Question:

Should I fold AA on the first hand of a tournament?

Should I Fold AA Before the Flop? NO.

Every once in a while, beginning players will ask if they should fold pocket aces before the flop. There are a few times when you should, but they are incredibly rare. Before discussing what they are, let me answer this common question:

Poker novice: Suppose a well-known pro is in a big multi-table no limit Texas hold ‘em tournament. On the very first hand, she is dealt AA. Much to her surprise, four players raise all-in before she has a chance to act! Should she fold? Wise expert: Folding here would be virtual poker, as in “That's virtually the dumbest thing I've ever seen!”

It's true that the pro will be knocked out of the tournament over 50% of the time if she calls. But when she does win, she'll have five times the starting stack. No one is good enough to pass up that kind of gamble. In the next tip, I'll discuss a few times where it actually is correct to fold AA before the flop.

Poker Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to play poker for money?

How has technology helped cause the increase in the popularity of poker?

What is the rake?

How do you play Omaha?

How should I play small pocket pairs in no limit hold ‘em?

Why do pros play such marginal hands on TV?

How should I limit my drunken poker losses?

What happens when someone reveals too early what they’re going to do?

How much faster is online poker than live?

How do you avoid giving tells?

How do you deal with a table coach?

What stakes should I play when I start?

Are other casino games a good idea?

Should I post my blind out of turn or wait?

What is a sit n go?

How does stack size affect play in no limit hold ‘em?

How should you deal with a bad beat?

How should I play a big drawing hand?

Why is position important in Texas hold ‘em?

Does it matter if someone is playing with their chips?

How much money do I need to play one-table tournaments?

How does my opponent’s aggressiveness affect the value of a small pair?

How should I play AK against a raise?

What’s a complete-and-steal?

What does it mean to sit out of a tournament?

How should I play near the bubble of a tournament?

Are there spots where you should never fold?

Are deals made at the end of tournaments?

Should you ever pass up a slightly profitable gamble in a tournament?

How should you play when one player is all-in?

What’s a shootout?

Can you define some more terms?

What if I keep forgetting the order of the hands?

How do you make a legal raise in a casino?

What’s the gap concept?

What are some nicknames for hands?

What are some more hand nicknames?

What’s fancy play syndrome?

Is it ever right to raise a garbage hand after someone calls before the flop?

How do you play anaconda?

What’s a limp-reraise?

What does it mean to mix it up?

Why is important to adapt?

Why should you ever show your cards?

What are nicknames for non-pairs?

What’s crazy pineapple?

How should hands like KQ be played in limit vs. no limit Texas holdem?

What is chopping?

Why would you keep a short stack alive?

What is shifting gears?

When should you bet on the end?

When is it correct to bet on the end?

Is it right to limp big pairs?

What does it mean to put an opponent to the test?

Can you define some terms?

Where’s part three of the glossary ?!

I demand to see more glossary!

How should you play when there are no check-raises?

How do you play baseball?

What’s way ahead way behind mean?

What is lowball?

When should I fold KK before the flop?

What is multi-tabling?

When is the quality of play worst?

What’s seven-card stud eight-or-better?

How can poker be social?

What happens if you don’t have enough to call a bet?

What’s the tipping custom at a casino?

What are the nicknames for positions around the table?

What’s a rebuy tournament?

What does domination mean?

What are some things you should know before hosting a home game?

What are props and shills?

Are weak aces playable in no limit hold ‘em?

What’s a free roll?

Are non-nut draws playable in Omaha?

What’s a freeroll satellite?

How does the game change when you’re down to two players?

What if everyone goes all-in before I act in a single table tournament?

Why should you review hand histories?

What should I look for in the hand history?

Should you limp late in a tournament?

What’s the free card play?

When is a time you should fold AA before the flop?

What is Poker Tracker?

What is some useful poker software?

Is there cheating online?

What happens when a card is exposed?

What’s in a Name?

Should I fold AA on the first hand of a tournament?

How should I play if I have just one chip left?

How do you deal with a frequent raiser?

What’s a resteal?

Do novices players call too much?

What’s a stop-n-go?

How should you play blind vs. blind?

Why is it important to pay attention to my image?

Why is it important to keep track of the flush ace?

Should I always play poker by the book?

Is winning everything in poker?

What should I do when I fold my hand in poker?

Should I play in every round of poker?

How do I choose a table at which to play poker?

Is there a good system to use in poker?

How can I practice my poker skills?

How can I find out if I played a hand the right way?

What is the world championship of poker?





Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Poker Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Carma Spence-Pothitt