Big pairs in NLHE
You look at your hole cards and see a big pair, like JJ+. Joy is your first reaction, but playing big pairs in NL is not as simple as it sounds.
Of course it depends at what stakes you are playing. If you play the micro or low limits at one of some low stakes poker sites, most players do not know how to play big pairs correctly. It is a different story at high stakes.
The thing is high pairs is, if the flop does not help, you have a pair. This pair could be higher than any card on the flop, but this does not necessarily make it the best hand.
When you have a monster pocket pairs in NL (QQ+), you should do everything you can to win the most money in the pot before the flop. You should raise from any position. If someone raises before you, you should almost reraise, except if your opponent is very aggressive.
You want to get as much money as possible into the pot before the flop because top pairs are almost certain to be the best hand pre flop. In some rare cases it can benefit you to slow play these pairs before the flop. For instance if you think you’re going to play the hand heads-up; if the table is very aggressive; or if aggressive players are sitting at your left.
Many players limp with pocket aces and this is a favorite move from early position by ten WSOP bracelets winner Johnny Chan. If someone raises, they you can reraise. If you see a player play that way, it is likely he has a big pair. If you slow play preflop, it is crucial to not feel committed if the flop is not favorable. If the flop comes and there is plenty of action there is a good chance that you do not have the best hand. If you are a king or a queen and an ace on the flop, do not waste any more of your chips.
On the river your game will depend on your position. If you are the first to play with a weak hand, but you still think it is the best hand, think about betting a third of the pot. If raised, you can throw your hand. If you are the last to play and your opponent checks, you should also check. Besides if you think you can call a worse hand, a pair is not usually strong enough to bet after the river is checked.
Playing big pairs in NL requires a lot of trial. As Doyle Brunson said: “With big pairs you win a small pot or lose a big one.” For if a player is willing to risk his entire stack in front of you, he probably has a hand that can beat your pair. Play them carefully, but aggressively to win more or lose less.
Tags: aces, Doyle Brunson, high pair, high stakes, Johnny Chan, low stakes poker, NLHE, no-limit holdem, pocket ace