How to Play Pocket Aces in a Texas Hold'em Tournament (unlimited)

Pocket Aces, or "pocket rockets", as they are also referred to, are The top dog in a pre-flop game of Texas Hold'em unlimited. Pocket Aces are at the top of this food chain and can be used as a pivot point to obtaining a massive amounts of chips. The only hand that can come close to pocket Aces, is another hand with pocket Aces.

Playing pocket Aces is not like playing pocket Kings. Pocket Aces are obviously top dog, and if any player calls on any amount you bet, they are the ones who desperately need to hit the flop to win. There are two different ways to play this best-cards pair:

1. Slow play

The definition of slow-playing is not betting on an obvious best hand. In other words, you do not bet, but wait on others to bet. This action results in waiting on the chance for another opponent to bet, thus retrieving a bigger pot. Most of those who slow play their hand usually raise after an initial bet from another opponent. This is the best move for the player with pocket Aces on the pre-flop. There is an old saying that any two cards are good, but if you have pocket Aces, you have the best odds of winning, and this is the best chance for pulling in a massive pot. To just call, no matter how many opponents you have, guarantees that if no one hits at least two pair, you have the best hand even after the flop. you also have the chance of hitting a better hand, especially if it's another Ace.

If you have someone who bets after the flop, you still have a chance to at least call or raise, considering the fact that there are still two more cards coming out. When slow playing pocket Aces, you have to be careful, taking the chance that the other opponents did not hit their hand on something better. Pocket aces have been beat before, and alot of times, the person who called on the pre-flop might have an Ace in his hand.

2. The "All-in" move

This play is personally my favorite. Whether you are the small blind, big blind, or opponent, going "All-in" is not a bad move under any circumstance, unless your position sets you up for alot of callers. To go All-in, the odds are in your favor if you are close to being the last opponent to play, and there are not alot of callers to begin with. The smaller the chip bet, the smaller the number of callers. Alot of players are not going to go all-in when the bet is only 50/100 and there are only three or four callers. Most players will even fold, sacrificing their bet. What few do call have one of three hands; ace-rag, pocket pair, or nothing. The only bad thing about getting a call on any of these hands, goes back to the old saying, "any two cards is good".

FINAL TABLE

If you have been successful enough to get to the final table, and you are dealt pocket Aces, you have truly received a gift from above. Pocket Aces, being played pre-flop on the final table, is best played out If you use this In one of two ways:
1. Going "all-in"

One of my favorite moves and means of getting chips fast. This is better done from position and chip-count alone. Going all-in on pocket Aces will assure that there is only one other hand that can match this combo; another set of pocket aces. Most of the time, you might have an opponent in the small/big blind call your bet, but for the most part, people hate to hear an All-in bet. This, according to chip count and position, is a "do-or-die" move, and most players who call before you went All-in, would rather see a flop before they make any decisions.
2. Raising before the flop

The very best possibility to get further ahead and knock out any opponent who might try to take a chance at knocking you out is to raise pre-flop with pocket Aces. Three possibilities are going to happen once you raise;
a. Your opponent is going to fold. (in fact, the more, the merrier).
b. Your opponent is going to call.
c. your opponent is going to raise or go All-in. (This is when you go All-in).

FINAL THOUGHT

The one thing you do have to remember when you are playing an unlimited game. Patience does pay off. There is nothing more exciting in Texa's hold'em then seeing your two cards both have an Ace, but nothing more frustrating then having to get away from the table because your pocket aces got "cracked", (another word for beat). Play responsibly and no matter whether you win or lose with pocket Aces, you had the best hand pre-flop, you just got beat by someone else willing to stick their neck out there.