Are You Playing Ace-King Like a GTO Wizard?
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Peeling back your hole cards to reveal an ace and a king can be a rollercoaster moment for any poker player. On one hand, there's the rush of excitement—Big Slick is a premium hand with the potential to dominate the table. On the other, there's a flicker of unease as memories of busted tournaments and bad beats resurface like unwelcome ghosts.
Ace-King is one of the most debated hands in poker, celebrated for its power yet notorious for its pitfalls. It's the hand that makes players across all stakes ask the same burning question: "How do you play Ace-King?"
If you've ever found yourself puzzled by the complexities of Big Slick, don't worry—you’re not alone. In this guide, GTO Wizard breaks down the key strategies for mastering one of poker's most dynamic and polarizing hands.
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Common Issues with Ace-King in MTT's
Ace-King might be a premium hand, but it's far from foolproof. Even experienced players can misstep with Big Slick, especially in the high-pressure environment of multi-table tournaments (MTTs).
Mismanaging this hand can quickly turn a strong starting position into a costly mistake. The below points highlight some of the most common pitfalls players encounter when navigating Ace-King in MTTs:
- Stacking off too many big blinds: Some players tend to overcommit their stacks with Ace-King, finding themselves in spots where they're only ever up against pocket kings or aces.
- Never flat-calling: A common mistake is failing to call three- or four-bets enough with Ace-King, instead defaulting to shoving all-in because it feels easier.
- Defaulting to a check-down post-flop: When ace-king misses the flop, some players become overly passive, opting to check down and hope their ace-high holds up at showdown.
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Raising First in (RFI) with Ace-King
GTO Wizard color key
- Green = Limp
- Red = Raise
- Dark red = All-In
When you're hovering around the 20-big-blind mark, it’s tempting to shove preflop with Ace-King and let fate decide. But while this aggressive move might seem straightforward, it’s often not the most profitable play. Understanding the nuances of how to approach this stack depth can make all the difference.
For Ace-King offsuit, solvers suggest a more calculated approach. With stacks of 17–20 big blinds, the preferred play across all positions is to make a standard raise. In later positions and the small blind, mixing in some limps can also be optimal. Even when facing a limp from the big blind, hands like A♥K♣ should mostly stick to raising instead of shoving.
It’s not until you’re down to around 14 big blinds that open-shoving becomes the go-to strategy. At this stack depth, jamming Ace-King strengthens the EV of your shoving range, supporting hands like suited Broadway cards and weaker aces that rely on fold equity to remain profitable.
The chart above outlines the raise-first-in (RFI) strategy for Ace-King suited, and it highlights just how differently this premium hand plays compared to its offsuit counterpart. Unlike Ace-King offsuit, the solver avoids shoving Ace-King suited at the 17–20 big blind mark, favoring a mix of raises and limps instead. Even at 12–14 big blinds, all-in moves are off the table, with more emphasis on limping.
Why the hesitation to shove? Ace-King suited’s strong post-flop playability allows you to realize its potential without prematurely scaring off opponents. By keeping weaker hands in the pot, you maximize your ability to extract value.
However, once you’re down to a 10-big-blind stack, it’s time to push all your chips into the middle with a hand like A♥K♥. At this depth, shoving becomes the most profitable option, capitalizing on fold equity and ensuring you get the most out of your powerhouse hand.
Ace-King When Facing a Three- or Four-Bet
Mastering Ace-King goes beyond preflop charts and standard plays. It’s about adapting to deeper stack depths, handling aggression, and navigating tricky post-flop scenarios. Whether you’re up against a three-bet, a four-bet, or just trying to make the most of Big Slick post-flop, understanding the right moves is key to maximizing your EV.
Ready to take your Ace-King game to the next level? Watch the video to dive deeper into advanced strategies, including how to handle deeper stacks, the best responses to three- and four-bets, and crucial post-flop insights that will sharpen your edge at the tables.
