Tips on How to Play KK and AA Starting Combinations on No Limit Hold'em Tables with Small Buy-ins

AA and KK are the best starting combinations in texas holdem. According to statistics, these are the most profitable combinations. That is why a player with these hands on the preflop looks forward to getting a good win. This is the main problem with these hands, because it is always very difficult to fold hands like these even when a player realizes that he will probably lose. A typical mistake for new players is getting into the game without a raise with AA and KK. The player doesn't usually fold easily and lose much. Don't be discouraged if you win just a small amount with this hand. This can occur often, but you should be afraid of losing a lot. This is common when you just take blinds with AA or KK. Also it is important to note that you should try to play against at least one or two opponents on the flop. AA and KK are just a pairs and there are many stronger combinations. The more opponents you have, the higher is the possibility that someone will draw a combination like that.

Here are some examples.

Example 1. If you are afraid of small bets you lose a lot.
NL50. Stacks: Button ($71), Hero - CO ($51.75)

Hero has KdKh.

The beginning of the hand is standard enough and it should not raise many questions.

Preflop: 2 folds, Hero raises to $2, Button calls $2, 2 folds.

Flop: 8c-6c-5s, pot ($4)

Hero bets $3, Button calls $3.

Turn: Qh, pot ($10)

Many beginners make a mistake in this situation. They are afraid of a call on the flop and will usually check. They don't fold kings and just passively call bets. The right decision in this situation is to continue your attack with a $7 bet, and fold if your contender re-raises.

The player in this example is not skilled enough, which leads to the hand finishing in this way:

Hero checks, Button bets $7, Hero calls $7.

River: 3d, pot ($24)

Hero bets $7, Button raises to $28, Hero folds.

Instead of betting $7 on the turn and determine his position, the hero played passively and spent $14. And On the river he made a weak bet, and in doing so, he made it clear that he was afraid and unsure of his hand's strength.

Example 2. Crowd can't be mistaken.
NL50. Stacks: CO ($32.6), SB ($49), Hero MP2 ($55.82)

Hero has AhAs.

Hero raises $2, 1 fold, CO calls $2, Button calls $2, SB calls $1.75, 1 fold.

So, the first problem is that you have a top pair on the flop. At the beginning you should realize that there is a possibility of a situation in which you must fold on the post-flop.

Flop: 6c-2c-4h, pot($8.5).

SB checks, Hero bets $7, CO calls $7, 1 fold, SB raises $20, Hero ?

So, SB is in a bad position and has checked. There are many players in the game but Hero makes a cont bet the size of the pot. For the contenders it means that he has an over pair. In spite of this CO calls and SB re-raises. The way the contenders are playing shows they most likely have a stronger hand than Hero. When only one player shows aggressiveness, other variants are possible. The best idea is to fold if you're playing against two opponents.

Hero played correctly and folded AA. Further the hand was played that way:

Hero folds, CO calls $13.

Turn: 9h, pot ($55.5).

SB goes all in $27, CO goes all in $10.6

River: Jh, pot ($93.1).

The result is:

Summary in white below:

SB has 7h, 7d

CO has Jc, Kc

Total pot $90.10 Rake $3.00

CO: wins $73.70

Hero could have won this hand if he hadn't folded. Many new players will incorrectly blame themselves in situations like these. You should never feel as if it's your fault. This situation rarely occurs. More often than not you will play with strong hands.

Example 3. Revisiting what to do if you are in an early position.
Hero has AcAd.

NL50. stacks: Button ($63.97), Hero UTG ($50.20).

Preflop: Hero raises to $2.00, 1 fold, Button calls $2.00, 2 folds.

Flop: Qs - 7s - Qh, pot ($4.75).

Hero bets $3.50, Button raises to $7.00, Hero ?

