Ace King, also called Big Slick or Anna Kournikova (she looks good but rarely wins), is one of the most overrated hands in poker and playing Ace King is more difficult than first seems.

Now when you get Anna Kournakova in a cash game or tournament, you get a little bit of goosebumps. Serious research has pointed out that most people get felted because of overplaying Ace King, especially when it is 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 lose 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.

Now even though I mentioned people lose more than they win with AK, AK is still the best drawing hand in poker. It is only a big underdog against AA and KK. The rest of the hands is either just as strong or slightly stronger or a lot worse than AK. Hence you would say, AK is one of the best hands. This is, mathematically said, true.

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.

So Anna Kournakova 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 re-raising with AK you could make people lay down 9-9, 10-10 even Jacks. This is the real strength of AK: representing KK or AA. Never go in a coin flip situation though with AK. Don’t call off your whole stack with AK in tournaments. In cash you should be cautious. 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 . Most people overrate AK. When the flop doesn’t hit they don’t only continuation bet with AK, they even bet again at the turn because they have fallen in love with big slick. Please don’t do this. Raising preflop is fine but it shouldn’t be bet like the nuts on every street. This is the biggest mistake made. AK is not much better than 23 if it doesn’t hit. Playing drawing poker is too expensive in no limit holdem.

So in summary play Anna Kournakova aggressively when you hit but be prepared to fold!

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