In Counter-Strike, a single player kills all five opponents in one round. The announcer shouts "Ace!" The word has been part of gaming slang for decades, but it did not start there. In tennis, an ace is a serve the opponent cannot touch. In golf, a hole-in-one. In flying, a pilot who shot down five enemy planes. The common thread is solo dominance. You did it alone, and you did it perfectly.

In team games, an ace is rare. It requires skill, timing, and a little luck. Teammates remember it. Clip channels replay it. The term has spread to other shooters like Valorant and Overwatch, though the exact definition shifts. In some games, an ace means killing the entire enemy team. In others, it means winning a 1v5 clutch. Either way, it is a highlight.

Related gaming terms

• Pentakill: killing all five enemies in a MOBA like League of Legends.
• Team wipe: eliminating the entire opposing team, often with help.
• Clutch: winning a round under extreme pressure.

The word also appears outside gaming. "Ace" can mean an expert, a trusted friend, or a playing card. In asexual communities, it is a short form of asexual. Context decides everything. In a voice chat, it is a celebration.