Powerful Hand Series # 4 – QQ and JJ are NOT insta-call hands
We’ve all been there. You’re in mid position, later in a tourney, and you raise 3x the big blind. Then someone in late position re-raises you all in. But…you’re holding a high pocket pair. Sure, it’s not KK or AA, but it’s STRONG. And what are the chances that the guy in late position is holding one of the 2 hands that you’ll be only 20% to beat???
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t play these hands. What i AM saying, however, is slow down and really think about what your opponent is holding. If the guy has been playing position all night, and you feel you have a good read on him, for sure gamble a bit. If it’s out of character for your opponent to re-raise or push, be very careful.
Its worth it to note that even a newer player is unlikely to re-raise (even in late position) with 99 or 1010, so any re-raise (or push) needs to be seriously considered, and balanced with what you know of the player (tells, history, aggressivness). If you know very little about the player, it’s good to give them the benefit of the doubt and wait for a better shot to take them out later in the tourney.
