Tips for Playing Good Hands...
When you get good solid hands (like the ones below) after the flop it's important to play them well. These types of hands can easily land you in trouble if played badly. Remember these are good hands, but not unbeatable hands! In most circumstances you will be ahead after the flop.
You'll need to pay close attention to win with these cards, the more players that are in the pot the weaker these hands become. If you took our advice from the playable hands guide then your pre-flop raise should have driven out drawing hands that could have you beat. Don't let anyone see another card too cheaply, but if you are raised consider that your opponents may hold a higher pocket pair or the same pair as you but with a higher kicker.
When you hold Ace and a card of another suit and the lower card flops as the highest on the board - This hand should be a fairly safe bet, with lots of potential to improve your hand by catching another ace or jack.
You hold a solid high ranking pocket pair and nothing flops on the board that can realistically threaten you. A strong bet now should push those who are holding a single K or A into folding - if you are re-raised consider the possibility that you might be facing someone with a starting hand of KK, AA but it's more likely someone is holding AJ, KJ.
You make a high pair on the flop e.g. you hold J, 9 and J, 7, 8 flops – however, if you are raised consider that your opponents may hold a higher pocket pair e.g. QQ or have QJ i.e. same pair of jacks as you but with a higher kicker.
The important things to consider when playing these hands is your position on the table, who is calling or raising you
and how many people are left in the pot. It also shows the importance of watching the table action even when you've folded your cards. What type of player just raised your 'good hand' - 'Tight Players' Don't get involved in many hands and only call or raise high starting pairs or Ace King suited before the flop. 'Loose Players' tend to call almost everything in the hope of catching a lucky card on the flop, turn or river. You need to judge which type of player you're up against.
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