How To Play Pocket Jacks To Ensure You Get Maximum Value

Pocket Jacks are notoriously one of the hardest starting hands to play in Texas Hold’Em, and if you aren’t careful, they can end up costing you a lot of money. The old saying goes that ‘there are three ways to play Jacks: the wrong way, the wrong way, and the wrong way.’ This article will highlight how I play pocket Jacks and how I get maximum value out of the hand, without risking a big loss.

The main problem with pocket Jacks is that the hand is neither weak, nor strong, but somewhere in the middle ground. If you have pocket deuces then you can be sure that you will be beaten by an opponent hitting an over card. Equally, with pocket Aces you can be sure that unless your opponent hits a set or flops a straight, then you are almost guaranteed to have the best hand.

At the table, it is highly likely that pocket Jacks are the best hand in a pre-flop situation, however, after the flop there is a high chance that Jacks are no longer good, unless of course you manage to flop a set or full house.

My favourite tactic is to make a large raise before the flop, this way I discourage people from entering the pot with junk hands. I want as few people as possible to see the flop, that way I minimise the chance of being beaten. I know if someone calls my raise then he or she is likely to have an over card, and I then determine what to do once I have seen which cards come on the flop.

As long as my pocket Jacks seem to be the best hand I play them very aggressively – however, as soon as an over card comes I know I need to proceed with caution, and I am always ready to get rid of my hand.

When players wake up with a pocket pair it can be hard to let it go, especially when it looks as pretty as pocket Jacks, but remember, Jacks are highly vulnerable unless you manage to get incredibly lucky and flop a set.

My top tip really would have to be don’t be afraid to fold. I’ve had to fold pocket Kings plenty of times; I’ve also laid down a full house (which was a good move because my opponent had a higher full house) but at the time it was one of the hardest decisions I had ever made. If you are behind, then cut your losses there and then, and get out of the pot.

Remember that the great thing about poker is that there will always be another hand in just a couple of minutes!