The Poker Quiz

While playing in your weekly home game you are dealt pocket kings in early position. You are known to be an aggressive force at the table and decide to open the pot with a strong raise to 4x the big blind. You are called by your friend who plays well and is sitting directly to your left. Action is then folded around. You know your friend/opponent has the ability to call your raises with a wide verity of hands and does not necessarily give you credit for a strong holding.

The flop comes Ace-8-3 rainbow.

The Solution

Bet (About ½- 2/3 the pot)

Many people will play their kings entirely too weak after an ace hits on the flop. They will check it down and fold if their opponent puts out a bet. However, just because an ace hit on the flop does not mean you must automatically give your opponent credit for holding one.

In fact by leading with a bet you can represent that you are the one with a strong ace. Do not let completely fear the ace and play your kings strongly until you are given a real reason to believe that you are beat.

Remember, you pick up much more information from a bet than a check so lead out with your kings. With subsequent action you will have a better idea if your opponent has an ace that he is not willing to lay down.