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.