For the novice player, getting two face cards can be overwhelming, to get an ace-king, it is almost unbearable. Even more experienced players have a hard time throwing away a hand like that, even when it is obvious that they should. There are some misconceptions about the ace-king that make it an extremely overvalued hand.

For one thing, ace-king is really no better than any other two cards. They are high, but they are still just two cards. If your AK is suited, you might have something, but if not, then they are just two high cards. You could end up with a flop, river, and turn with no aces and no kings, leaving you in the lurch. One of the biggest problems with the ace-king hand is the false sense of security that it provides the holder of the hand.

If your ace-king happens to be suited, you are in a much better position. If they are suited, you are not only set up for two high pairs or a straight, but also for a flush or a royal straight flush. This gives you far more possibilities for a win.

You need to be careful, however, about the chances for other people at the table to get a straight draw or a flush draw. People lose lots of money in poker because they can’t fold a hand that they think should be good, so if the flop comes and it is all low cards, not suited to your cards, you need to find the strength to fold the hand and get ready for the next one.