Playing Big Slick:

If you've been playing online poker for some time, then no doubt you've been dealt the poker hand commonly known as "Big Slick". Even though Big Slick or or Ace King is considered a premium hand pre flop, exactly how you should play this hand isn't always as straightforward as it might seem.

It could be said that many poker players overvalue Big Slick. You have to remember it's still an unpaired hand that needs improving. I've observed a lot of players, both online and live, who will auto 3 bet this hand, in situations where I don't think it's appropriate.

Is Ace King as good as Aces or Kings? Definitely not, although there will be spots where you would play Big Slick in a similar manner. Big pocket pairs are monster hands that are usually at least a 80% favorite when up against a smaller pocket pair. On the flip side, big slick needs to improve on the flop, turn, or river to have a made hand. Although AK can win at showdown unimproved, and there will certainly be times when you expect AK unimproved to be the best hand on certain boards, the majority of the time you will need to make a pair in order to take down the pot, especially when involved in multi-way pots.

Generally speaking, it should be played aggressively because even though you don't already have a pair, you want to build a bigger pot before the flop for when you do make a top pair hand. When you hit a pair on the flop or later streets you will more then likely have the best hand.

This is a great situation because the weaker players like to play broad way cards such as KJ/AJ/QT etc. When they have a top pair hand they are never folding, so by betting every street for value you can win a sizable pot.

If both your ace and kind is suited, you have even more possible ways to win the hand. In addition to potentially hitting a street, you have the potential to hit the nut flush, so there will be spots where you can be even more aggressive with your suited Big Slick, since when you do flop a flush draw, you will have two over cards in addition to the flush draw, which gives you a large amount of equity to win the hand by the river.

When you are dealt Big Slick, its easier to be aggressive with this premium pre flop hand when you are in late position since your opponents will have to act before you on the flop. Hence, it will be easier to know where you stand in the hand and whether or not you can get a better hand to fold when you happen to miss.

If your out of position, like when you open with a raise UTG, you should really have great reads on your opponents to know whether or not a continuation bet will take down the pot when you miss.

» Summary

In the game of Texas hold'em, Big Slick can be a great hand to raise or re-raise, however, most of the value gained from this hand lies in its post flop potential. If you aren't entering the pot with a raise, it's going to be pretty difficult winning a sizeable pot. Not only that, but by raising with Big Slick you have the initiative in the hand, and the ability to take down pots with a continuation bet with air. Keep in mind that if you are playing against weaker players a.k.a calling stations when you miss the flop you don't want to get attached to your hand, since they will be calling you down with bottom pair. You will find plenty of these kinds of players at RPM Poker. For more information about this online poker room check out my RPM Poker Review.