[dovla]

i wrote my observation about AK.. i don't find it as a moving card.. but i would like to expand my theory..

AK,AQ,AJ or A10.. early, middle or late position

AK is a hand for standard raise from every position.. but everybody is wondering what to do if somebody puts you allin in good tourney.. CALL or FOLD? it really depends of a player, but my answer will depend of my stack, and about stage of tourney..
AK is third starting hand in poker.. when you're putted allin, you are great underdog only against two hands - AA and KK! against any pocket pair you have coin flip (with 1-6% less chances).. against any other hand with other players like to move (like AQ,AJ) you're big favourite.. so call can pay you off here.. and don't forget that AK is only 60% favourite against any random hand so don't expect too much from big slick if somebody puts you allin with 10J for example (but you can't find those kind of players too much in solid tourneys)..

AQ,AJ and A10.. really difficult answer
let's start from the lowest one... A10 is hand for folding preflop from early positon, maybe if it is suited you can try to see the flop cheaply.. but 95% of time it is folding hand from early, limping from middle, and SR from late position! Allin with A10 - NEVER, only if you're short stacked with blinds coming to get you..

AJ - trouble hand number one! - limp (sometimes SR) from early, and SR from middle and late position. but what to do if somebody puts you allin or re-raise? my answer is 95% fold.. only if player who putted you is really loose and moron call can be conisdered as a option. big underdog against AA,KK,QQ,JJ,AK,AQ (6 hands).. slightly favourite agains KQ.. coin flip against any pocket pair.. the maximum you can get from this hand is coin flip.. and you don't want to move on less than 50% of chances with all your stack..

AQ- trouble hand number two! hand for SR from any positon. one of the biggest trouble hands in poker (i will put JJ and KQ in that group too).. AQ suited looks really great when it's dealt to you.. but when your raise is re-raised or put to move that is the question.. any pocket pair gives you a coin flip.. against AA,KK,QQ,AK (4 hands) you're really a underdog.. you can have AJ against you or KQ where you're big favourite.. Aq brought to me too many good pots, but too many losses too.. my answer is: FOLD in 70% of cases, try to read the player.. but remember this (this is my experience) - when some player who you don't know too much with solid stack put you allin preflop after your raise he is 95% of times holding AK!! with KK or AA (sometimes QQ) you will get re-raise.. people don't like to see a flop with AK and don't want to be in pot with more than 1 player - they know this is the premium hand and they will usually move preflop in raised pot! and AQ has low chances to win AK!..

this is my observation, and the rest of is your choice.. good luck!

[sensei24]

A very good and interesting article which is usefull to everybody. AK is the one of the hardest hand to play, but can get you a big stack early in a tournament.

[evilintentions]

I've just now started really noticing my position in a hand. It has helped me immensely. Great read thanks.

[gilbert921]

It still amazes me to this day how so many players will ride out A/K all the way to the river, hoping and praying for a pair. Calling raises just hoping to catch a pair, then most of the time when they do they go ballistic and raise substantially and get so excited they miss the flush opportunity on the board or straight or whatever else may be out there.

Commenting on your A/J section. I throw away A/J in early position unless it is suited. It seems I will lose more money than win when I'm in a hand with this. If i do get into a hand I'm hoping for a flop with high card of Jack. That way I have top pair top kicker. The Ace actually would scare me, say if the flop was A,9,5 I would put out a bet, if I was re-raised I would probably fold right there. I don't want to lose a lot of money to a kicker card. Of course this all goes on feel. If the opponent who re-raised me was a loose agressive player, I might re-raise him hoping to gain upper ground. These type of hands you just have to play to the type of table.

If you are in a tight table and you see a raise and maybe even a re-raise to you, Your A-J isn't worth nothing. muck it fast.

I liked you little mini section on playing Aces with kickers, very nice read.

[wheeloftime]

my question is the why do so many peopl go nuts with big slick? why do they consider aa and ak the best hands to get? i personally hate the both of them. that and jj. but i guess i and alone or near alone in that field. there are too many bingo players that love their 8 3 and catch them on the turn or river.

[money_maker]

Yeh it depends what the situations are of your gam. If its i a 10 person table then it may not be such a good hand. But heads up - 5 handed. Its very strong.

Even 10 handed it gives you top/top if you catch a King. Its strong and if you have chips you can use it too great effect.

If you are a medium stack then its dangerous because you could end up losing half your stack or more.

I play it like any other hand. Try and see the cheap flops and keep aware of how your opponents are playing. If they play tight and make a large raise you know its for a monster hand like . Therefore out of position it may be wise to fold.