A hand is nothing without context of the cards on the table if you ask me.
AK ? AA? QA? Sure they can increase your chances but end of day- you just know someone (and that someone will be me on occasion) is playing 4 7 offsuit - just because it's so unexpected... or 2 9 - and hits the two pair. heh
I don't succumb to AK fever, but my oh my - I've seen SO many people - barking down the parking lot (I create random goofy terms instead of common 'flop - turn - river), all the way to the feed wagon with their AK and I'll have 22 or 55 etc.
People somehow think that ratty AK will magically win them ANY hand.
Perhaps we can blame youtube ! heh and all the videos where people say 'You MUST shove on AK or My Gawwwwwd- you FOLDED AK'
Heck - I've folded AA before.
Sometimes you can read the board and realize- there is a straight going on - and there USUALLY IS when you read it that way.
Me? EVERY card can be as powerful as any other, with exception that the higher cards by MERE ORDINAL value - higher being more valuable - have a SLIGHT advantage...
Someone having Trip 2's cracking their AA has probably sent many a fool drinking heavily way too early before lunch.
Now, I DO favor anything 5 and below - because the Ace has a special dual purpose of play in my world. Then again I HAVE watched tutorials - etc- but at the same time? I like to develop my own sense of intuition and I place final table a LOT - I need to move to higher stakes indeed.. I play safe and conservative.