Quick answer
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KK by the numbers
- vs 1 random hand
- 82.5%
- all-in equity
- vs 5 random hands
- 42.3%
- full 6-max table
- Flop a set or better
- 11.8%
- about 1 in 8.5
- How often dealt
- 0.45%
- 1 in 221
How to play KK by position
6-max cash game, around 100 big blinds deep.
- Early position (UTG)
- Open-raise. Kings are far too strong to limp or flat-call.
- Middle position (hijack)
- Open-raise, or 3-bet if someone has already opened.
- Late position (cutoff, button)
- Open-raise from the cutoff or button, and 3-bet any open from earlier seats.
- Blinds
- Raise when folded to, and 3-bet against opens. Out of position you want to build the pot before the flop.
- Facing a raise
- Re-raise every time. Facing a 4-bet at 100bb, kings are almost always strong enough to continue, and many players simply move all-in.
After the flop
- On ace-high flops, slow down against several opponents. A single ace on board does not mean you must fold, but avoid building a huge pot blindly.
- On low, dry boards keep betting for value: overpairs get paid by top pair and middle pairs.
- Use your position and bet sizing to deny equity on wet boards, where draws have many outs against you.
KK against common hands
Kings only win 18.6% against AA, which is why the AA vs KK clash is the most famous cooler. Against AKo they win 69.6%, and against QQ they win 81.1%: a typical overpair-versus-underpair matchup.
| Against | KK wins | Tie | KK loses |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-A | 18.6% | 0.4% | 81.0% |
| A-K offsuit | 69.6% | 0.8% | 29.6% |
| Q-Q | 81.1% | 0.4% | 18.5% |
All-in before the flop, exact results from every possible board. Suits as dealt in our example; figures shift slightly with other suit combinations.
What KK makes by the river
If you see all five board cards, your best five-card hand ends up as each of these this often. Exact figures from every possible board.
- Straight flush0.01%
- Four of a kind0.8%
- Full house8.6%
- Flush2.0%
- Straight1.2%
- Three of a kind11.8%
- Two pair39.7%
- One pair36.0%
Common mistakes with KK
- Folding kings before the flop because you fear aces. Your opponent holds aces far less often than you think.
- Playing a big pot on an ace-high flop against an opponent who has called a 3-bet with many ace-x hands.
- Flat-calling a raise to ‘disguise’ the hand and letting a weak ace see a cheap flop.
Where KK sits in the chart
Suited hands above the diagonal, offsuit below, pairs on it. Number = equity against one random hand. A white dot means the hand has a full guide.
Pocket kings FAQ
Should I fold kings if I think my opponent has aces?
Before the flop at 100bb, almost never. There are far more hands like QQ, JJ and AK that will put in a lot of chips than there are combinations of aces.
What if an ace hits the flop?
Proceed with care. Against a single opponent a small bet or a check can work; against several players, expect someone to hold an ace.
How do I play kings when short-stacked in a tournament?
With 15bb or less, shove or raise and call any all-in. Kings are a clear push in every seat.