Playing AQ

• 09.06.2025 5:36 pm
• headhunter
• 1 Comment

Playing AQ might be a little easier than AK. The reason it might be easier to play is because people are more willing to lay this hand down than AK. If it's suited it's a top ten starting hand. If it's unsuited it still ranks high.

AQ is a dangerous hand though because it can be easily dominated. When someone raises in front of you there is no way of knowing if it's a high pocket pair or AK. If it's AK you may not find out until it's too late. Also, this hand is playing from behind if the raiser has aces, kings or queens. In each scenario, you have little to almost no outs to improve your hand. If there is a raiser in front you, be cautious with his hand. Learn the style of play of the raiser and see if calling here is warranted.

Many professional poker players hate playing this hand and won't raise with it in early position because of these problems. If there is a raise, the hand hits the muck quickly without a second thought. Doyle Brunson dislikes the hand so much he has stated that he won't play it. While Brunson has played the hand and has won with it, the reasoning behind it is simple. The odds of winning with AQ against huge hands aren't good.

Need an example: Say you have aces and raise preflop. You get a caller and the flop comes down queen high. You bet, get raised all in and call with your over pair. All the other guy has is AQ and is drawing to just three outs. That's how easy the money can leave your hand when you overplay AQ.

Preflop, if the pot is folded or limped to you, AQ is a great hand to start with, but like AK don't get married to it. When you get AQ and are the first person into the pot, raise. Get people out of the hand because you want to go up against the least amount of people.
If you miss the flop and don't have any draws just let it go. There will be better cards and better spots to make money.

Pay attention to the flop. If a king hits on the flop, don't be afraid to bet. Many people have what I call the default read. They automatically put people on AK when they don't know what else they have. If you bet here and everyone folds, there is usually a muttering of ace-king somewhere in there. However, if you completely miss, you can still put in a follow through bet. If someone plays back at you, release the hand. You are most likely beat. Lay it down and move on to the next hand. Save your money for a later hand.

If you hit your hand, say two pair or top pair with top kicker, play it hard. Bet and raise if necessary. You want to end this hand quickly because you probably won't improve. However, if you get raised or bet into, you might suspect two pair or a set. If you have a good read on your opponent, do what you think is necessary.