22 vs AK: Odds & Interactive Calculator
| Hand | Win | Tie | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (Pocket Deuces) | 51.7% | 0.6% | 52.0% |
| AK (Ace-King) | 47.7% | 0.6% | 48.0% |
Suited vs offsuit: AK
| Matchup | Win | Tie | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AKs | 49.6% | 0.6% | 49.9% |
| AKo | 47.0% | 0.6% | 47.4% |
How 22 vs AK unfolds by street
Pocket Deuces (22) is still ahead on 65% of flops against AK, and the lead survives to the turn on 60%. AK takes the lead on the other 35% of flops. These figures come from full board enumeration, not a simulation.
| Street | 22 still ahead | AK flipped the lead |
|---|---|---|
| Flop | 65% | 35% |
| Turn | 60% | 40% |
When a pair meets two bigger cards you get a flip, and 22 vs AK is exactly that: 22 wins 51.7%, AK wins 47.7%, and 0.6% of boards chop. The overcards lean on six live outs — either Ace or King pairs to take the lead — which is why the unpaired side converts about 47.7%, the math behind every "I have to gamble" all-in in a tournament.
Think in variance terms: 52.0% equity means 22 loses this all-in nearly 48 times in 100, so even a "dominant" spot is a coin you'll see come up tails plenty. Getting it in as the 52.0% favorite is correct every time; the 48.0% that goes the other way is math, not a misplay.
In practice, 22 vs AK rewards aggression from the favorite and caution from the dog: 22 wants to realize its 51.7% edge by getting value and denying free cards, while AK should lean on fold equity and position rather than hoping to win the pot at showdown about 1 time in 2.
Where to take 22 vs AK next
Getting it in near the money bubble or at a final table? Chip equity isn't prize equity — check the spot in the ICM calculator before you call off your stack.
Played a hand like this yourself? Import it into the poker hand analyzer for a street-by-street review of every decision, not just the all-in.
For the bigger picture, the poker tournament strategy guide covers when to shove and when to fold as stacks shrink, and what GTO poker is explains why strong players think in ranges rather than single hands.
New to the game? The poker hand rankings chart shows which hand wins at showdown, how to play poker: a beginner's guide walks through the rules and betting rounds, and the poker strategy guide shows where preflop equity fits into a winning game plan.
22 vs AK FAQ
Who wins 22 vs AK preflop?
22 (Pocket Deuces) is the favorite, winning 51.7% of all runouts, while AK (Ace-King) wins 47.7%. The remaining 0.6% are split pots. Counting splits as half, 22's preflop equity is 52.0%.
Does the 22 vs AK probability change all-in preflop?
No. Once both hands are all-in preflop the odds are set by the cards alone — position, stack size and who bet first change nothing. The only thing that moves the number is suits: 22's equity runs from 49.9% to 53.0% depending on suitedness and which suits the two hands share, which is why different sites quote slightly different figures. It does change once board cards are dealt (22 leads on 65% of flops) and in multiway pots, where every extra caller takes equity from both hands.
Is 22 vs AK a good spot to get all-in?
For 22, yes — a 52.0% favorite should happily commit, especially with fold equity. For AK at 48.0%, it depends on the price: enough to continue with initiative, but thin enough that stacking off out of position is usually a leak.
Does 22 hold up against AK after the flop?
22 is still ahead on 65% of flops and stays ahead through the turn on 60% of boards; AK takes the lead on the other 35% of flops. These are exact figures from full board enumeration.
Run any matchup in the free equity calculator · JJ VS KQ · TT VS AQ · TT VS AJ · TT VS KQ · TT VS KJ · TT VS QJ
See also: hand-vs-range preflop equity — your hand against a real opening, 3-bet, or shove range.