How to Play Premium Pairs

Although hands like AA, KK, and QQ are the top hands in poker, they are often overplayed. Since most people don't know how to properly play big pairs, they end up losing big pots with these hands. This article will teach you exactly how to play big pairs in No Limit Hold'em.

The first advice you need is how to play the hands preflop. When you have a hand like AA, KK, or QQ, you should almost always be raising preflop. The standard raise should be 4x the big blind, but if multiple players have already entered the pot then you should raise even more, perhaps 5-6x the big blind.

The only time you shouldn't raise preflop with these hands is when you're heads up against a maniac. If your heads up opponent is raising every single hand, then it is acceptable to limp in and then either smooth call or raise him.

Playing the flop correctly is very important when you hold a big pair. Most of the time you should be making a continuation bet, which should be from 1/2 the size of the pot up to the full size of the pot. The only exception to this is if the board is exceptionally bad, or your opponent makes an aggressive play on you.

If the board is AK4, and you hold pocket queens, and your opponent makes a large bet into you, you should just fold the hand. However, if in the same situation your opponent checks to you, you should be betting out with the queens.

When you have a big pocket pair and make a set, you should still be playing aggressively. For example, if you have AA and the flop is AJ4, you should be betting out. The reason is, it is likely that your opponent may have a straight draw with a hand like K10, and you do not want them hitting it. If that happens, you will lose a huge pot.

Another situation where you should be playing aggressively is when the board has a draw on it. For example, if the flop is KJ4 with two hearts, then you should be betting hard. The reason is that its likely your opponent could have a straight draw with a hand like Q10, or a flush draw with two hearts, and you don't want them hitting it.

Now you know the basics of playing big pairs in poker, so go out and hit the tables. Good luck!