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How to Play with Pocket 10s, JJ and QQ in Poker
How do we deal with second highest pocket hands? It is important to know how to play with second highest pocket hands in poker. Examples are pocket 10s, JJ, and QQ. These hands are either strong playing hands or folding ones, depending on the poker situation.
Even poker games turning out favorably may suddenly go awry with pocket 10s, JJ and QQ. For instance, we're dealt a QQ and the chip leader gets an AA. That spells real trouble. Here's what we can do with our pocket 10s, JJ and QQ?
First, decide at the very outset whether we would play the hands or not. Being dealt these hands pre-flop is not the end of the world. We may choose to fold (when we read that somebody might have an AA) or play it. If we decide to play pocket 10s, JJ, and QQ, we then settle how we should play them---aggressively or loosely?
Some players have the impression that pocket pairs have to be played to win regardless of the cost. They often end up too beaten and desperate because of their pocket 10s, JJ and QQ. But just relax and play the hands quietly. Of course, there's always the possibility that a player is holding a higher and stronger pocket pair like the aces. And this gets all the worse when we're playing from under the gun.
If we opt for a non-aggressive play, and say we sense that we have the strongest hand at the table, or if we've hit trips, an option is to play with a pseudo-aggressive stance. It's not necessarily an aggressive play with pocket 10s, JJ, and QQ, but mere acting aggressive post flop.
Don't forget that positioning in Holdem is everything. Pocket 10s, JJ, and QQ have hand value depending on our positioning. The best we can assume when under the gun and holding Pocket 10s, JJ, and QQ is a pseudo-aggressive play to try to steal the pot through this assumed play, pre-flop. Next, we try to limit the number of callers to one or two, while being careful with higher pairs.
Be prepared also for bluffing callers with lower pocket pairs or even two picture cards. If, for instance, we have TT and the flop shows A3K, simply fold and save our chips.
Playing pocket 10s, JJ and QQ should be done with care. There are instances when they can be played. There are also times when they should be folded.