Playing JJ

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dougle14

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I've been browsing different posts about how to play different hands and it got me thinking about JJ. It seems like I lose everytime with JJ. Usually over cards will hit the board and someone playing K8 will take the pot down by hitting their 3 outer. I have lost all confidence in that hand... Does anyone have any advice on how to be successful with JJ?
 
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pinaq

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J-J, in my opinion, is one of the worst hands to slow play, just for the reason you mention about overcards and lousy hands that hit top pair, so that's why you always raise with J-J. However, in the early stage of a tournament people tend to play a lot more hands than later on, which means that even if you raise 5xBB, they may still play Q-7s and hands like that, which is why you must be prepared to fold if you think that your opponent/s might have hit a top pair. Later on in the tournament, however, don't be afraid to push with J-J, especially not if you are close to the bubble and the blind levels are relatively high.
 
bestoboth

bestoboth

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AHHHHH... JACKS!! ARE THEY GONE YET!!!????

I too seem to fail with this hand... sounds stupid but I swear I do better with lower pocket pairs than I ever manage with jacks...

Can't remember where the post was currently, but I do remember the advice, RUN FROM JACKS! ALL JACKS ANY JACKS! :eek: LOL

I think that is a piece of advice I may begin to heed... the problem is that it is so hard to see that pair of pretty painted cards and not get a bit excited... LOL... ya know??? :eek:
 
c9h13no3

c9h13no3

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You guys are doing it wrong.... maybe you need to read about the WA/WB concept?
 

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TheMountainBoy

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I heard last night that there are only three ways to play JJ , ... nd they are all wrong. I just lost today dude hit JJJ on the flop to my AA I shoulda went all in. JJ is one of those hands that can win big if you hit big and only if you hit big.
 
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Center51man

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you do not slow play JJ, you raise pre flop, at list tripple it, shows you who, most likely, has over cards, flop will take you from here. over cards, 3 of same suits, or possible streight flops, be worried, depending on position, check it to see a turn, or make a smart bet, no more then double the blind, once again to show you who may be drawing, or have those overs, someone raises, get out, cut your losses. if it checks down, hope for a set, or a boat. best possible flop, no overs, streight draws, or flush draws, play it out, know who your playing and don't give them an opportunity to suck out... bet and raise, jacks are a touchy hand, but they can be had, reading your opposition helps alot if overs come up
 
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WurlyQ

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From a statistical standpoint, the simple approach to playing jacks is thinking about the probability that an over card hits. Depending on how many other people have over cards, the probability that an over card appears on the flop is anywhere from about 45%-55%. This then should lead to one of four possibilities:

1. They have one or more over cards and there is at least one over card on the flop: This is just assessing whether or not they hit. (If they had two overcards, the probability of them hitting an over card is about 33% just for reference).

2. They have middle or low pocket pair and there is at least one card on the flop: Assuming they haven't hit trips, there will probably be little betting going on but you will probably have to fold if they make a big bet so being somewhat aggressive is probably the right play.

3. They have one or more over cards and there are no over cards on the flop: You probably want to bet aggressive so they don't hit.

4. They have a middle pocket pair and there is no over cards on the flop: Assuming they haven't hit trips, and they have a pocket pair higher then the high card of the flop, you can probably make some chips by being aggressive.

This is just a simple scenario analysis that ignores trips, a preflop overpair, as well as flushes/straights but hopefully it provides some insight into playing the hand.
 
Passion_play

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I prefer to standard raise them 3 or 4x.
See the Flop preferably in late position, if there are overs and no one has bet, bet 70% of Pot.
Wait for the Call/Re Raise and or the Fold.

Call is dangerous/Re raise is Fold

Again on the turn repeat, if you get a call it is a check and or Fold on the river depending if they bet the river and your trip did not arrive.

Good luck.
 
andy112211

andy112211

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i too find it difficult to play pocket jacks. seems like there is a 50/50 chance of an over card. i dont invest too much in pocket jacks unless i either get a set or there is no over card.
 
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diamondace

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if you cant play hands like jj then you cant play anything. you just wanna play with aa or kk? jj you must always play agressive preflop raise like that and the you look if someone calls and what cards come on flop. if you play jj like oh let all players on table see the cards then most likely you will lose. of course you can meet a higher pair or watever but you must risk it and against hands like ak you have fifty fifty chance.
 
