How to play JJ...

Pvnuts · #1 09-12-2007, 02:38 PM

Hi everyone,

Here is my question. I just graduated from Limit to NL cash poker (online). A very different game indeed!! I'm doing ok, I think my limit experience has prepared me to play better since I use to get killed at NL cash games.

Here is my question. Let's say I have JJ in position at a table where I don't know much about the other players. So the profile on my opponents is random. There is a pre-flop standard raise from the early position and two other limpers. So I play the 0.25/.05, so that would put $4.50 in the pot. Keep in mind that I only go into a game with 40% of the maximum buyin... in my case $20. My thoughts are that JJ will win it's share more than loose... plus I may simply pick up the pot right there and then giving me a 25% rate of return... Does it make sense for me to push all in? Is my edge good enough to make that play rather than seeing a flop with an overcard or two? Or should I call and play from there....

Thanks

KurtSF · #2 09-12-2007, 03:43 PM

A pot sized bet in this position would be $8.75. With $20 stacks and unknown opponents a shove is fine.

Mike Gallo · #3 09-12-2007, 04:25 PM

Hi Pvnuts,

We have had countless discussion on the subject of how to play pocket Jacks.

As you gain experience you will get the feel of how to play Jacks.

metsandfinsfan · #4 09-12-2007, 04:56 PM

if you are playing shortstacked then pushing is correct
with a large stack, probably not

Mike Gallo · #5 09-12-2007, 05:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
if you are playing shortstacked then pushing is correct
with a large stack, probably not

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this.

Pvnuts · #6 09-14-2007, 09:02 AM

HEy everyone...

Thanks for your input. That's what I've been doing, pushing my money in (and it seems to pay off)... but I just wanted to see what others thought of this play.

Here is a follow up question... where is the cut off with this play? Again I go in with a low stack and I'm holding AK or AQ or 22... where do I draw the line for this play...

Rek · #7 09-14-2007, 09:09 AM

I have learnt how to play JJ with excellent results - fold the frigging hooks every time in every position regardless of chip stacks and keep your sanity at the same time. I haaattttte them

GrumpyB · #8 09-14-2007, 09:13 AM

"where do I draw the line for this play... " - I would recommend looking at page 209 of "No Limit Hold ‘em: Theory and Practice" (I just got that reference off www.notedpokerauthority.com as I'm at work and I don't have a copy of the book with me. Reading it at work is frowned on!]

gregorio · #9 09-14-2007, 09:15 AM

This is covered in NL Theroy and Practice by Miller and Sklansky. In the chart below, the right-most column tells you the maximize stack size it is profitable to move all in with in $1/$2 NL.
http://www2.decf.berkeley.edu/~chubukov/rankings.html

But of course moving all in preflop with most hands is just usually going to get everyone to fold unless they have you beat. But it is much better to just learn how to play poker after the flop.

I think Miller's Intro to NL book deals with how to play a short stack. But you should really play with a bigger stack or people you play with will hate you.

Pvnuts · #10 09-14-2007, 09:30 AM

Gregorio, keep in mind that that is $8 in the pot and I came in the NL50 with $20.00. I'm doing this because I want them to fold... I'm trying to avoid and AKQ to come up on the turn or river and take the pot right there and then...

Can you explain to me the chart you sent a bit further? It looks like you're onto something, but I'm not sure how to use it... can you give me an example of my playing say... 99 and use the chart to explain the play...

Thanks