Playing AK (Big Slick)

• 09.06.2025 5:38 pm
• headhunter
• 0 Comments

A-K is known as Big Slick. It's a great starting hand, especially if it's suited. It's one of the top five starting hands in poker. Big Slick is tricky though. Big Slick has lots of potential. Big Slick is a stack killer.

A-K is like a young, hot shot baseball prospect. It looks good, has all the right tools, but there is no way of knowing if the prospect will ever pan out. In some cases, it becomes an All-Star center-fielder and other situations the prospect is selling peanuts. A-K is the same way. There is just no way of knowing how big, or small, you are going to hit the board.

The problem many people have with A-K is overplaying it because of its potential. Many poker players haven't learned that they shouldn't go broke with this hand. This is so important to learn that it deserves repeating. Don't go broke with A-K. While you have a top ten hand, you haven't got anything yet. Not even a pair. This is something to remember when playing Big Slick.

Let's look at the ways A-K is a great hand. You have the two highest ranked cards in your hand, which could give you great power. If it's suited, you hold the nut flush cards and it gives you two cards to the highest possible straight. These are all great ways to win a hand.

The problem with A-K, and this is true with many highly ranked starting hands, is that it is vulnerable to multiple opponents. It is important to raise with this hand preflop and thin the field. Especially in low stakes poker, people are willing to call with any two hands. In multiway action, you probably won't improve and have to hold your hand. And, there is no shame in folding.

On the flop, play cautiously. If you hit your hand, bet it. Don't slow play anything because there is a big possibility that you won't improve. You want to get people off their draw and take this down as quickly as possible.

If you don't hit a pair, but hit a draw, you can still lead out on the flop. You are still representing a big hand and there is the possibility of hitting your flush or straight. In some cases, even hitting a pair on the turn would be the best hand. Betting or raising in this situation could also buy you a free card on the turn if you are in late position. Other people in the hand will check to you on the turn and you can check behind them to try and catch your draw on the river.

Suited A-K is nothing more than a glorified suited connector. There are multiple ways to win with this hand, but don't hang on to it for the sake of it. Many beginning poker players and even some veterans make the mistake and sticking around too long with A-K if they don't hit anything on the flop. Don't be that guy; just take advantage of those players.