Difficulties with Queens (Poker)

[CJ Mars]

I find pocket Queens one of the hardest hands to play. I wonder what other players typically do when dealt queens? I generally play tables of 6 as opposed to tables of 10 BTW. My general strategy is to make a raise at least twice the size of the current pot if the pot is unraised. I'll call a small-medium raise from any position and sometimes reraise. My intention is to try and get the players down to at least a heads up situation with one or two as my chances are so much better there. If nothing higher than a queen flops and unless there’s a made flush or straight on the board I’ll raise the pot to try and make the draws as expensive as possible for anyone left. Generally most folk will fold at that stage. The problem comes of course if an A or K flops. Two hands yesterday illustrates this perfectly. There’s a raise from a player behind me when ’m dealt ffice:smarttags" /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comQueens in mid position. This guy has been raising with pocket pairs all night. He’s already given me a severe hiding by calling a chunky pot sized AK raise with pocket 8s and flopping trips when I flop an A. I call the raise and raise him the pot. I’m determined to raise him out of it if the flop isn’t too scary. The blinds fold and the flop comes Kd 8s 4h He raises the pot. I debate this internally and eventually fold. He of course turns over 99 :\ .The right call by me? The second incident with an early caller and me raising twice the pot with pocket queens.The table is VERY loose. The caller and another later player call the raise and 3 see the flop which comes 6d 8d 3c There’s a possible str and flush draw on. The early player checks and I raise the pot. Both call. The turn comes Ks :unsure <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comThe early player checks. I figure I can’t show weakness here :( and raise ½ the pot (same size as last raise on the flop). The late player folds but the early player calls. A rag falls on the river. The early player checks. I debate another raise but I figure there’s so much in the pot that enough is enough. He turns over AJ d. He was on a flush draw with an overcard. By my reckoning the call on the turn was ok by him but not on the river. More importantly was my raise on the turn correct? I know in both these examples the style of the table and so on are vital but generally what is the best strategy for Qs?

[Mockler]

Re: Difficulties with Queens (Poker) Hiya there, QQ can be a diffuclt hand too suss out .. but remember it is the 3rd best hand in poker .. so it isnt all that hard. When the flop comes .. dont be scared too see a king .. people rarely call a high raise with anything other than a A high or maybe KQ or even pocket lower pair. If someone bets into you with a flop like you said .. try a re raise .. perfect way of seeing where they lie in the hand .. if they call your re raise and dont re raise you .. u possibly are winning the hand and there looking for outs. When a flop comes down with 2 suits .. you gotta those guys looking for flush/st8 draws out of there .. hefty bet on the flop is called for when this happens .. if 1 stays with you and the turn is a rag .. put him all in .. at least then he is paying 4/1 odds or so off finding his out card .. if you lose , you lose .. this happens .. this is poker but that would be a great strong play for you too make and you will win more often than you will lose in the long run playing a hand this way. Im a professional player .. $hit happens all the time .. its called POKER .. love it or hate it. Hope this helps Glen