You can't lose your house, wife or car if you play A-K after a Flop

 Flop! Don't Lose your House, Wife and Car.

Do you recognize the Ace-King hand?

Your hand is one of the strongest in poker. You will raise it to increase the odds of your opponents folding, and also add some value to the pot. While some of your opponents will fold, three others will call and join you for the ride.

The flop cards are Jspades (10spades), and 3hearts. Although your Ace-King was not flipped, you still have a strong draw thanks to a spade flush draw or straight flush draw.

After the flop you were the aggressor and you go out betting. You place a large pot bet, trying to prove your opponent that you're still strong and you mean business. You see two of your opponents are tired and pack up and leave the hand. However, your third opponent suddenly comes back and raises you.

You now face a tough decision. Finally, you call the raise.

You are first to act if you have the 8hearts as your turn card. Now, you must make a tough decision. Your opponent has demonstrated some serious strength on flop, which indicates that he wants to protect his hand against the flush draw. He has not made the flush draw and it is likely that he will attempt to protect it again regardless of whether or not you bet.

So, you decide to check. Your opponent moves all-in.

The above example shows how difficult Ace-King is to play after a flop. While it may look pretty, and it is a strong starting hand hand, at the end of day it is a draw hand. If you do not connect with the river, turn, or flop then you will only have Ace high.

How do I Play Ace King?

It is important to understand Ace-King, and to play it like a drawing card. It's okay to be aggressive and play it like a drawing hand before the flop.

This is the time to assess which type of players are facing you. You must keep track of what your opponents did in the past so you can take the best possible action against them.

If you're up against a very close player, and he has raised your bet pre-flop, you can be certain that he is the one to beat.

You might find a looser opponent, but he may just be willing to go along. Your strong ace high or strong drawing could still keep you in good shape.

Ace-King should be played aggressively prior to the flop, and cautiously after it. A WINNING POKER STRATEGY - HOW TO PLAY AK