How do you play AK?

[bowserdon]

AK most over rated hand IMHO, I see alot of All ins, unless you hit a pair of 2s beats you.What are your thoughts?

 

[Flyer35]

Yes and no. AK out of position is particularly vulnerable when it doesn't hit the flop. But you still want to play it big. Even if it does hit it's behind a lot of drawing hands. Hence most people just shove and hope. At least that cuts the odds of getting called down to the pairs where you almost have a level playing field, or with luck a variety of lower Ax or even Kx hands.

 

[roberto51]

It all depends on the current situation at the table and the size of the bankroll. I play all in 75%.

 

[bodil19982]

Although it is a strong hand in the long run, I often lose with it. I usually play with a preflop raise and a showdown.

 

[NKGB13]

AK is strong enough for you to be willing to see all the 3 streets, meaning, you can play it for all of your stack preflop.. but you should not pay by any means if there's a 3bet and a 4bet on the table for example, the power of your hand was melted by the previous action.

 

[Poker Orifice]

My thoughts on how to play AK?

As with many things in this game, it is very situational so >>> 'IT DEPENDS'

fwiw, AK is a very strong hand & is best played aggressively preflop.

 

[Dimidrol2]

All hands are overpriced, but AK is an underpriced hand that should be played frequently.

 

[neverbluff0799]

 

[dannystanks]

AK is a premium starting hand. Just don’t overplay it or feel entitled to win with it. I treat it just like any other hand I play. Raise first in with it, then evaluate the situation from there. How I play it post flop will depend on all the variables that come with post flop play.

 

[black and]

AK most over rated hand IMHO, I see alot of All ins, unless you hit a pair of 2s beats you.What are your thoughts?

It all depends on the situation. It is important to take into account the format and stage of the tournament. It is important to understand who your opponents are. You need to take into account your position and stack size. I have a variety of scenarios

 

[ROYALROAD]

It all depends on the situation. Let's consider various factors.

 

[ph_il]

AK most over rated hand IMHO, I see alot of All ins, unless you hit a pair of 2s beats you.What are your thoughts?

this is a common misunderstanding of ak and hand ranges.

yes, in an all-in preflop situations, 22 has a slight lead over ak, but they're virtually a 50/50 chance to win by the river. however, a player jamming ak preflop are also playing most pairs as well, which beat 22. and players that call 22 are also calling with weaker hands that ak has an edge over, like aq, kj, and connecting cards.

in non all-in preflop situations, ak can feel comfortable being aggressive preflop and post flop, on most boards. 22 does not have that same luxury. you can't play 22 aggressively preflop (unless its your only option), and you're in a bad spot if you get 3bet. you can't play aggressively post flop unless you hit a set. even though 22 is a 'better' hand than ak, it cannot play the same as ak in pre / post flop situations. ak's ability to pick up pots uncontested or pick up extra equity / improve on later streets make much better hand then 22 in most situations, even if it misses.

being a 'made' hand preflop doesn't mean it's a better hand. there is a reason why ak is a top 5 hand and 22 isn't.

 

[mardi1987]

In different ways, it depends on the opponent, the size of the stack, whether I opened or someone else. I don't need to regret it if it happens preflop that I get into an all in situation, and if I lost that hand much more than I won, I will always play that hand hard preflop and post flop I can freeze if there are no favorable cards for me.