American Airlines is a poker nickname for pocket aces—the best possible starting hand in Texas Hold’em. When you’re dealt two aces (like A♠ A♦), you’re holding the strongest preflop hand in the game.
The nickname comes from the double A’s (A-A), which matches the abbreviation for American Airlines. It’s part of poker slang culture, like “Cowboys” for pocket kings or “Snowmen” for pocket eights.
While pocket aces are a premium hand, they aren’t unbeatable. They’re most vulnerable in multi-way pots or on coordinated flops that hit opponents’ draws.
Getting pocket aces feels great—but how you play them makes all the difference between a big win and a brutal bust.
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