Some of my thoughts on AK...

o Raise it to 4-6x the BB. Good chance to take a small pot right there or buy the button. Also this is usually how I play AA, KK and QQ, so I can bluff at a flop that missed and set-up those hands if I'm caught.

o If AK misses DO NOT *call* any bets unless you are more then 50% certain they're bluffing.

o If AK hits, that leaves only 2 cards on the flop to make someone else's hand via ranks. Hence, when AK hits you're LESS likely to get taken down by a smaller pair hitting a set than AA or KK, however against the set you are 2 cards behind.

o If you're up against AA or KK you're less likely to hit the flop and often can dump right there.

o With a single caller if I miss the flop I will sometimes bet the flop (representing AA or KK) if I think the other player missed as well. When to make this bluff is very tricky, but IMO a key to getting the most of out AK. Definitely, not the bluff to make if you got re-raised pre-flop and they have position on you. Also, do not make this bluff against a call-station!

o With 2+ callers you're getting good pot odds on hitting your flop, so bluffing is both less important and less likely to work (particulary if more than 2 callers.)