Playing AA, KK, AK and other big hands preflop
Certain hands have so much value preflop that you'll often be deciding whether to shoveA raise consisting of a players entire stack - he's all-in! with them or calling an opponent's shove. How and when to shove is slightly less clear, and all most beginners know is that they want to get all their money in but aren't sure what to really do. Fortunately these hands fall into fairly clearly defined situations and a player will have a definite game plan set out for them.AA and KK
We've grouped AA and KK together here since for intents and purposes KK can hold it's own in as many situations as AA. The goal with these hands is to get your entire stack into the pot before the flop. LimpingEntering a hand preflop with the minimum bet (one big blind) in or calling to trap players is a huge mistake since the flop opens up far too many options for your opponents. Getting your opponent to commit to the pot against these hands before the flop is definitely the most profitable way forward - the trick is to persuading them to it.You can't just open shove though - all you'll win are the blinds. If you're out of positionIn early position and having to act before your opponents in the betting round open raise as you would normally (maybe a bit larger if your opponents are unobservant), and hope that someone raises. If they do then you should reraise again, preferably a shove unless you're playing deep. In the situation where you both have very large stacks (> 150bb) playing KK this way becomes more difficult - the only hand that will call you is AA. It's better to make a 4betA fourth raise - you raise, your opponent reraises (a 3bet), then you raise again (the 4bet) that's little more than twice his raise - if he shoves over that then it's more than likely your opponent has AA (unless you know they're overtly aggessive). If you have AA then shoving is perfectly fine.
In position it's the same principle, except you'll make a 3betA third raise - you raise, your opponent reraises you (the 3bet). If your opponent 4 bets, then shove unless you're very deepPlaying with large stacks, usually 200 big blinds or more, in which case flat call with KK and see what the flop brings.
Of course you will lose hands - the fishAn inexperienced or poor player who called with KQs will hit a flush or a straight or an AK against your KK will hit its ace. Take it in your stride - you might have just lost a big pot, but remember that normally you win large pots like this. Don't let yourself tiltPlaying emotionally - for instance angry at losing a hand or being overconfident from winning several hands in a row - just shrug and move on.
AK
AK is the fourth biggest opening hand after AA, KK and QQ. However if it misses the flop then it is simply A high - any opponent who pairs his 36o can beat you. However, the chances of hitting an A or a K on the flop is very high (about 30%), so this is clearly a hand to start the pot off large preflop.The way to play this hand is to make sure you raise preflop, and 3bet any preflop raisers acting before you. It's important to retain initiative in the hand though - if your opponent shoves then folding maybe the best option, as against any pocket pair you're only just ahead, and then a shove will often be AA or KK putting you behind. However, when you have the initiative you always have the option of calling a 4bet and seeing if you hit on the flop, or shoving over their bet with the aim of making them fold.
Simply put, AK is a hand for shoving with, but not for calling shoves. Unless you know your opponent shoves lightRaising with a hand that's typically not strong enough to warrent that raise is referred to as raising light you will want to see the flop before committing more than a 3bet.