In this free poker article we discuss how to play with big pairs like AA, KK, QQ and JJ
With the best hand, AA it is very important to look for big raise or re-raise if someone raises before you. It is a mistake in strategy with AA to just call a raise because you are missing the opportunity to get more money into the pot with the best hand and more important thing is that you are giving players with weaker hands the opportunity to improve their hands on the flop.
Your goal is to force others to fold or to think you are bluffing with one big card or two big cards and call your big raise. It is important when playing with AA not to slow play with small raise so you won’t allow your opponents to improve on the flop and maybe on future streets and also you will thin out number of opponents.
Once the flop has passed it’s a good idea to go for a large raise not allowing your opponents the chance to call flushes, straights or drawing hands for minimal chips. Try and remember there is the chance that one of the opposing players has made a better “flop” and you may no longer have the best cards. The chances are you should still be the front runner and let the pot grow unless you’re positive someone else now holds the better cards.
When playing hands like KK, QQ and JJ you should raise before the flop. Someone would have maybe A and something lower but it is very rare to come up against a better hand before the flop when holding either of these hands, so raising will reduce the number of players who want to see a flop. Key thing is to limit the number of players who you are up against with either of these hands because the opponents can easily make a better hand than you hitting an Ace on flop to make bigger pair.
On the flop there will be two situations: you will face overcards or you won’t. If there are no overcards on the flop, you should continue to raise. Second situation with overcards on the board is more difficult for you but I suggest to raise a 3 or 4 times a big blind and then evaluate you situation after opponent responds to your raise. If he just calls be patient and cautious because it is unlikely that you will win a big pot any more in this situation. If pot gets bigger you must be prepared to let the hand go.
Always consider the possibility that your opponent could have a better hand than you if they are also playing aggressively by betting and raising too. Playing with big pairs can be sometimes tricky but if you do right raises before flops, and after it is more likely for you to win pot.
I look forward to seeing you at the free poker tables soon!