Playing Pairs

With any pair AA to 22, in any position,

First in raise three times the big blind.

Facing a limp call with QQ to 22 and reraise with KK and AA.

Any Two Cards Can Win

It's true that any two cards can win a single hand. Aggressively played 72 off suit will likely win a huge pot against an over played pair of aces. But play 72 at every opportunity and the amount it will lose will far outweigh those rare big pots. Premium starting hands are more profitable than rags even though they will lose the occasional big pot.

The first tier of premium starting hands are the all pairs AA to 22. Play them from any position.

Raise every time in any position if you are first to act.

Reraise AA and KK but call any limp and first-in raise with the others.

If you face a reraise and the first raiser is still to respond then fold. If you are last to act and both your stack and that of the reraiser is greater than 10 times the call then call.

Then wait for the flop.

Profitable Poker Is A dull Tedious Grind

If you plan to play long term profitable poker then give up the idea that it is exciting all action that is the way to go.

There is nothing wrong with playing poker for the heart in mouth excitement of winning large pots with marginal hands and all in pushes. But sure as eggs is eggs sooner or later one exciting pot will be bust your bankroll and be your last.

Solid profitable poker is the key to beating the game and the profits come from other players who are playing for action and excitement nit by playing like them.

The first principle is to get used to folding. expect to fold most of the time. Fold preflop, fold when reraised fold when you know you are being bluffed by an action monkey. Folding takes discipline but folding is profitable.