How to Play big pairs Pre Flop
These are every players favorite starting cards. They represent the ultimate starting hand in terms of potential. big pairs are classed at AA, KK, QQ and JJ. With these cards pre flop, you will likely, although not always, have an advantage over your opponents. That is to say that your opponents will likely have to improve their hands in order to beat you. In line with the ranking of hands, AA beats everything pre-flop - AA beats KK, QQ is beaten only by KK and AA and JJ is beaten only by AA, KK and QQ.
A valuable lesson that many players learn the hard way is that big pairs are very often way out in front pre-flop, but this can easily turn around post flop. For instance KK is a massive hand pre-flop. Then the flop reads 2-3-A with your opponent with an ace in hand and all of a sudden you are in a world of trouble with a maximum of 2 outs!
The Low Limit Strategy correct play for big pairs is to raise pre flop - don't let opponents see a flop for cheap as you can easily be beaten (assuming you don't have over cards). You will more than likely be in a dominating position and you should always look to raise or post a re-raise with AA or KK. You will seldom hold KK and run into AA but it will happen. Don't let this put you off the correct play the next time, raise it up!
Again to look at your probability of hitting the big pairs you will be dominant more times than you run into trouble (resulting in a profit in the long run).
The big pair strategy differs when you play higher limit games but for Low limit Hold'em there is significantly less skill at the table and you will likely get called regardless of your raise (or re-raise) so you are as well getting some money in the pot.
Look at this the other way. Everyone knows that Low Limit play induces a lot more callers (less skill and low limits) so trying to slow play a big pair could land you in trouble as you then have 2 rounds of betting to induce play. The game of poker is based on tempting players into pots and winning with your better cards. As Low Limit Hold'em is full of fish, you do not have to go to the lengths to try and deceive them to win pots (slow playing). As the players in these games do not pay that much attention, always raise if you get AA, KK, QQ, JJ or a pair of 10's.
The only time you might consider slow playing a big pair is if you have a very aggressive player at the table and you know that if you avoid an ace on the flop you will likely have the best hand and get paid. This can be rewarding if played right. In low limit games with the standard at the table, get the raise in.
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