Playing AK | Don’t overrate Big Slick
Ace King, also called Big Slick or Anna Kournikova, is one of the most overrated hands in the history of no limit holdem poker. It’s exactly as the pityful sidename Anna Kournikova refers too: She looks good but doesn’t win alot.
AK. When you get it in a cash game or tournament of whatever it is you are playing, you get a little bit of goosebumps. Serious research has pointed out that most people go broke or die at a tournament because of overplaying Ace King, especially Ace King suited. Before we go further with the analysis of AK, please hold in mind that not only with Ace King, but with all suited cards, against unsuited cards the increased winning percentage that comes with suited cards is only a percent!
Ok, so if most people loose more than they win with Ace King, and loose at especially crucial times, then what is it that they are doing wrong playing AK? First of all we are going to take a look at the potential of AK, after that we will follow up with how Ace King, in conclusion, actually should be played and how it should not be played.
AK is the best drawing hand. AK can beat EVERY HAND, it is only a big underdog against AA and KK. The rest of the hands is either just as strong or slighty stronger or a lot worse than AK. Hence you would say, AK is one of the best hands. This is, mathmatically said, true.
But it is one of the most complicated and tricky hands too. AK is no favourite against 22. 33 is. But then again, it is not much more of an underdog against QQ, one of the strongest hand in NL Holdem.
How should one play this complicated hand then?
Ace King should be played with caution, but also with aggression. Being aggressive in poker is a good overall strategy anyhow, but especially when you hold AK. In tournaments you can be ultra aggressive with AK. But only as long as YOU push. NEVER call an all in with AK in tournaments as you are no favourite against all pairs and only a slightly favourite against other drawing hands like QJ and 10J. But if you are the one that is raising or reraising with AK you could make ppl lay down 9-9, 10-10 even Jacks. This is the real strength of AK: representing KK or AA. Never go in a coinflip situation though with AK. Don’t call off your whole stack with AK in tournaments
In cash you should be cautios. Don’t go to far with AK as most of the times you are flipping a coin, and we are not in the casino but playing poker. Most ppl overrate AK. When the flop doesn’t hit they don’t only continuation bet with ak, they even bet again at the turn cause they just fall in love with big slick. Please don’t do this. Raising prelflop is fine but please don’t bluf everything with AK. This is the biggest mistake made. Ak is nothing better than 23 if it doesn’t hit. Playing drawpoker is to expensive in no limit holdem. Remember that.
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