Queen-Jack

So I know that I promised to write some of my hand guidelines; however, I decided that it takes too much effort to be comprehensive.  There are plenty of books available.  The more I play poker, the more I’ve come to identify a certain “character” of specific hole-cards in Texas Hold’em.  This is true for playable hands as well as non-playable hands.  In other words, when I’m sitting at a poker table, and I look down at my hole-cards, I’ve probably seen every combination of hole-cards several times.  In different situations you start to see certain hole-cards in certain ways.  It’s strange – I know.  As an example, I think of pocket Kings as a powerful force – something I want to go to war with.  I want to get as much money in the pot as I can with this hand, and I’ll decide on the flop whether I have the best hand, or whether I can represent the best hand.  I think of pocket Kings kind of the way I think of Captain Kirk.  I love to play this hand hard, and I can sometimes get myself into trouble, but at least preflop I want to push as hard as I can.

There are other hands, like King-Ten which is like a bad friend; you don’t want to get too wrapped up in drama with King-Ten because it will more than likely get you into trouble.  It looks good to an inexperienced player, but can really cost you in the long run when, for instance, you spike a King and are dominated by another player with King-Queen or Ace-King.

This brings me to Queen-Jack.  This is a hand that really takes some care to play correctly.  I love Queen-Jack suited because you can make a flush; however, even when you do make a flush you might be behind someone with Ace-x or King-x of the same suit.  You can make a straight, and often times your straight will hold up.  The problem comes when you spike a Queen or a Jack.  Against weak/loose players you can make a judgement call to decide whether you’re good; however, against strong players be very careful you’re not up against Ace-Queen or King-Queen.  Same goes for a Jack.

Probably one of the worst things that can happen is to make two-pair with Queen-Jack, especially when another high card like an Ace or a King, or a Ten is on the board.  Against 2 or more players, you’re almost surely beat by a straight or a bigger two pair in the case that an Ace has hit the board.  I’m not saying to play the hand weak – you have to use good judgement, and information about your opponents to decide what to do.  Still, you can get yourself into a lot of trouble.

So to wrap this up, whenever I see Queen-Jack the funniest thing crosses my mind.  I think of a Queen and a Jester in an affair.  Send me to the funny farm; however, isn’t that a vulnerable relationship that can get the participants into a lot of trouble?  Just like the hand itself, it’s a situation that must be played out with extreme care.

It turns out I’ll be playing in the media event at the WSOP!  I am really looking forward to the event, and hope that between the 3 of us (Mark, Sazzy and myself) we can take 1st place!

The Ringleader