How to play Pocket Queens QQ
The game of Pocket Queens should not be a difficult task for any player, but without guidance it can get you into unwanted trouble. Pocket Queens QQ is a very good starting hand, one of the best. However, you should remember that if you had a good hand before the flop, it doesn’t always mean that you will have a good hand after the flop. Sometimes it is more correct to discard such a hand after the flop. One of the main reasons why beginners lose money is that they get attached to their big premium pairs and fail to reset them after the flop when they need to. Don’t be stubborn and just call because you have a big pocket pair. Think about what your opponent might have.
What are some tips for playing Pocket Queens?
In the case of Pocket Queens, you should raise the preflop. If the pot is not opened, you should open to the standard 3x big blind raise. If the pot is already open, you should make a decent bet of 2.5x – 3.5x the size of the open raise. If he does this often, you should probably just call and let him bluff – that would be a good play. If the player who bets thinks long, you can just call and try to get a set if you both have deep stacks. If you have less than 100 big blinds and more than 30 big blinds, a fold is not a bad play. If you have less than 30 big blinds, you should just go all-in.
How to hit the flop in Pocket Queens?
Statistical analysis shows that Pocket Queens hit a strong combo on the flop about 12% of the time, either by getting a set or something stronger like a full house or even fours. When you get a strong connection, you will be in a great position to capitalise, although, this can sometimes be easier said than done.
Preflop strategy in Pocket Queens
If you reach the flop and there is no ace or king, keep betting to get value, and if there is an ace or king, bet once, and if you are called, proceed with caution and consider folding. Whether you’re in an online poker tournament or a live cash game, looking down at two queens is always nice. Although this hand is considered the third strongest in poker, some tricky situations can still arise – particularly if an ace or king shows up on the flop. The winning percentage with queens can be very high, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a few things to improve your strategy and play this hand optimally. As with any other poker strategy, you first need to think about how to play preflop. This is where your pair of queens is strongest, so it’s important to make the most of it.
Almost always make a raiser or re-raise
As the third strongest pocket pair, it makes sense for you to collect the pot as early as possible. As a result, you should almost always raise or re-raise when action folds to you. In unraised pots, you will definitely want to rake. As a rule of thumb, your size should be about three times the size of the big blind. Furthermore, you should also bet higher when your opponent raises. When you decide to do this, the size of your bet will depend on your position at the table. If you have a position above the initial preflop raiser, your bet should be about three times his raise. However, if you are out of position, increase that size to about four times their bet.
Cases when you should not raise or re-raise
There are cases when it is better to call rather than raise. However, these cases are quite rare. For example, if an opponent who usually plays very tight suddenly opens preflop. There is a good chance that he has a stronger hand, such as pocket aces. It may make sense to call if you are in late position and see what the flop brings.
How to play Pocket Queens postflop?
When you have a pair of queens, there is a high probability that you will see the flop. Therefore, you need to know how to act after the flop to make the most of these top-notch poker hands. Your strategy, as is often the case, will largely depend on the situation you find yourself in.
Never slow down your play on a low flop in Pocket Queens
If you have an overpair on the flop, you should give up the urge to slow play. In this situation, you are in a very strong position and should be looking to capitalise as much as possible. For example, you have an overpair, meaning your pocket pair is higher than any card on the board. However, in most cases you should still play aggressively, as it is a bad idea to be afraid of rare and unlikely hands.This is especially true if you are in a heads-up pot. When there are fewer opponents to worry about, the chances of success are much higher. You may want to tone down your aggression if you are faced with a raise from an opponent who usually plays taut. This is especially true if you are involved in a multiway pot, where the likelihood of bluffing is much lower.
Facing an ace or king on the flop in Pocket Queens
Although two queens is a strong starting hand preflop, it loses its value if an ace or king comes on the flop. In either case, your opponent may have a card that gives him a stronger pair. This does not mean that you should fold or expect to lose in these situations. It just means that you need to change your approach somewhat. Your opponent may have an unpaired hand or a lower pair that you can beat. If you have a flush or straight paired with it, your opponent may become more aggressive and turn small pocket pairs into bluffs. Instead of going all-in, it is important to exercise restraint and control the pot. For example, instead of calling on all three streets, you can simply bet on the flop, check on the turn and bet on the river. Alternatively, slow down on the flop before betting on the turn and river. This will allow you to get a lot of value out of your queens without getting out of control of the pot. If your opponent has a hand that beats you, you will usually find out by the river as he will be more aggressive.
Caution in multi-sided pots in Pocket Queens
As mentioned above, you should be very cautious if you are involved in a multi-sided pot. On low-card boards, it is better to continue to play aggressively. However, you should be wary of big raises, especially on turn or river. Generally, players do not raise on turn or river unless they have the best possible hand. While some opponents may still bluff, this is less common in multiway pots. Knowing the players at your table well will help you better understand their possible ranges.
Overpair play in Pocket Queens
Of all the possible situations that can happen when Pocket Queens comes out postflop, a flop with an overpair on the board is the most common. Approximately 50% of the time, Pocket Queens will overpair on the flop. Overpairs with Pocket Queens are 2-street hands by default, according to the solver. Superpower hands with one pair are usually on the verge of triple-barreling on the river. This is one of the main trends that can be noticed. However, against weaker opponents you should aim to get 3 value straight with your overpair provided the board texture isn’t terrible. If there are a bunch of draws coming on the board, or the top card hits a pair, or if a more passive player raises on turn or river – it is advisable to slow down. But if your weaker opponent continues to happily call postflop, generally keep betting with overpair and maximise that value.
Conclusion
Playing Pocket Queens certainly has its value among poker players. You, before you start playing, should carefully familiarise yourself with all the possible situations so that you don’t lose your deposit. You can play Pocket Queens in both regular casino establishments and online casinos on your gadget.
