit—if at all—players who openly demonstrate this kind of caution?

This is a satty with 1 player left until you get the seat and there is a shorty on the table- we can open fold AK off every time to aggression by 2 other players. Yes we had the winning hand but that is not the point our odds of getting the seat are very high with a shorty and 2 incorrectly agg players on the table. We only need 1 player to bust, if 2 players with larger stacks are going to battle each other then wooohoo for us.

We have to be very tight when players have no idea they are making huge calling or 3 betting mistakes with a shorty on the table

 

[fundiver199]

I never show my cards, unless I get to showdown, and I certainly dont see any value in doing it in a spot like this. Is he trying to teach the other players, how to play better on a satellite bubble, or what is the purpose? We dont know the exact action, but as others have said, its very standard to play tight on a satellite bubble and force the short stack to risk his chips first.

 

[Hyuga]

I never show my cards, unless I get to showdown, and I certainly dont see any value in doing it in a spot like this. Is he trying to teach the other players, how to play better on a satellite bubble, or what is the purpose? We dont know the exact action, but as others have said, its very standard to play tight on a satellite bubble and force the short stack to risk his chips first.

I m also struggling about showing the card, is that any advanced skill or any trick doing to make any perception for other players? I'm just curious as I m quite new in the power game