This is an example showing how there are times when how you play later in the game is determined on the flop. If your opponent is known to be an aggressive player, the best way to play is WA/WB (you are far ahead or far behind). You allow your opponent the chance to bet and you just passively call his bets or check. Thus, we don't show strength of our hand and can possibly draw a combination later.

In most cases you will be playing against an unfamiliar opponent or a non-aggressive one (when we speak about small buy-ins). That is why the best way to determine the contender's hand is to call his bet and attack on the turn. If he doesn't have a queen, he will not dare to attack you again. So, fold if the opponent re-raises your bet. Hero played right in this situation.

Hero calls.

Turn: 4d, pot ($18.75)

Hero bets $12.00, Button goes all-in for $54.97, Hero folds.

Hero lost the hand but with minimum possible loses. If you lose little, it means the same as winning in this situation.

Example 4. Extra dangerous flop.
Hero has AdAc.

Pre-flop: 2 folds, Hero raises to $2, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls.

Flop: Tc-Qc-Kd, pot ($6.25)

BB checks, Hero bets $4, Button folds, BB raises to $14, Hero ?

There is a flush-draw on the board and the opponent most likely has this draw. At the same time, the flop may bring many complete combinations which are stronger than your hand. Contenders could just call on the pre-flop with hands like these. You should fold if there is a strong raise.

Hero folds.

Example 5. Time to win.
We have already considered four examples of the most profitable poker hands. Hero lost all these hands. It is time to turn the poker game around. Here is a typical example which is called a bluff of despair.

NL50. Stacks: Button ($53.65), Hero UTG ($50).

Hero has AcAs

Preflop: Hero raises to $2.00, 1 fold, Button calls, 2 folds.

Flop: 2d - Td - Qh, pot ($4.75).

Hero bets $3, Button calls.

Turn: 4c, pot ($10.75)

Hero bets $7, Button calls.

River: 7c, pot ($24.75).

The pot is rather big already. The contender has called two of your bets and you are probably a little nervous. What is the best way to play here? If the opponent has just a jack, he wouldn't call your adequate bet on the river. If he has a flush-draw, he wouldn't call either. The possibility of a flush-draw in this situation is very high. The best decision would be to check. It may provoke a bluff on an unfinished combination.

Hero Check, Button bets $20, Hero calls.

Button showed Ad5d and Hero gets the pot $64.75.

Example 6. What if you think?
NL25. Stacks: SB ($30.75), Hero ($64.48).

Hero has AcAh.

Preflop: CO folds, Hero raises to $1, MP calls $1, Button folds, SB calls $0.90, BB folds.

Flop: 3s - 2s - 2c, pot ($2.90)

SB bets $2, Hero?

You were the aggressor on the pre-flop, but SB decided to make a donk bet. He can play this way with a small pair (44 and higher) hoping you have two over cards and you will likely fold. A half bluff is also possible on a flush-draw. The best thing for you to do is to re-raise the opponent's bet.

Hero raises to $6, MP folds, SB raises $27.75 (All-In).

SB went all-in. You have only an over pair and the best idea is to fold as the bet is too big. But what if you play another way?

So, SB called your raise on the pre-flop. Two is extremely improbable. He possibly has 33, but going all-in makes no sense as you will most likely fold. This type of play is often seen when players have weak hands or unfinished combinations. That is why hero called.

The contender showed 6s6d. Hero was right about the opponent's hand. The hand was finished like this: there were spades on the turn and river and the contender won the pot. Hero was not lucky. This happens sometimes, but he did play correctly.

In these examples Hero has to fold. This is a very important skill to have when your cards are very high. Another characteristic that is common among beginners is: they become overexcited and often careless. It's important to stay focused on your knowledge and skill to play will in situations like these. Don't play this hand passively attempting to involve more people in the pot. Most likely the turn will turn your premium pair into dust. Do not search for new ways and do not overestimate your abilities. Take what you have and go for it. Give yourself time to hone the basics before coming up with your own texas holdem strategy.

Good luck!