How to Play AK

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AK is one of the most solid hands you can get. As with any hands, it is a drawing hand, but it is a very strong drawing hand. Probably just behind pocket As, Ks and Qs.

Let’s look at some fast facts:

• You will flop a pair at roughly 1 out of 3 times
• The chance of holding any pocket pairs is 1 out of 16
• Any pocket pairs can beat an unmade AK

The Preflop: Raise decently

The facts tell us that we have to raise preflop to eliminate free cards. Your chances of winning are higher when you push people out before they can draw any potential pairs. Those who stay are probably holding a combination of considerably strong cards or pocket pairs.

One of the key aspects to remember is the odds you are dealing with. Since you’re certainly going to miss more often than you hit, it is important to take the lead early in the hand and seize control.

The Flop:

Missed - If you land nothing on the flop with AK, your odds of winning are way down at that point. If your opponent is raising more than you want to call, he has a good chance of making a pair. Don’t fall in love with loser hands, discipline is very important in winning poker. If you decide to call, you chance or making anything in the turn and river is around 25%.

Hit - If you hit any an A or K, you are in business. But even if you are very excited, don’t show it. The only golden rule of poker is Never Give Away Any Information. Besides, it is not like you will win for sure anyway.

Turn:

If you have made it in the flop, you have to assess his betting pattern to determine if he has a stronger hand than you. As long as there is no apparent threat, you can bet or re-raise. If you miss it here, and he is betting strongly, it is time to fold.

River:

If he has been betting very weakly, you are probably holding the strongest hand. So don’t be afraid to bet at this point. And you really shouldn’t be in the river if you haven’t made anything in the turn.

Keep in mind that AK is a strong drawing hand. It means you should play strong pre-flop. And how you play the rest comes down to the size of the pot and the amount of $ you are willing to lose. Yes, you need to be willing to lose in order to win in poker.

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