Is Big Slick Really all that Powerful?
Daniel Negreanu

When you watch poker on TV you'll often hear the commentators refer to A-K as a monster hand. It's often grouped with hands like AA, KK, and QQ. This is a mistake.

Sure it's nice to look down at your hole cards and find an A-K but more often than not if you end up playing a big pot with this hand you are statistically behind. The most likely situation is what would be called a "coin flip" situation, where the outcome is close to 50-50. For example:

2d 2s 53.05
Ah Kc 46.95

Yes that's right. Even a lowly pair of deuces is a favorite over the "powerful" Big Slick. Big Slick is even worse off against some of the premium starting hands it will often be up against. Here is how A-K does against the top five pairs:

(percentages are approximate, based on 2.5 million deals)

10-10 57.25
Ah Kc 42.75

J-J 57.23
Ah Kc 42.77

Q-Q 57.16
Ah Kc 42.84

K-K 70.03
Ah Kc 29.97

A-A 92.57
Ah Kc 7.43

So as you can see, when Big Slick is up against these premium pairs it is hardly a coin flip, especially against the two top hands (AA and KK).

Of course your opponent won't always have a pair and when he doesn't, the A-K does start looking like a monster- especially if your opponent has an Ace or a King in his hand. If your opponent held K-Q or A-Q for example, you would have him "dominated"- meaning that he would only have one live card to out draw you.

In that case your Big Slick would be a substantial favorite:

Ah Kc 73.98
As Qd 26.02

Ah Kc 74.20
Kd Qs 25.80

Now that is the ideal situation with a hand like Big Slick if you happen to find yourself in a big pot. There is one other group of hands that your Big Slick might match up against that would be interesting to look at: two "live cards" that are suited:

Ah Kc 58.07
7d 8d 41.93

That should give you a little statistical background on this enigma of a hand. In some cases it is quite strong, while in others its extremely vulnerable. So in knowing this, the key to playing A-K before the flop is to avoid getting involved in big pots when you're entire stake is on the line.

Too often when your opponent is willing to put all of his money up against you, he'll have the dreaded A-A or K-K which would make you a substantial underdog to win the hand.

If you find yourself in a no limit hold'em tournament looking down at Big Slick, you want to be aggressive with it and attack the blinds. However, if you receive any resistance from your opponents you should seriously consider folding the hand and waiting for a better situation.

A few things to think about:

1) How many chips do you have? If you are short stacked and need to win a big pot to get back in the game, then you should probably be very aggressive with Big Slick and go all in! However, if you have a good stack of chips and another player at the table raised you big time...well then you likely don't need to get involved in this marginal situation.

2) How do your opponents play? This is a very important consideration when considering playing Big Slick. If the "Rock of Gibralter", a player who is extremely conservative re-raises you, you can be pretty sure that he does have a pair. A pair that just might be AA or KK. On the flipside of that, if your opponent is wild and reckless, your Big Slick might be in great shape against a hand like A-J or even K-10.

The important thing to understand about Big Slick is that it's a drawing hand. Now if it's suited, it makes it the most powerful drawing hand you can be dealt in Texas Hold'em. But remember- it's a drawing hand. It is usually only good if you pair your Ace or King, or get lucky enough to make a straight or a flush.

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