American Airlines - Poker Starting Hand AA

American Airlines (also known as Bullets, rockets and pocket rockets) is the term used for the pre flop starting hand A-A. In Hold'em, a pair of aces is the strongest hand possible pre flop that can be dealt to players. It's what players hope to see when they look down at their starting hand. Whilst it's certainly a monster before the flop - it's also a hand that lands people in a lot of trouble. At the end of the day, it is still only a pair and come showdown, a a pair might often win the pot, but there are many, many ways it is beaten once the flop, turn and river are dealt.

In poker, less skilled players often are said to get 'married to their hand', particularly when they have such a pre flop monster. It comes as no surprise that some people don't like the hand at all as it's more difficult to lay down than any other hand, even when you think you are behind. The only way it can improve is to hit one of the last two remaining Aces in the deck or make running cards for a straight or flush. What makes it even more difficult to lay down is that you might of waited an entire session for a monster starting hand. A little demoralizing having to then fold it.

Remember, a pair in Hold'em often isn't enough to win a hand against multiple players.

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