One
of the most instantly gratifying
things in poker is to look
down at your hand and squeeze
out a monster hand. These
hands can be broken down
into being those that are
pocket Jacks, through pocket
Aces. While these are great
starting hands to see, you
can’t just play them
with no regard for your
opponents or the board.
You need to be aware of
things like your position
in the hand, and all of
your opponents who you are
facing.
Slow Playing Can
Lead To Disaster!
A lot of
people want to slow-play
their monster hand before
the flop, however this is
not always the best idea.
If you are going to use
this play, you really need
to have a great idea of
how your opponents are playing
and be able to put them
on a hand. When you slow
play a big hand, you are
letting the other players
into the hand for a good
price, and those players
who are holding hands such
as small pairs, and suited
connector hands have a chance
to improve. These are players
that would have folded to
a raise before the flop.
If you make just a call
from middle position with
Ks – Kh, 4 players
head to the flop, and the
flop comes Ac-Jc-10c, you
are more than likely in
pretty big trouble. With
it being a multi-way pot,
there is a very good chance
that someone has a club,
or a straight already. Slow
playing can be very rewarding,
but it is a big risk.
If you are comfortable
with the flow of the table,
you can at times slow play
pocket Aces, only because
there is no possibility
of an over-card coming on
the flop. When the flop
comes you need to obviously
be very cautious of flush
and straight draws. Generally,
you always want to raise
with your big pairs. Bet
sizing is important here,
as you want the middle pairs
calling, but those with
a weak Ace, or suited connectors
folding before they get
a chance to improve.
Playing a Monster in Early
Position
You can play Aces in a
variety of ways from this
spot, because unless the
flop has straight or flush
textures, you will still
be way ahead 9 times out
of 10. If you are playing
Jacks – Kings, raising
before the flop is a must.
This puts you in control
of the hand from the start,
and if an Ace hits, you
can usually take the pot
down with a good continuation
bet representing a strong
Ace.
Playing a Monster in Middle
to Late Position
In these positions at the
table, you are able to slowplay
your big hands a little
more comfortably. You will
have the added advatage
of most or all of the action
being before you, and have
a good idea of what they
are holding bassed on their
betting patterns.
Playing Your Monster on
the Flop
If you raised pre-flop
with your big hand, you
should not be facing more
than one or two players
in the pot. Before making
your decision, you should
take some things into account.
Are your opponents playing
a tight, passive game, or
are they being aggressive?
Would your opponent have
called your raise with a
hand like a weak Ace? What
is the flop holding, any
draws? If you are currently
beat, how many outs do you
have?
Sometimes, you are a little
unsure and will need to
find out where you are at
in the hand, and you can
do this with a feeler bet.
Making a bet around half,
or 2/3rds the pot wil let
you know. If the flop holds
an Ace, and you have KK,
and your bet gets called
quickly, you can be pretty
sure your beat and either
surrender the betting or
hope to check through. If
there is hesitation from
the other player, you can
consider that your opponent
is on a draw of some sort,
and can play the turn with
confidence, knowing where
you stand.
Knowing When To Let Go
The biggest mistake players
make with big pocket pairs
is not being able to let
them go. Do not feel like
you are pot committed just
because you raised pre-flop,
especially when you are
clearly beat. In Hold Em,
having a big pocket pair
is nice, but doesnt do much
good against a flopped nut
straight.
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