If you believe that being dealt “Big Slick” is more of a problem than a potential winner you are certainly not alone. In fact, nearly all professional poker players will tell you that the pocket hand of ace-king is one of the biggest potential nightmares that you can draw, especially when “Big Slick” comes fully dressed in a fine suit!
When you get dealt an ace-king in diamonds, for example, you are almost in the professional poker version of no man’s land. Not only do you have to see the hand through, you most likely will have to play it with at least some aggression as the potential is obviously there for an improved final hand. But the problem is that many times you can end up cleaned out with such hands if not careful.
Positioning, chip counts, and knowledge of opponents are critical for navigating the potential pitfalls of “Big Slick.” Many players get intoxicated with the hand and will over play it. You have to remember that somebody can end up with a pair of aces that will trump “Big Slick” every time, not to mention a pair of kings.
The ultimate problem with “Big Slick” is that it is a hand based on powerful potential rather than a powerful hand in its own right. Add a suit to “Big Slick” and that potential is only magnified, but so are the risks.
The most important thing to do with a pocket hand of ace-king is to remember the difference between potential and actual hands. Remember the old adage, “a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.”