First of all let’s make sure that everyone understands what a Big Slick is. If you are dealt an Ace and a King as your first two cards, then you have a Big Slick. Getting such a card combination is rather rare and it is one of the better hands to start with. Most poker players get carried away when they get a Big Slick and overplay their hand. Having such a good hand makes them think they will surely win the round and get that big pot. And winning pot after pot is what will get you to win the poker tournament.
The Big Slick is a tricky hand. You are well advised to be extremely cautious whenever you get it. A Big Slick can be a blessing and win you the tournament or a curse and lose you the tournament. You have to be extra careful about how you play a Big Slick. The first thing you must keep away from is going all-in every time you are dealt an Ace and a King. It may be a good idea to go all-in if you’re short stacked and you want to make a stand, but otherwise, do not do it.
As a rule of thumb, whenever you are dealt an Ace and a King, do not rush into things. Take a little time to think about it; do not simply put all your chips on the line. Ask yourself a few questions first:
- What is your table position? Are you in early, middle or late?
- How does your chips stack compare with the opposition?
Take the time to answer these questions and act according to the answer you come up with. Remember to always think before you act.
Let’s say that you are in early table position, and there have been no callers or raisers before it’s your turn to act. In this case you should definitely raise. But make sure to raise big so as to discourage all the players holding weak hands. Raising the big blind three or four times should do the trick. You will thus let all the other players around the table know you have a strong hand and you mean business. The players holding weak hands will pick up on this and fold.
Let’s say that you are in middle to late table position, or in small or big blind position. There have been raises before you or perhaps even a re-raise. In this case you should fold. The players that raised and even re-raised may be holding better hands, such as Ace-Ace or King-King. Your Ace-King, Big Slick is no match and you are well advised to fold. You should also fold if you have raised the pot from early position and another player re-raised.
Note that Big Slick is not an exceptionally strong hand. It may look like a very strong hand, but it is simply Ace high. If the flop passes and you do not improve your hand, you may very well lose.
The flop is a crucial time for your Big Slick. Chances are 2-to-1 that you will get an Ace or a King. If you do get a pair, you can continue the game. If you do not, putting more money into the pot is up to you and you should give it serious consideration. If you are first to act post-flop, then you should play a continuation bet. This will show all the other players around the table that you were serious pre-flop and your hand has improved after the flop.
Big Slick may look like a strong hand, but if after the flop you did not get an Ace or a King, any player holding a pair can beat you. This refers to those players that were holding a pair pre-flop and the players that hit a pair on the flop. If after the flop you notice a player betting large amounts, and you are still holding nothing more than a Big Slick, you are well advised to fold. The tournament is not over and there are other pots to win.
Note that staying in the game and putting more money in the pot in hopes of getting a strong hand on the turn or river is not a good idea. Chances are you will lose the pot and even lose the opportunity to finish in the money if you have recklessly put to much money into that pot.
The point I am trying to make is that Big Slick is a good hand to get, but do not get carried away. Just because you got an Ace and a King does not mean you will win the pot. You must use your head and play smart. Always keep in mind that Big Slick is nothing more than Ace high. Your chances of winning the pot are small if you do not improve your hand on the flop. And even if you do improve, you may still be behind and lose.
Big Slick is the most overplayed hand in poker tournaments. Do not be dazzled by it and play sensibly. Fold if you are behind. There’s no point in overplaying your hand and losing a lot of money. Folding a Big Slick if you are behind is the most sensible thing to do. You may have lost that pot, but you are still in the tournament and there are other pots to be won.