Big pair in the blinds preflop, no limit cash

Game type: No limit cash
Your image: You are new to the table
Misc notes:
Your hand: Q♠Q♣

The setup: You’re happy to see QQ in the pocket on just your second hand at the table, and even happier to see some action in front. A short stack raises to $6, one person calls and the rest of the table folds to you. You are in the SB with QQ. What’s your play?

5 COMMENTS (Jump to comment form)

Hill Pellmuth

Hey, why not raise small and make it look like you’re trying to isolate the short stack – you might be able to get player E to stick in the hand even if the short stack goes all in. I don’t mind playing QQ for a main pot and a side pot here.

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AcesFall

Gotta reraise large here. Try and get it in with the short while putting the squeeze play on player E.

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Frank

Yes, raise large. I wouldn’t want to be up against more then one opponent out of position with a hand like this.

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Ripp

I would raise to 18-20, enought to represent your strength, posibly isolate, and have a nice payoff. you do not want multiple opponents with this hand. if someone comes over top of you preflop, come back over top of them. if there is no A or K on the flop, go all in so they have to pay to catch you on the turn or river. if there is an A or K on the flop, you are under the gun so represent. you will either buy the pot or find the A or K.

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Patrick Cherry

Out of position, I will raise large now. If I was on the button I would have raised small trying to isolate the short-stack, but I really don’t want an Ace to flop and get in a tough spot, especially being out of position, so I raise big, and take command of the hand right from the start.

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