[Arjonius]

Originally Posted by dRaSTIC

AK is stronger than any pair lower than A A in my opinion.
When you have K K for example and A is in the flop...

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but if you hold KK vs an opponent with AK, you will win about 70% of the time.

[prodigy_3n4]

When you have Ace King before the flop you are a 32 percent chance of winning the hand. I dont know why it is so high but actually the only cards that are better are AA and KK

[zoobomb]

hmm.. just to clear up a few things i dont think anyone jumped on.
ak isnt the best starting hand at all, and nor is it better than any pair below kings.

David Sklansky outlines the top hands as follows..
1.AA
2.KK
3.QQ
4.JJ
5.AKs
6.TT
7.AQs
8.AJs
9.KQs
10.AK

So perhaps bear this in mind and be wary AK really is a slowplay hand, I generally raise before the flop only if im on the button. However the lovely bonus odds wise is that it makes your buddys 25% less likely to have either of those cards, in a smaller or looser game you can play your AK much more agressively but please consider the above rankings next time your thinking about calling that all-in before the flop.

[acesfulkings]

only go allin preflop if tallstacked 2or3 times

[Catcherblck]

AK yes is a good startin' hand but don't fall in love with it, most player's fall in love with the hand and can't fold! lol see it alot flop comes lol they move all in with Fold it Fold it!! It's that easy!

[aparna]

I hate AA and AK. It never works for me.

[Slayre]

I think the most losses with AK are due to just not being able to let it go..

You should raise with it, even re-raise with it... this will give you information on what your up agaisnt once the flop hits the board... raising should also leave you with 1 or 2 opponents, significantly increasing the chance that your hand is the best.

That is a basic way to look at it... other factors, such as position, chip stacks, et al... type of players...

As long as you don't marry the hand, you can be quite successful with it..

( You shouldn't marry any hand, for that matter ).

[W13rd0W]

You say that :
David Sklansky outlines the top hands as follows..
1.AA
2.KK
3.QQ
4.JJ
5.AKs
6.TT
7.AQs
8.AJs
9.KQs
10.AK

---------------


TT over A K ?!?! i don't really think so...any J Q K A that came in the comunity means sure beat but as well if you don;t get an A/K om the flop it's hard to continue with A K..

Cheers,
W13rd0W

[Phoenix29]

I would take any pair over AK but i remember seeing somewhere that the ACE itself comes out on the community board over 50% (Not sure what the exact percentage was).

This is the reason why so many people have a hard time letting go of the AK especially when its suited.

It comes out so often and the fact that its the highest pair makes it so troubling to fold, especially when theres a low flop.

I have seen so many people go All In on the flop even tho they know theyre beat just because they think the Ace is coming and its frustrating for the person who had him beat to get beat by a miracle draw.

[napcuz]

I have lost more with big slick than anything else.

When it gets dealt to me IT STILL BRINGS A SMILE TO MY FACE.

It is the hand I am frustrated with the most. I would prefer 10's any day but that's me.

Its still hard not ot smile when you get it though.

I like it better late in a tournament when the blinds are high cause people tend to not play rags.