Texas Holdem,
Betting Strategy
June 10 2008
Pocket jacks can be a very deceptive starting hand because it looks so much more powerful than it really is. Sure you may have two face cards, but they don’t look very good stacked up against a pair of queens, kings or aces.
Pocket jacks can be really bad for beginners who play at low-limit tables where players usually have no problem limping in with a face card and anything. To avoid getting your pocket jacks cracked by someone who caught a lucky flop after getting in cheap with a hand like K-5, your best recourse is to bet big pre-flop. A sizable pre-flop raise should clear the decks of anyone with just a face card and a low-end kicker. When you have pocket jacks, an overcard will appear on the flop 59 percent of the time, so allowing players to see the flop cheap will often burn you.
Once you get to the flop, if a king or queen flops you have to come out betting. It may be the only way you’ll win the hand and will give you a chance to gauge your opponent’s hand. If your bet is raised, throw your cards in the muck and run. Don’t chase with jacks.
If you’re lucky enough to hit a flop with three undercards your first thought might be to slow-play. That would be a big mistake. Since you raised pre-flop you’re likely up against at least one other face card or an ace. By slow-playing, you’re giving your opponent the chance to make a better pair on the turn or river, and they’ll take what should have been your chips.
If you’re really lucky and hit trips on the flop, then you might think about slow-playing. It still depends on what the board is showing though, so don’t automatically assume three jacks always equals a slow play.
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