Biggus Slickus - So Powerful only two hands put it in deep trouble, yet so weak it can be beaten by a pair of twos! If you're holding AK, it's either suited or non-suited. Pre-flop the value of each is much the same, however post flop; the suited version can be much more coveted.

Like AA, AK can win or lose you a big pot and sometimes you will have to make do with the blinds. One difference with AK is that it is much easier to lay down after a bad flop, or at least you would think so. There are still plenty of players who will happily call or bluff off all their chips with it after a decidedly scary flop.

It is a hand that plays similarly to AA when deep-stacked or early in a tournament, with the exception that you are not going to put all your chips in pre-flop unless you are confident that you are facing a weaker Ace. So how do you maximise your winnings and minimise your losses with this hand?

As with most hands, position makes a big difference how you are going to play this. Let's take a look at pre-flop actions in different positions. Based on a 9-10 handed game.

UTG – UTG +2. You need to base any plays on the make up of the table. If you have aggressive players they are likely to raise if you limp. This is good if you know they will do this with weaker hands, which is the case with most aggressive players. In this case a re-raise pre-flop is likely to win you the pot uncontested as they don't like it when you play back at them. If someone else has already called the raise before you then a flat call and check out the flop is the best option. If you are at a tight table then a standard 3* blind raise here will give you an idea where you stand and may get you just the blinds. You are out of position post-flop here so you want to win a good percentage of these hands pre-flop as you will only hit an Ace or a King one in three times.
Mid-Position – Late Position. Raising is the only option here, unless the pot has previously been opened with a raise. If previously opened a flat call is a good option. As long as no-one else comes into the pot you have position and the ammo to back it up. With any opening raise try to stick the same amount whatever hand you have, it gives your opposition less to work with. Three times the big blind plus whatever has been called already is a good calculation to use when raising pre-flop.

The Button – Raise, Raise, always Raise! Unless the pot has previously been raised of course, then you flat call with guaranteed position on the flop. You should be raising on the Button a good percentage of the time when no one has yet entered the pot regardless of your hand strength. Most of the time you will win the blinds, the times you have to fold to a re-raise sets you up for a potential big pay off when you actually have a big hand on the Button. If you have been raising a good amount of time on the button and find yourself re-raised holding a hand like AK, this is the time to push all in. Once you have folded to a re-raise from the blinds, you will find that the standard hand strength that they re-raise you with drops. Of course sometimes they will have AA or KK and you will need to get lucky. Most times though they will fold or call if pot-committed with a weaker Ace or a pair less than KK.

Small and Big Blind – Post flop you are going to be out of position. As with all hands bar big pairs this hand does not play well post-flop out of position unless you have hit. If the pot has been raised then a re-raise here is in order. The amount you re-raise should be 3 times the initial raise plus any previously called amounts. For example, UTG +1 limps for 100, MP raises to 300, your re-raise is ((3*300) +100) = 1000. If this amount is half your stack or more then there is a good case for moving all in as you are pot committed if raised back. If raised back and you are not pot committed then you are likely up against a genuine hand such as AA or KK, this is when it is down to your knowledge of your opponents play. If you don't know the player you should most likely fold. If it is a player you have notes on then you can make a more informed decision. Anytime someone re-re-raises you should be taking a note of what hand they have done it with, that way if they do it to you then you have a range of hands on which to base your decision. One other thing before you re-raise everybody from the blinds with AK. If some one has raised a third of their stack or more without moving in then they probably are looking for a re-raise and have AA or KK. Unless you are really short stacked then you should think long and hard about folding here.

To conclude, AK is a raising hand not a re-raising hand unless you are pot committed calling the raise. It is OK to pass this hand pre-flop if the circumstances dictate, ie: you can smell the Aces from another continent! It is almost without exception NOT a hand that you put in a third raise with. In fact, if the pot has already been raised twice it another good case to throw them away and hope you are up against less next time you get dealt them.

Click here to play at paddypowerpoker ($101 free no deposit)