AK vs shortstack awkward stack size

Originally Posted by fourthings

Preflop: {22+, all broadways, connectors, semi-connectors, Axs, A7+} I had trouble putting him on a range preflop, but just based on my loose passive read this is what i came up with

Sure, he's loose preflop and calls a lot, but does he also call 3bets a lot? Calling your 3bet should significantly narrow his range. Something like 22+, KQ+, AQ+.

Flop: This is where I had trouble. The pot is 1.27, and UTG has 1.37. Any regular sized c-bet and I'm committed to a reraise (in which case I'm probably behind) An all-in size bet and he'll only call with hands that have me beat. A small c-bet he'll call with his draws. So would I check here and hope for a check behind???

Typically, a low board like this is not great to bluff cbet since villian could easily have a overpair that he won't fold. It's a rainbow flop, so what draws are you worried about? The small stack does suck but since he is passive, I'd probably do a standard cbet and try to get him to fold. He may be bad enough that he hasn't considered his stack size. But yea, I think you're committed to the pot at that point, but you have outs. C/F to a shove is another option. If he's passive, he's less likely to bluff.