AQ vs 98s: Preflop Equity & Odds
| Hand | Win | Tie | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ (Ace-Queen) | 59.7% | 0.4% | 59.9% |
| 98s (Nine-Eight Suited) | 39.8% | 0.4% | 40.1% |
Suited vs offsuit: AQ
| Matchup | Win | Tie | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQs | 61.6% | 0.5% | 61.9% |
| AQo | 59.1% | 0.4% | 59.3% |
How AQ vs 98s unfolds by street
Ace-Queen (AQ) is still ahead on 70% of flops against 98s, and the lead survives to the turn on 66%. 98s takes the lead on the other 30% of flops. These figures come from full board enumeration, not a simulation.
| Street | AQ still ahead | 98s flipped the lead |
|---|---|---|
| Flop | 70% | 30% |
| Turn | 66% | 34% |
AQ vs 98s is a four-live-card fight — no pair, no shared rank, just rank order and geometry. AQ wins 59.7%, 98s wins 39.8%, and 0.4% of boards chop. Whoever pairs first usually scoops, so the edge comes from AQ making the higher pair plus whatever straight and flush equity runs between the two hands.
At a final table the raw 59.9% / 40.1% split is only half the story — ICM bends it. As the 40.1% underdog, 98s pays an extra survival premium, so the chip-EV "close enough" call can be a clear ICM fold. The pure equity sets the floor; the payout ladder sets the real price.
In practice, AQ vs 98s rewards aggression from the favorite and caution from the dog: AQ wants to realize its 59.7% edge by getting value and denying free cards, while 98s should lean on fold equity and position rather than hoping to win the pot at showdown about 1 time in 3.
AQ vs 98s FAQ
Who wins AQ vs 98s preflop?
AQ (Ace-Queen) is the favorite, winning 59.7% of all runouts, while 98s (Nine-Eight Suited) wins 39.8%. The remaining 0.4% are split pots. Counting splits as half, AQ's preflop equity is 59.9%.
How often does 98s beat AQ?
98s wins 39.8% of the time all-in preflop against AQ — a genuine underdog, but with enough live outs (about 1 in 3) that the matchup is closer than the favorite would like.
Is AQ vs 98s a good spot to get all-in?
For AQ, yes — a 59.9% favorite should happily commit, especially with fold equity. For 98s at 40.1%, it depends on the price: enough to continue with initiative, but thin enough that stacking off out of position is usually a leak.
Does AQ hold up against 98s after the flop?
AQ is still ahead on 70% of flops and stays ahead through the turn on 66% of boards; 98s takes the lead on the other 30% of flops. These are exact figures from full board enumeration.
Run any matchup in the free equity calculator · AK VS QJ · AK VS QT · AQ VS KJ · AQ VS KT · AQ VS JT · AJ VS KQ