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.
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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 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?
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 are some nicknames for hands?
What are some more hand nicknames?
Is it ever right to raise a garbage hand after someone calls before the flop?
What does it mean to mix it up?
Why should you ever show your cards?
What are nicknames for non-pairs?
How should hands like KQ be played in limit vs. no limit Texas holdem?
Why would you keep a short stack alive?
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?
Where’s part three of the glossary ?!
I demand to see more glossary!
How should you play when there are no check-raises?
What’s way ahead way behind mean?
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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?
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Are weak aces playable in no limit hold ‘em?
Are non-nut draws playable in Omaha?
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?
When is a time you should fold AA before the flop?
What is some useful poker software?
What happens when a card is exposed?
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?
Do novices players call too much?
How should you play blind vs. blind?
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Is winning everything in poker?
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Should I play in every round of poker?
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Is there a good system to use in poker?
How can I practice my poker skills?
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What is the world championship of poker?