J's and T's

[ashmc2]

Ok, here’s another one of my open-ended general questions. These are meant to induce thought amongst forum members and help me to possibly plug a few leaks in my game that I maybe don’t even realize I have. Plus it gives me something to read.

How do you play JJ and TT in a NL ring game preflop and then on the flop?

If you what to give turny strategy on these hole cards feel free but please specify so I know.

I know a lot of people say you should play them the same as your top prs as to camouflage what you actually have and so they don’t run from your big pr when you bet them. I find it hard to do this most times especially with the Tens. Too often I end up having to lay these down to a flop bet with overs on the board.

Sometimes I will throw in the 4x plus 1x per limper bet preflop and then throw out the CB on the flop. But most of the time I’ll just bet 2 or 3x the BB , which seems to narrow the field somewhat. Then I put in a ½ to ¾ pot CB if there are overs on the board. If my J’s or T’s are the big dawgs on the flop I’ll pump my bet up to 1 ¼ to 1 ½ the pot.

If I am reraised pf I lay down my J’s and T’s.

[ashmc2]

No one wants to divulge any secrets huh?

[jaeh00d]

remember though a lot of players like to even re raise with AK and AQ in that position... know your player, know if your player seems like the type of player to re raise with AK in that situation.... nothing is ever for sure.... but i dont know if i always lay down my 10's and Jacks that easily... at time times yes i have, when it just seems likely that i am beat, but just a re raise doesnt mean you are up against queens, kings, and aces

[Boobie Lover]

Against certain opponents, I would fold JJ preflop if someone reraises me (if the reraise was more than 10% of either my stack or my opponents stack) and against other opponents I would come right over the top. Until you realize that poker is not black and white, you will probably be stuck wondering why you can't dominate games.

[jaeh00d]

said very well...i agree

[Zybomb]

This is a VERY bad idea...

So you're telling me that when you are weak you are going to bet 1/2-3/4 the pot, but when you are strong you are going to bet over the entire pot. Ok sounds good, because I'm raising you every single time you bet 1/2-3/4 the pot then!

You NEED to be betting the same way if you've hit your hand than if you've missed, otherwise it's going to become painfully obvious when you hit and when you didnt.

I played with a complete fish at the table last night who raise PF with AK AQ etc, then if he missed the flop, he'd fire out a $25 bet. When he raised with AA KK QQ preflop however, he'd fire out a $60 bet on the flop. I mean come on!

As for your 2x-3x BB statement, that is also a bad idea. If you are going to mini raise, you may as well call. If Im raising (Im assuming you are talking about online here) Im coming in for a minimum of 4x BB (adding to that to account for limpers) You don't want a huge field with TT or JJ, an overcard is frequently going to flop. Even more so with these type of pairs, you want it how to HU action if possible. I cant understand under betting

As a general statement, you want to treat EVERY raise preflop the same (for the most part) whether it be 76s, AA, JJ or 22. This disguises your hand

[ashmc2]

Thanks for the response Z. Even though I knew this would be you or TP's exact scolding. I totally agree. Ain't it weird how sometimes you know what your doing wrong but for some crazy reason you need someone to slap you around to do it right.

Do you think my way of thinking is always wrong even if you aren't at tables long enough for players to pattern you?

[ashmc2]

I'll try this out. I actually do this sometimes already. It's just that I'm a greedy little monkey when it comes to my chips and/or money. If it's not a close to sure thing my mind fights so hard to not waste, even if I tell myself it will reap future dividends. Plus at my current limits people call my big prs no matter the raise differences. But I also understand if I want to grow as a player and move up in stakes I will have to employ more surreptitious tactics.

[jaeh00d]

read up on that was great information there that zybomb gave you...