How to Play Big Pocket Pairs

This article will discuss the strategy of playing big pocket pairs in Texas Hold’em cash games. For the purposes of this article we will consider big pocket pairs to be QQ-AA. JJ is often considered a big pocket pair, but it is definitely at the bottom range of premium starting hands and the majority of the time is played the same way as middle pocket pairs.

Playing pocket pairs, especially big pocket pairs, is relatively straight forward. Although poker is more of an art then a science, in saying that there are certain ways you should play certain hands.

When you are playing in the typical loose passive live games at the casino, the value of big pocket pairs goes down considerably because there is usually more players who will see a flop, but the upside of this is that when your big pairs hold up you will win more money.

There are a few considerations I take into account when playing big pocket pairs.

When you are playing big pocket pairs the main thought process pre-flop is deciding whether to raise or re-raise, you are never calling with a big pocket pair hand. Just calling with a big pocket pair is asking for trouble and inviting more players to see a flop. If you have pocket aces, you are about a 80% favorite against any other lower pocket pair, this is when in a heads up situation. But when you are involved in a big multi-way pot, the probability of winning the hand is reduced, and you are usually only about 30% of winning it, so it goes without saying, you want as few players to see the flop as possible, so raise or re-raise when you can!

Once you have narrowed down the field, it is time to continue with the aggression and make a big bet on the flop. How you should price the bet on the flop is usually 1/2 to 2/3 pot, depending on the board texture and the number of opponents left in the hand.

If a scare card comes on the flop, like when an ace hits and you have KK, you need to use good judgment and be willing to let go of the hand. I’m not suggesting you should just give up, but you need to consider the range of hands your opponent likely called the raise with before the flop. Betting the flop when you have KK and an ace hits is essentially turning your hand into a bluff, which depending on the situation, may not be the optimal play. You still have showdown value with KK and your opponent may not have the ace.

If you get called on the flop, determine what range of hands your opponent is calling you with. If you are confident they called with a top pair or draw hand, and the turn card doesn’t change anything, then make another big bet on the turn.

Keep in mind that big pocket pairs don’t always hold up. If your opponent is letting you know that they have a better hand by raising you on the flop or turn, this is a sure sign of strength, and depending on the opponent and the board, it’s possible to get away from the hand.

All in all, you want to be aggressive with big pocket pairs pre-flop and on later streets, and make sure you extract maximum value when you are dealt them.

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