Pocket Queens is a hand every poker player loves to see.
Even so, this starting hand also frightens many players as they do not know how to play queens the right way.
Make no mistake, pocket queens is a very potent starting hand.
You can prevail over many opponents with your queens but be careful not to get carried away as your queens can still be cracked.
Let's now go over three key poker strategies to take in to account when you are dealt dealt pocket queens.
Table Position.
Like every hand your table position is important.
Whenever you are in late position then your queens become even more potent.
But even from early position you will be able to be aggressive and take the initiative.
Throw out a pre-flop raise to narrow down the opposition.
When dealt pocket queens its crucial to acknowledge that it is improbable that you will get additional assistance with the flop.
The odds of hitting another queen on the flop are against you so you need to make the most of what you have pre-flop.
So it is critical to make an assertive pre flop raise with your pocket queens.
You would like to get rid of players holding inferior hands or an ace or a king and get them out of the hand now.
Generally a raise of about five times the big blind is enough.
Be careful not to be too aggressive in case the flop is scary and contains over cards.
Now you have to wait for the flop and pray.
And when the flop does come you must be willing to get out of there fast and fold your queens if you see an ace or a king on the flop.
Even though your pre-flop raise will have pushed out those with nothing it is a safe assumption that anyone who calls your raise is holding an ace or a king which means they have you beat if they pair up.
If you are first to act if an ace or king appears on the flop you need to find out where you are.
Make a bet of between a quarter to a half of the pot.
The opponents that don't have the ace or king will generally fold to you and you can take down the pot.
If your bet gets raised you are in trouble.
If you are not first to act and there is a raise in front of you are also in trouble and it is likely that the bettor has improved on the flop and has that ace or king which will crush you.
Fold and save your chips for another hand.
However, if an ace or king is not present on the flop you can be reasonably confident you still have the strongest hand.
Though study the flop carefully and the reactions of other players still in the hand.
They may have an under pair which and hit trips or chasing a straight or flush draw.
Always be prepared to give your queens up.
A strong starting hand of course but one which is still easily beaten.
Sure, your queens are an easy all-in push if you are struggling in the tournament.
No question about that.
If you are not struggling it is still easy to get carried away when you see those two ladies and throw away your position because you think you cannot or should not be beaten.