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Ranger390

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c9h13no3: Where did you find the chart that you posted above? I'd like to see the whole thing, if you have a link. Many thanks in advance!
 
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scragbag

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c9h13no3: Where did you find the chart that you posted above? I'd like to see the whole thing, if you have a link. Many thanks in advance!

That's HEM (Hold-Em Manager) It's a program like Poker Tracker. Both have free trials.
 
dj11

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c9 is (I believe) primarily a ring guy.
I am primarily a tourney guy.

Here are my top winning percentage hands per PT3 (~~66,000 hands at either Tilt or Stars, sorted by winning percentage, so this makes JJ my 3rd best winning hand);

PT3 top 5 hands.JPG

My general approach is, of course position dependent, but I seldom slow play JJ's and am generally willing to drop them to overcards but again that is dependent on who is playing how at that particular time.
 

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Detroitguy113

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J-J, in my opinion, is one of the worst hands to slow play, just for the reason you mention about overcards and lousy hands that hit top pair, so that's why you always raise with J-J. However, in the early stage of a tournament people tend to play a lot more hands than later on, which means that even if you raise 5xBB, they may still play Q-7s and hands like that, which is why you must be prepared to fold if you think that your opponent/s might have hit a top pair. Later on in the tournament, however, don't be afraid to push with J-J, especially not if you are close to the bubble and the blind levels are relatively high.

Exactly. With a big raise pre-flop... it would be a tough call for somebody with K-9 or even an Ace.
 
slipknot4life

slipknot4life

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I only like JJ in the big and small blind. But no matter were I play it I have to l have to hit a set. But the final table when the blinds are high they are good for taking the blinds. And when heads up we all know any pocket pair is a huge hand. So I guess u have to look were u r at in the tournament.
 
left52side

left52side

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I will raise with jj in pos,,
But i will usually fold to a big bet oop.
 
CostyBigRoyal09

CostyBigRoyal09

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JJ always good to go ALL IN .... or increasing Bet .... pretty much all situations when I had JJ in hand we went ALL IN .... but many times I lost the little mustache :(:(:(:D
 
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BluffYou123

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JJ is a big hand but those overcards on the flop are scary.

You can win big with it but you just need to be prepared to fold if you think you are beat.

I've seen alot of players bust out on it by overcommitting to it.

I love when I hit trips and beat a guy with TP/TK :D
 
Tom1559

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JJ is a very powerful opening hand but the points you make are valid. I think every player I know worries about them and as a result you back off from being aggressive with them. Like you I have gone through a period when I either just called or made a small raise with them. All this does is give your opponents a chance to see the flop for a small cost. You have to be aggressive and limit the field. The chances are somebody will call you and if they have an A, K or Q they have around a 29% chance of hitting each of them. You have got around a 12% chance of flopping a set. The J's are favorite.
 
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deumsac

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The only two times I remember playing through a whole hand (lots at stake) are when I hit my set on the river (twice it happened). Other than that, I've missed and lost more times than I can count :)
 
gotalljax

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I love JJ - maybe has something to do with the name - and usually have pretty good success.

I play them hard - Big bet or all in with the right scenario. Eliminate the Ace rags and the like. I don't want anyone limping in with K8 and hitting the K on the flop just because I failed to push them out of the hand with a weak bet.
 
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UFCcantstopme

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I too have lost confidence

I was playing extremely patient and after hands and hands of waiting. I had JJ on the button. I raised a lot on the button and still had LOTS of callers, perfect flop 1073 all os. I pushed allin and got a caller with K10, turn was a K and blank on the river. It does seem like JJ always loses for me also. When I do win a hand, it is barely enough chips to actually help. So, i might think twice before playing this hand deep in a tournament.
 
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RA2000

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First of all you have to raise JJ!!!
4 -6 BB. If you are called then you know that you are up against a good hand.
If there is overcard on the flop you have to try to find out what your opponent is holding... Push and/or fold....
If you play a freeroll you loose many times against hands like Kx.
But that´s because it is a freeroll and people do not really know how to play....:deal:
 
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manalva

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Hi.

Like RA2000 says, you have to raise at least 3BB, if anyone pays then you have competition. But if in the flop comes some A, K or Q remember that doesn't means that your opponent have one of those.

Anyway, i also had have bad luck with JJ.

Bye.
manalva
 
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