This is something I go back and forth on a lot, and was curious what insight some of yall may have.

Basic example to illustrate; It's a live 1-3 game, we raise with a straddle on the button from LJ, get called from a CO recreational player, and the flop comes something like T83hh. If I input my range in this spot(which will be pretty tight/strong) against his range(which will be very wide and weak), PIO will say something like to bet close to range for a 2/3+ sizing. If we have a hand like AK however, when we bet, alot of his folding range will be hands like Axs and AXo, weak broadways etc. It's a profitable bet against his range, yet a check is also +EV. I suppose, I find it difficult to switch between looking at flop play from a range perspective back to looking at it from a "what does my hand want to do" perspective. I think there is alot of merit to checking a hand like AK on this texture even against a weak range, given they can bink a worst A/Kx.

So, my question is, would you be even trying to switch mentalities at all, or just simplify and take the PIO solution from the flop, and then make adjustments on later streets as you see fit? This point may further be illustrated when we have Qx on AQx flop and we suspect villain to overfold to a bet; a bet will see a likely overfold on flop, yet if we check behind, we may induce some weaker hands to bluff and get value from air at the cost of giving a bit of equity to villain; and it also likely prevents us from facing a river bet that its unclear what to do. But by checking flop, the hand plays out a bit better against someone who isnt going to be putting us in difficult situations.)

Ryan