Is AK a made hand or not and why?

[Roman933]

Not a made hand

Any other starting hand needs to be a pair or stringer to be considered “made.” AK is a strong starting hand, to be sure, but still only Ace High. It doesn’t become “made” until it connects… Just like any other Ace High or any other hand.

 

[Logg]

Getting AKs in the big blind and seeing a 2BB raise get called around to you is a nearly made-hand-type of situation to either bet the pot or jam.

 

[63burner]

Not a made hand, although it is superior..

A pre-flop made hand, is one that stands to win, even if it misses all connectors and suits. So, a pocket pair is the only made hand, pre-flop.
But if you strip it all down, AK if it misses everything, it is nothing but A high, with a K kicker.
It is a superior drawing hand, especially suited. As enticing as it is, AK is a drawing hand.
This is just a quick overall look at AK as a made hand. The rest of Cardschat can fill you in on all the details, options, etc.

 

[fletchdad]

Not quite sure why anyone would make this their little hill to die on.

Yea, right? It's a pretty easy term to define. Listen to Dan Harrington, or Doyle Brunson, Dnegs, and so on (a lot of others) in strategy talks and how they categorize certain groups of hands pre (like "made" hands, which can easily change on the flop), or books such as The Theory of Poker and **** (I dont think it is all that necessary to name all the books that talk about this, but there are many).

So there are lines, but basically, the term has been defined by poker pros for decades. I mean, one can get all "well, what is the meaning of "the"?" if such a pressing need is there to do this. But the term "made hand" is well documented, and if time spent arguing the semantics ín great detail on a term that is pretty much set in its definition seems like time well spent, enjoy the journey.....

I guess some people are just bored.

 

[Roller]

AK is a great preflop starting hand but unless it's an all in jam fest you have to be able to play it to the river. Not a made hand, it's simply often an overplayed starting hand.

 

[StressMit]

AK

A strong hand against only 2 or less

 

[korbal29]

Its a great hand against AQ ,thats all I can say

 

[kanycta99]

AK is not a finished hand, it's not a bad starting hand. But don't overestimate it.

 

[Foxie12340]

AK

No it’s not a made hand. It can be beaten by 22. I thought only pairs were made hands pre flop

 

[CallmeFloppy]

I would consider a "made" hand to be at least a pair or better as listed within every set of playing cards.

 

[DS3]

Yea, right? It's a pretty easy term to define. Listen to Dan Harrington, or Doyle Brunson, Dnegs, and so on (a lot of others) in strategy talks and how they categorize certain groups of hands pre (like "made" hands, which can easily change on the flop), or books such as The Theory of Poker and **** (I dont think it is all that necessary to name all the books that talk about this, but there are many).

So there are lines, but basically, the term has been defined by poker pros for decades. I mean, one can get all "well, what is the meaning of "the"?" if such a pressing need is there to do this. But the term "made hand" is well documented, and if time spent arguing the semantics ín great detail on a term that is pretty much set in its definition seems like time well spent, enjoy the journey.....

I guess some people are just bored.

Well, to state the obvious, do we then start debating whether AQ or KQ suited is a made hand? Or are any two cards to be considered as they potentially could hit a flush or straight? I am just a little baffled why this has become a matter of debate (even if some see it a grey area).

 

[eugenedav]

Ak is the highest nutted no pair hand that has excellent show down value. However it is not a made hand until it hits on the flop turn or river then it's made hand but if you win with without being made then cool.

 

[mushthebush]

It's a hand made of an A and a K. Looks cool, has potential, but a 22 will beat it and that mofo with 22 be smiling like there's no tomorrow. However, I will always be the one holding AK and be beaten by the 22 gambler every now and then, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you best of luck.

 

[okeedokalee]

It is a drawing hand and loses frequently when the holder can't give it up when raised.

 

[KozakAlex]

A strong hand, but it does not win in all cases. There may not be A or K and accompanying street, Flash. As a result, the loss to the pair is 2 2 and that's it. Therefore, I do not understand your optimism about A. K. Is a good option, but I like the hidden set more. The opponent does not realize the strength of the hand, therefore it is easy to go with the same pairs of A to Allin.

 

[CaioBandeiraGomes]

AK good opp

At that moment I left the tournament for being called by 55 and had Ak, the villain made trips. It happens, the important thing is that I did a right thing to be profitable.

 

[AKQ]

i agree fully

 

[Jardel Barros]

AK it's difficult

It's a tricky hand because I start to think I have the best hand and I end up being more aggressive than usual.

 

[fletchdad]

Well, to state the obvious, do we then start debating whether AQ or KQ suited is a made hand? Or are any two cards to be considered as they potentially could hit a flush or straight? I am just a little baffled why this has become a matter of debate (even if some see it a grey area).

Yep, I agree. It is a fine topic to discuss, but to get all vehement about it is silly IMO. So, in the spirit of "been there, done that" I am unsubbing from this thread.

AK is a great starting hand. Call it what you (collectively speaking) want, or accept the definition of the hand as seen by the professional poker world. I don't really care either way, as I said, been there, done that.

GL to all at the tables in any case.

 

[nutself]

AK is a dangerous hand to both its holder and his opponent, a lot of time the life and death of a tourney depends on the outcome of the preflop all-in with it. AK is given too much responsibility in such situations.

 

[INISHTE]

Hi Friend.

It's not a made hand, but it blocks A and K, if someone shows up with AA or KK, it would be very bad luck, I'd have no problem going headfirst with that pair, whether they're the same color or not.

 

[partz]

It's a premium hand, that's for sure

 

[gigantbil]

With AK you feel confident in yourself anyway and you make a raise and you can twist the opponent to his preflop raise

 

[Skot_Gy]

It is not a made hand by definition.
But it's a great hand fo raise/shove preflop in tournaments.
I always try to maximise this hand. Not always succeeds

 

[VikyGia]

Hi

AK is considered the best hand being of the same color, however my opinion is that I prefer AA