Wed, 02/23/2011 – 02:42 – PokerPages Staff

The second week of the Poker After Dark $150,000 Cash Game concluded on Friday on NBC.

Poker pros Olivier Busquet, Phil Laak, Greg Mueller, David Peat, Eli Elezra and Howard Lederer sat down at the felt in Las Vegas

Laak and Elezra were involved in the first notable pot of the second session.

Elezra made it $7,400 to go with pocket queens and Laak came along for the ride with pocket nines.

A 9-10-5 flop prompted Elezra to fire an $11,000 bullet with his over pair. Laak immediately made it $50,000 before leaving the table as Elezra pondered his next move.

The Israeli went into the tank before deciding to muck his hand. He admitted that he thought Laak was bluffing though it proved to be a superb lay down from the 49 year-old.

Busquet, Elezra, Peat and Laak then generated significant heat pre flop with pocket pairs.

Laak opened for $1,200 only for Peat and Elezra to make it $4,800 to go. Busquet sensed an opportunity to squeeze and re-raised to $12,000.

Elezra (J-J) moved all of his chips into the middle and Busquet tanked before folding his hand, revealing pocket tens.

Peat, who had been central to the action during the first session, then got involved after calling down Busquet’s $2,000 pre flop raise with 10h-5h.

Busquet had his opponent dominated with pocket queens but a 4h-9c-9h flop gave Peat a flush draw.

Busquet bet $8,000 and Peat completed. Busquet then checked the Js turn and Peat checked behind. That play proved to be a mistake as Peat caught the 2h on the river.

Busquet lead out for $25,000 and Peat called him down to snare the $76,500 pot.

Lederer (A-K) finally got involved in the action late on when he met Busquet’s $93,600 all-in pre flop bet.

Busquet flipped over A-A and the board ran dry as the New York native took down the $191,600 pot.

Wed, 02/09/2011 – 04:03 – PokerPages Staff

Playing pocket Jacks can be very challenging.  As this hand can be overplayed, despite its high ranking, the beginner poker player must understand its strength.

Pocket Jacks are a dominant hand in the majority of pre-flop situations.  The odds of pocket Jacks being best at showdown are good, but informed decisions must be applied or they could lead to a huge loss.

All too often, the beginner wants to push all of their chips pre-flop.  The problem, however, is that many of the hands that are likely to call could dominate pocket Jacks, such as Aces, Kings, Queens, AK etc.  Because of their vulnerability to bigger pocket pairs and over cards, pocket Jacks are a troublesome hand.

Pre-flop is best played with a 2-3 times big blind bet.  If your bet is raised, a simple call is a good play.  Rarely do you want to re-raise or even call a re-raise with pocket Jacks.  You do not want to over-commit with your pocket pair.

After the flop, play is similar to playing a middle pocket pair.  Flopping a third Jack is ideal and you can proceed with aggression.  If, however, you don’t flop trips your play will be decided on what has flopped and what possible hands your opponent most likely holds.  If the flop comes with an Ace, King or Queen and there is a lot of action, you are probably beat and you should fold.  If the flop comes with low cards, your Jacks are probably good.  Be cautious of calls that come on a board with a flush or straight possibility, as you could get beat on the turn or the river.

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.