Pocket Aces - Everyone's Favorite

ckingriches

ckingriches

Lucky Multiple League MVP
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Total posts
2,315
Awards
9
Chips
1
I love getting dealt AA as much as anyone, but I'm not so sure it's done much for me. Sure, if you can get someone else to commit all their chips before the flop, you're a significant favorite to win and either double up or knock them out (assuming you're only going against one other player).

However, if someone or more than one actually call your bet or raise, what happens after the flop? They don't say that AA wins small pots and loses big pots for no reason.

Occasionally you'll be up against A with a good kicker, or Ax suited and actually see an A on the flop. Then you're in great position to win a big pot. But that won't happen often. More likely you'll end up winning a small pot, since you can't afford to let anyone outdraw you on the turn and/or river. I've made that mistake too many times.

Worse yet, you might end up against two pair, trips, or a flush (or flush draw) or straight (or straight draw). Unfortunately starting with the best hand actually limits the made hands you'll end up with, since you only have one card to a straight or flush. Usually if you flop an A, clearly what you're hoping for, you're not going to find a caller very often. Maybe trapping someone will work, but you need to get lucky in that regard and hope you're not actually up against a flush or straight.

Or am I missing something to the analysis and/or playing the hand wrong?
 
A

augie6289

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
Total posts
25
Chips
0
the evil aces

i agree with you. although aces are great to start with i seem to never win a big hand with them. youre almost always going to bet after the flop with your aces, but then theres always that player who calls just because he might hit something. then for heavens sake they always freakin hit it on the turn. although i like getting aces in the hole to start, sometimes id rather kings or queens
 
Poof

Poof

Made in the USA
Silver Level
Joined
May 21, 2008
Total posts
14,419
Chips
0
I used to think the same thing about KK until Kouraceous Dog told me in a thread to actually start paying attn (provided I bet it properly) and sure enough he was right. Those AA KK will hold up more often than not, we just tend to remember the not more.
 
The Dark Side

The Dark Side

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Total posts
811
Chips
0
I used to think the same thing about KK until Kouraceous Dog told me in a thread to actually start paying attn (provided I bet it properly) and sure enough he was right. Those AA KK will hold up more often than not, we just tend to remember the not more.

Thats the 100% truth!

Obviously AA is ALWAYS best Heads Up!
 
ckingriches

ckingriches

Lucky Multiple League MVP
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Total posts
2,315
Awards
9
Chips
1
I'm not sure if the poker gods were trying to make a point, but the very next SnG I played ($10 STT) resulted in the following first 2 hands:

Hand 1) Player A with AA bets 3BB, or 90. Player B with KK raises to 180. Player A re-raises to 585. Player B re-raises all in and is called by Player A. The AA hold up, even finding trips on the turn to win the hand and knock out Player B.

Hand 2) Player C with KK bets 90. I raise to 270 with AA. Player C calls for 180 more. Flop is 4s Jh Kh. Player C checks and I bet the pot, 585. I wanted him to fold in case he had a flush draw. I really didn't think he had KK, JJ, or KJ, but of course I had no hand history regarding his tendencies or betting patterns. He raised all in and I called my last 645. I lowered my head in shame as a couple of 8's on the turn and river sealed my fate and early exit.
 
O

only_bridge

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Total posts
1,805
Chips
0
Yes, sometimes you raise from early position, someone calls behind, and flop looks totaly harmless and you bid for value every street right into a set, and you have done nothing wrong, but in the long run AA is a winning hand I think.
 
Goodwooter

Goodwooter

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Total posts
185
Chips
0
most players lose more with aces then win in the long run...partly because so many players cant let them go...and thats the key to playing aces...when you know you are beat, you gotta lay em down...just cuz you got aces, doesnt mean you are destined to win at showdown...after all, its just one pair
 
O

only_bridge

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Total posts
1,805
Chips
0
most players lose more with aces then win in the long run...partly because so many players cant let them go...and thats the key to playing aces...when you know you are beat, you gotta lay em down...just cuz you got aces, doesnt mean you are destined to win at showdown...after all, its just one pair

Really? I doubt that people in general lose money with AA. If so then they would be better off just pushing all in pre-flop
 
bredstik

bredstik

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 22, 2007
Total posts
400
Chips
0
Most often the AA will hold up, but your chances of winning definitely lower with more people in the hand. It's tempting to try and triple or quadruple up, but that doesn't happen often. You may get outdrawn from time to time, and it is important to know when to lay the hand down if you get deep into a hand.
 
Top