There are more questions, more opinions, and more words written about how to play Big Slick (A-K) than any other Hold'em hand.
This is because A-K is the most frequently occurring of all of the premium starting hands. In other words, there are more A-K combinations than there are for any of the other premium hands, such as A-A, K-K, or Q-Q. More precisely, there are eight aces and kings in a deck, while for any pair there are only four.
So, A-K will be seen in more big pot showdowns than any other hand. Including such other powerful starting hands as A-Q, J-J, and T-T. These three hands will show up a little less frequently because most players correctly realize that they have less showdown value in a large pot.
You may by now have noticed that the classic showdown hands between two opponents is A-K versus Q-Q. Simple arithmetic and prudent hand selection explain the high frequency of this occurrence.
The deductive reasoning behind this occurrence follows:
- First, there are more A-K premium starting hands than there are Q-Q premium starting hands.
- Then, with an ace and a king in play, it is less likely that the Q-Q will face either of the two other premium starting hands, A-A or K-K.
- Since it is less likely that the top two premium hands, A-A or K-K, will occur, then a big pot will more likely have a Q-Q in play. And,
- The Q-Q will be opposed by the more frequently occurring premium hand, A-K.
Granted, A-K is a powerful hand. At showdown, it will win against:
- Any non-paired, non-straight, or non-flush hand.
- It will beat any other two pairs.
- It makes a top pair-top kicker hand that will win many pots.
- It makes the nut straight.
- If suited it also makes the nut flush, and the Royal Flush. And,
- Even when non-suited, it can make the nut or second-nut flush.
In a nutshell, A-K is a powerful drawing hand that might win unimproved, and will likely make a nut winning hand if it does improve.
Consequently, just the sight of an A-K in our hand gets our adrenaline flowing. After all, those two cards, the ace and the king, are our two most favorite cards. Whether they are alone, combined, or in pairs. But, A-K has a highly exposed achilles heal. This giant can be taken down by any pair, even a lowly pair of twos. Thus, all of the interest, confusion, and debate about how to play big slick.
Every single situation in poker is different. So, there are no hard and fast, correct or incorrect A-K playing rules. When you hold A-K, your play depends greatly upon your read of the situation, and your read of your opponent. And, even more so, upon your tournament priorities at the moment.
In general, tournament priorities would call for playing A-K as follows:
- very cautiously in the early rounds,
- loosening up during the short table play, and
- very aggressively when in the money.
Finally, treat A-K like the powerful, but drawing hand that it is when against multiple opponents. And, like the powerful, perhaps made hand that it is when heads up. It is this dual identity of A-K that tends to confuse many players. A-K is a powerful drawing hand that must improve to win most big pots, so it is vulnerable. But, in some situations A-K can also win a big pot even unimproved.
In a big pot, every hand has limitations, even A-A and K-K. Like they say, big pairs lose big pots. So, in the case of playing A-K, as with all premium starting hands, the best guide will be caution, and the best teacher will be experience.
Here are a few more instances of recommended pre-flop A-K play:
- In the small blind or early position, limp. Then, be prepared to check-fold the flop.
- On the button or in late position, raise. Then, be prepared to fold, or continuation bet.
- When a short or desperate stack, push. And,
- When chip leader, limp from any position.
These are just a few ideas for cautious play in a typically occurring type of situation, but again there are no hard and fast rules. My best advice: see A-K for what it is, a drawing hand. But also, value it for what it is, one with great potential.
Unfortunately, following this advice and all of these recommendations, probably will not improve your win rate with A-K. Our goal is simply to lose less those times we lose, and win more when we win. We will still likely have about the same number of big pot showdown victories and defeats. This is because, for example, the A-K versus Q-Q match up is basically a coin-flip.
So, are you feeling lucky, today?
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Read my Article Review of this article, Playing Big Slick in a Sit 'n' Go Hold'em Tournament.
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Copyright 2009 R. Steve McCollum
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