How would you play Pocket AA?

1/2 NL at a pokerhouse here not online.

With a pocket AA:

preflop: raise? how much?

Flop: raise? how much?

Turn: raise? how much?

River: raise? how much?

Not just for pocket AA but for 1010, JJ, QQ & KK.

I've ask this earlier but i am hoping to get a clearer answer. Thank you all for your time and your replies. BSK_500

It is impossible to answer your question completely. In order to answer the postflop questions we must know the texture of the flop, number of postflop villains, your read on villain, your past betting history, etc.

I could say go all-in preflop because you have the best hand, but, you may not get any callers. We are betting for value and to reduce the number of draws against us here.

My standard raise with pocket A's is 5-7BB depending on the table. I want a call with this hand. If the table is really loose, I might bet more. If it is tight, it might only be 3BB. However, I always show aggression and don't agree with limping a premium hand unless you are in early position and just trying to mix things up.

Most other top pocket pairs I raise 3BB. Actually my standard preflop raise is 3BB. I try to disguise my range by raising 3BB with all playable hands. Of course this is dependant on the table image of others and you must mix things up just a little (10% of the time or so).

... I say play those bigguns' hard preflop... each time I tried to slow play those rockets they blew up in my face.

You need to narrow this question down to specific situations. No one here will be able to give you an intelligent straightforward answer, until you give us a specific circumstance, and situation on how to play AA (or any other hand for that matter). You can't ask such a broad question and expect to get a nice answer.

i guess what i'm trying to ask is how some of you play your pocket A's.
i just wanted to know how others would play it. i'm new to the game but i've been playing 3 times a week. 1/2 NL at pokerhouse here where i live.
what would you do on preflop, flop, turns and rivers. thanks again for your replies. bsk_500

The only question that I can answer is the first one, about your preflop raise. At least I'll tell you what I do. Since we're talking about pocket AA position is relative because you'll raise with them anyway even in EP.

If the game is typical and the pot is unraised, just use the standard table raise, which is usually 3BB. By typical I mean a game that is not too loose, in other words with too many players contending every pot.

If the game is loose, with many people calling even when the pot is raised, then you must raise more than the standard, even if you might be giving away your hand, because with AA you don't want too many players in the pot (against 1 player AA wins 88% of the time, against 2 it goes down to 70%, against 3 its barely above 50%. When you lose with AA, more often than not, it'll be expensive so you want to isolate 1 player).

If the pot has already been raised, and the game is loose, you MUST reraise, at least another 3BB, even 4 or 5. Use your judgement, remembering that your goal is to isolate the 1st raiser making everyone else fold.

If the game is typical and the pot has already been raised there are some options. You can reraise, or, if you're on the button or the cutoff and you think the remaining players will probably fold, you can just call and hope to trap him if the flop looks good. I occasionally do that in tourneys. In a cash game I'll always reraise no matter my position, but many do it there too so its up to you.

If, instead, you're in EP and a player to your right has raised the pot, you should, IMO, reraise every time, even if the game is typical.

As far as how to play AA after the flop, 4th and 5th street, there are too many variables to consider. The most important one is your opponent(s). Are they aggressive? Passive? Do they chase their draws even if they don't have the right odds? Are they vulnerable to check/raises? Do you have a good read on them? etc.

Other variables are flop texture, who is first to act, your betting patterns, etc.

I know you're probably disappointed with this reply but if you give more details on some of the variables, particularly the flop, you'll get some better answers from other members too. Without at least that its impossible to answer because if, for example, the flop has 3 to a flush or if its Q-2-2 ( which is a great one) you wouldn't bet the same way.

I hope this helped you.

Thank you for your replie, joeeagles. i understand some of the things you're telling me. i know it would be more easier for others to answer my question, but to be honest i am not really sure how exactly to ask last night i played at one of the poker club and i made $250.00 profit in less then an hour. i gotta get back to work now. thanks everyone for your time and your replies. i will continue asking later.

You usually want some action with rocxkets, but not too much. A preflop raise of 3-3.5 the BB should limit the callers some. From there on, eacxh situation will develop it's own momentum, and will proceed by no preset formula. And that's what makes poker the great game that it is.