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.

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.