Tue, 02/08/2011 – 00:22 – PokerPages Staff

So you woke up with pocket aces, what is the best move?  The beginner poker player is faced with numerous decisions when playing poker.  Along with learning the best strategy for poker bets, knowing how to make these decisions are not described in any basic poker rules.  Many decisions are required to come to the best poker betting strategy.  So, alright, what do you do with pocket aces?

There are numerous opinions on how to play pocket aces, but for the beginner player, the general consensus is to NOT slow play aces.  By slow playing aces, you allow opponents get to the flop cheaply.  Thus opponents with weak hands could draw out and beat you and probably for a large chunk of change.

Pocket aces are a favorite to win the pot when there are fewer opponents.  By slow playing aces, you allow more opponents in the pot.  With four or more opponents in the pot, pocket aces are no longer a favorite to win.  Raise the pot with careful bets to isolate opponents and preserve your edge.

When you slow play aces, you do not build up the pot.  Put in a betting raise with your pocket aces so that the pot you win is big.

Many beginners slow play pocket aces because they fear a raise will eliminate opposition and their big hand may only take down the blinds.  The beginner must remember that stealing the blinds with pocket aces is better than losing a big pot to an opponent who draws out a better hand.

To learn more, check out PokerSchoolOnline, the best source on the internet for poker related learning.  Then put those skills to work by playing for free at PokerStars.net.  Also, check out the PokerPages sections Poker Information and Poker Articles for more poker tips and strategies.