AKo vs AQo: all-in odds before the flop
Preflop
All-in before the flop, AKo wins 71.7% of the time and AQo 23.7%; the pot is split 4.59% of the time.
- 74.0%AKo equity
- 26.0%AQo equity
- 2.8 to 1odds against AQo
- 1,712,304boards dealt, every one
The Head-to-Head Advantage
Ace-King offsuit holds a distinct mathematical edge over Ace-Queen offsuit when both hands go all-in before the flop. The table below breaks down the outcomes across every possible board combination. Ace-King wins outright more often than Ace-Queen does. This advantage stems from the higher kicker card. When both players pair their ace, the king beats the queen. This scenario happens frequently enough to drive the overall equity difference. The underdog still wins a significant portion of hands, usually by pairing the queen or hitting a straight draw that outkicks the king's potential pairs. The gap in equity reflects this consistent kicker dominance.
| Hand | Wins | Splits | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A♣K♦ | 71.7% | 4.6% | 74.0% |
| A♥Q♠ | 23.7% | 4.6% | 26.0% |
Why the King Wins More
The core mechanic is the kicker hierarchy. Both hands share the ace, so the second card decides many pots. If the board shows an ace, Ace-King wins unless the board pairs the queen higher than the king, which is rare. Ace-King also has more straight possibilities because the king connects with more middle cards. Ace-Queen relies on the queen pairing or specific straight combinations. The odds against the underdog are steep but not insurmountable. The underdog wins outright often enough to matter in long-term calculations. These figures apply strictly to these specific suits and ranks, with all five community cards dealt.
The Role of Suits
Suits affect split pots more than outright wins. Since both hands hold an ace, flushes are less likely to decide the winner compared to kicker pairs. However, identical suits can lead to split pots if the board creates a flush or straight that both hands share equally. The split percentage is small but consistent. It represents boards where neither kicker matters or where the board plays itself. For more detailed calculations, use the equity calculator. If gambling stops being fun, free help is available via support resources.
Questions
Does Ace-King always beat Ace-Queen?
No. Ace-King wins more often due to the higher kicker, but Ace-Queen wins outright in a substantial number of scenarios. The edge is consistent but not absolute.
Why do suits matter in this matchup?
Suits primarily influence split pots. Since both hands share the ace, flushes are less decisive than kicker pairs. Identical suits can lead to ties when the board plays itself.
How often does the underdog win?
Ace-Queen wins outright in a minority of cases, typically when the queen pairs or forms a strong straight. The equity gap reflects the kicker advantage of Ace-King.
Are these odds different for suited hands?
Suited hands have slightly higher equity due to flush potential. The relative advantage of Ace-King over Ace-Queen remains similar, driven by the kicker hierarchy.
Every figure on this page is computed by code from a standard 52-card deck, counting every possible card and checking the count a second way. See the methodology.