Pocket Jacks are one of the most difficult hands to play in poker. You don’t want to over play the hand. However, you do want to be in position to pick up a nice pot. Here are a few ways I like to play pocket Jacks:

1. Limp from early position early in a poker tournament with this hand. You can always call a raise as long as it is reasonable. The main thing you are attempting to do is hit the flop and hopefully slow play the hand for a big score.
2. Raise from late position. This play has the usual advantages. A) You get weaker hands out of the pot. B) You may be able to take down the pot out right at that point.
3. Be pre-pared to fold to a large re-raise when you have raised in position and are facing heat.
4. Don’t over play the hand when the flop comes down [7][2][T] or something similar. Make your bet and see how your opponent reacts and proceed from there. Just because the flop looks favorable does not mean that you always have the best hand.

Pocket Jacks have always been and always will be a very tough hand to play. It takes discipline, as with any hand, but when you stick to good fundamental poker strategy you tend to put yourself a notch ahead of your opponents. JJ is not a bad hand but it can be played poorly. Take your time and make good decisions with it and you will do just fine.

Curtis III