Playing Pocket Aces and Any Ace

A-A versus J-J gives you an 80% chance of winning the pot. If you play aggressively pre-flop, narrow the field to one or two callers, and get a read on your opponents, then you’ve done your job.

As for getting “out-kicked”…

Be careful with A-J and A-10… these hands are notorious for getting out-kicked. If there are more than six or seven players at the table when you pick up one of these hands, be VERY CAUTIOUS.

The goal is to find out WHERE YOU STAND before your opponent shows his cards at the end. Get a read on what your opponent is holding and put him to a decision for chips BEFORE the hand plays out all the way.

If there’s an Ace on the board and you’re opponent keeps betting… and you just keep calling with A-10… then you’re asking for trouble.

Raise your opponent to find out where you stand in the hand. If he’s got A-Q or A-K figure it out before the cards are turned over, not after.