KK vs KQ: Preflop Equity & Odds
| Hand | Win | Tie | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| KK (Pocket Kings) | 89.4% | 1.2% | 90.0% |
| KQ (King-Queen) | 9.4% | 1.2% | 10.0% |
Suited vs offsuit: KQ
| Matchup | Win | Tie | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| KQs | 13.3% | 1.2% | 13.9% |
| KQo | 8.1% | 1.2% | 8.7% |
How KK vs KQ unfolds by street
Pocket Kings (KK) is still ahead on 98% of flops against KQ, and the lead survives to the turn on 95%. KQ takes the lead on the other 2% of flops, almost always by flopping a set. These figures come from full board enumeration, not a simulation.
| Street | KK still ahead | KQ flipped the lead |
|---|---|---|
| Flop | 98% | 2% |
| Turn | 95% | 5% |
KK vs KQ is a card-removal spot: the pair holds one of the cards the unpaired hand most wants. KK wins 89.4%, KQ wins 9.4%, and 1.2% of boards chop. Blocking an out (and vice versa) pushes the favorite past a clean race — it's one of the most common all-in confrontations you'll actually face.
At a final table the raw 90.0% / 10.0% split is only half the story — ICM bends it. As the 10.0% underdog, KQ 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, KK vs KQ rewards aggression from the favorite and caution from the dog: KK wants to realize its 89.4% edge by getting value and denying free cards, while KQ should lean on fold equity and position rather than hoping to win the pot at showdown about 1 time in 11.
KK vs KQ FAQ
Who wins KK vs KQ preflop?
KK (Pocket Kings) is the favorite, winning 89.4% of all runouts, while KQ (King-Queen) wins 9.4%. The remaining 1.2% are split pots. Counting splits as half, KK's preflop equity is 90.0%.
How often does KQ beat KK?
KQ wins 9.4% of the time all-in preflop against KK — roughly 1 in 11 — so it needs good pot odds or fold equity to get the money in profitably.
Is KK vs KQ a good spot to get all-in?
For KK, yes — a 90.0% favorite should happily commit, especially with fold equity. For KQ at 10.0%, it depends on the price: enough to continue with initiative, but thin enough that stacking off out of position is usually a leak.
Does KK hold up against KQ after the flop?
KK is still ahead on 98% of flops and stays ahead through the turn on 95% of boards; KQ takes the lead on the other 2% of flops. These are exact figures from full board enumeration.
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