An Ace is the best card in poker, and because of its top ranking, some poker online players will call or bet with any Ace in hand, regardless of their kicker card.

Though an Ace may look good pre-flop, especially when there is no raise, it does not always finish as a winner. Anything can happen once that flop comes out. A pokerplayer with pocket 2s could complete to a set; or three cards to suit that misses your Ace gives another player a flush. When your are forced to decide to play your Ace pre-flop by another player’s raise, you have to consider the strength of your kicker. A suited Ace with a face holds more power than unsuited cards. When the kicker card is 10-K, there is always the possibility of making high pair or even having the Broadway straight materialize. A medium strength kicker, from 6 – 9, is very weak because it cannot complete to a straight.

When the kicker is a small card, from 2-5, there is the slim chance of hitting the wheel straight, but only a small chance of hitting high pair with your Ace. And when you do, you are still holding a weak kicker against another player who may also have paired the Ace. Do not assume the Ace is top card. An aggressive bet ahead of you pre-flop typically indicates a made pair or at least a strong Ace, like AK. When you have an Ace with a weak kicker, fold it.

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