We've all been there, you wake up with kings, the world is a bright and sunny place, you raise just enough to push all but one person off the pot.

Dollar Signs appear in your eyes, you're already spending the money when the flop comes

A-blank-blank rainbow

What are people's thoughts on how to place this when:-

a) you're first to act
b) you're facing a raise
c) you're facing a check

I think in most situations a bet is called for to find out where you are - but if your opponent is playing cagey with AK then you might get a flat call - the turn will invariably be something else irrelevant and NOW what do you do...

I hate this situation - help!!

In my view

A) cbet
b) depends, don't be afraid to fold
c) cbet

If he calls then it really depends upon the opponent and how you feel about what he has but I would generally check. If he has 88 he might sense weakness and push you off the hand but you can't win them all; if he does have 88 he might think your check is with AK or better yet with trips to try to induce him to bet so you can raise so a check on the turn in my view doesn't at all automatically tell him that you have no A.

I'm no expert (I'm closer to the other end of that spectrum) but this seems reasonable to me and has worked for me overall (whether I really do have trips and have induced him to bet on the turn or whether I have just KK and sometimes am rewarded with check-check).

Have no fear. I have a few easy solutions!

Figure out how to represent pocket Aces so he knows you have them without a doubt. Or if he's a tight player, represent a set or even two pair (if you can get away with it).

To avoid getting in this situation in the first place, but still get value out of your Kings, all you have to do is this:
1) Make your opponent put lots of chips in preflop
2) Then make opponent fold (preflop)

See? Poker is easy

In person it's probably easier to represent that you have the nuts.

To represent the Aces, bet strong preflop. Then a strong continuation bet. When the Ace flops, you have to keep going headstrong (represent to him that you're aware of the situation, the potential that he has top pair does not worry you). If a second Ace comes on the river/turn, then... it's time to figure out a plan B. lol

If he's watching you, smirk slightly to yourself, act like you're trying to hide being happy and you're not aware he's looking at you. It's a "real" bluff.

I hate the situation. I always Cbet and fold a raise (depending on the opponent).