Pocket Jacks-Not easy to play.

I read an article today about pocket jacks and how they are not an easy hand to play. The atricle states that "many Texas Hold 'em players hate getting dealt two jacks because they feel they're unlucky with them. Well, chances are it isn't that they're unlucky with these cards. They're simply overvaluing the hand and misplaying it."

On preflop, there are three overcards that could flop, making the hand more difficult to play. Even if there isn't an overcard on the flop, you could be facing 4-5-7, 3-4-5, 6-7-8. and if opponent is playing a little pairor is lucky enough to flop a straight, you're doomed. The article makes a great point and it sums it up very well.

"The J-J is the one hand that seems too strong to fold yet not strong enough to hold if there is much action ahead of you. If you're playing a structured Limit Hold 'em game, the impact isn't as severe, but in No Limit Hold 'em, where your entire bankroll is in jeopardy, pocket jacks must be played carefully."

So when should you fold them? Well, if you're an early position and you make a raise, one player re-raises and then a tight competitor re-raises all-in right behind. Those jacks don't look so good now, do they?

The article goes on to say that "The key here, as with most poker problems, is sizing up your opponent. If he holds aces, kings, or queens, would he have raised big before the flop? Is he the type of player who calls with small pairs before the flop? When he flops three of a kind, does he usually bet it aggressively or play it slow to suck more people in?
In the end, you'll have to make a judgment call. Playing pocket jacks makes for some of the toughest decisions you'll face in poker. But, hey, no one ever said this game would be easy."

I keep hearing about all these articles on how JJ is such a bad hand and not easy to play etc etc. Well if JJ is such a difficult hand to play then so must 1010 99 88 77 66 55 44 33 22. Its like saying "any PP is rubbish unless it AA or KK" which isnt true. Played correctly JJ is a massive hand. Of course its not gonna hold up everytime, just the same as AA KK or QQ but deal me JJ everytime and I will die a very happy man

Only 3 hands go in ahead of JJ and they are AA KK and QQ, the rest you are a coinflip at worst.

JJ is a very very strong hand. We have all lost huge pots with it but i can say that i have won with it plenty of times...especially when you get called with AK and you even have a slight advantage...I name plenty more times ive been put in bad situatioins with AK AQ and KQ...so I guess you can say I like JJ.

I've noticed defferences in my play recently. I have been hitting trips with my small pocket pairs and it's been going good lately besides the occasional bad play. JJ I also find tougher to play than almost any other pocket pair along with 10 10. They're good cards, but can definately be beat easily on the flop. I like to chose these 2 hands to go all in with sometimes, because they have good odds heads up. As almost every hint and tip comes, it all depends on the type of players that are at your table, and how much of a chip stack you have. If you have a dominating stack, then of course you raise an above average raise, but if you have an average stack, then I would make a minimum raise or just call possibly. I, personally, wouldn't just call. It has the potential to bring in a lot of people to the flop with marginal hands. There's no worse feeling then a rag beating your pocket pair by ways of a straight on the turn or river. Just my 2 cents...

JJ's are a pre-flop raise.. continuation bet on the flop while reading the cards.. then decide from there where your opponent(s) stand.. are they on a draw or?? Just like any starting hand.. they aren't guaranteed to win but to be afraid cause they may lose.. well they do but they do also win.. I'd rather be afraid that they win a lot more then afraid if they lose.

Played JJ today All in Against AA and KK flopped a J for trips and took the pot. So you never know its still one of the best hands to play as not much beats it.

Plenty of things beat it. Q, K, A, straight, flush, etc. You got very lucky by flopping trips...

My point is that it's not all it's hyped up to be.

i hate pocket jacks i always lose with them i just dont know how to win with them
im just tired of them i just call with them now and if nothing is hire then them i will push all in

I'd like to see that article on how to play them because I have tried everthing and usually lose to someone chasing with an A or K or a little straight draw after the flop. I like to see a Q on the flop, it's the one over card that usually doesn't help anybody.

The facts are that you are going to see at least one overcard about 50% of the time when you have JJ. Even if you survive the flop there is still about a 25% that an overcard will come on the turn and the same for the river.

Those are hard odds and you just need to know when to push and when to let it go. This is a hand I like to finish on the flop or turn. I never really like to see the river or a showdown.