Sorry Loustic but yes AK is over rated;
First off you [you==all poker players] need to remember AK is a drawing hand and not made hand.
AA, KK, & QQ are made hands, they are typically top pair.
Now that doesn't mean AK is a bad hand, however comma it IS a DRAWING hand. AK suited is much better than AKoff as there's nothing worse than 3 clubs on the board and your AcKd. Now do you insta-muck AcKd; no. But you do need to understand the strength of the hand in relation to the flop [and if you don't hit the flop]. AA KK QQ do NOT necessarily need to hit the flop to be good.
I have a tendency to LIMP w/ AKoff and Raise 3x w/ AKsuited [1st 2nd position]; I'll call 3xBB w/ AKoff, and 7 [maybe 9] xbb w/ AKsuited;
But if there are 3 strong players raising & re-raising, I have laid down AK [suited or not] and more times than not been PROFITABLE [which is what it's about]. I've seen AA get re-raised by KK, and KQ suited all-- flop comes 973 rainbow, and mentally patted myself on the back.
Personally I'd rate the hands:::
AA
KK
QQ
AKsuited
JJ
AK off
KQ
TT
KJ
QJ
99
Every player has their own preference, have been burnt by KK [ace magnets], hate JJ, love TT, etc.... But realize someone playing J9 hitting their J is better than your AK and not better than your QQ
hth
TroyC
ahh, just found a link
http://www.4kingpoker.com/article/7-..._ak_hands.html
pretty much sums this up... liking 4K better every day