Contrary to popular belief, Pocket Jacks (JJ) are a very strong hand in No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em. Many players consider JJ their least favorite hand, and for good reason. For the novice player especially, it is a difficult hand to play. But if one steps back and analyzes the situation they are in, this hand can prove to be a powerful one.

Knowing the math of Hold 'Em is crucial to allowing one to make correct decisions, particularly when holding JJ. If you are sitting at the poker table and are dealt JJ, one thought should pop into your head immediately. Pre-flop, there are only 3 hands that beat you (AA,KK,& QQ). These 3 higher pocket pairs dominate your hand and will beat you approximately 80% of the time. However, your JJ holds the same overwhelming edge against all remaining 9 pocket pairs, from 10-10 to 2-2.

Furthermore, your JJ is a favorite against any unpaired hand. This advantage is very small (51%) against 2 overcards, such as A-K, A-Q, or K-Q, so you are in a virtual "coin-toss." Against a hand like A-9, where you are only vulnerable to one overcard, you are about a 2:1 favorite. And should you be up against a player holding 2 cards lower than your Jack(s), you are a huge favorite. Understanding where JJ stands against all other hands pre-flop (combined with knowing the tendencies of your opponents) is critical in determining whether you will find success with this often misplayed hand.

I generally choose to play JJ aggressively preflop when the table action is checked to me. I will come in for a standard raise to about 3 times the big blind. I never like to limp with this hand, because it becomes vulnerable quickly should any overcards hit the flop. I want to make it fairly expensive for opponents to play with me. If someone re-raises me pre-flop, I need to evaluate what type of player he is. If he is a tight player who hasn't played very many pots, there is a good chance he has my JJ beat. Additionally, if the tight raiser has position on me, I will fold and move on to the next hand.

If I am up against a loose, aggressive player who has re-raised me, I will probably call his re-raise in position, and hope to see low cards on the flop. A loose player such as he could be raising with a wide variety of starting hands, meaning my JJ are probably in good shape at the moment. However, should my initial raise be followed by a raise and a re-raise, I fold quickly. My JJ are no good here. As legend T.J. Cloutier says, the third raise is almost always AA or KK.

If nothing else, my initial raise to open the pot allows me to find out where I stand in the hand. Ideally, I will take down the pot without a fight. But should I get called, hopefully I will only be playing one other opponent. It's much easier to play JJ post-flop againt a single opponent rather than play a multi-way pot. The larger number of callers makes it far more likely that someone is holding at least an overcard to my JJ, resulting in much guess work should the flop bring something such as K-10-5.

Post-flop against a single opponent, I bet aggressively in early position, so long as the board doesn't bring 2 overcards to my JJ. If he hasn't paired his whole cards or is holding an underpair like 7-7 to the flop, my bet should win the pot here. Checking to him would've given him the opportunity to take control of the betting.

If checked to me in later position, I'd make the same probing bet. Unless he is holding a monster hand (such as a set), his check was probably a sign of weakness, and I need to capitalize on that. Besides, many experienced players would've bet right out with their huge hand, making it less likely he is holding one in this spot.

Having position on my opponent is also important because it allows me to be the aggressor in the hand. I can take more chances in this spot, and more often than not will succeed. Even if he made second pair on a flop of A-Q-8 for example, betting if checked to me could very well win the pot. Even though I am only holding a pair of Jacks, his check indicates he is not holding an Ace. And because the pot was raised pre-flop, it is reasonable for him to assume that I am holding an Ace. Even though his pair of Queens has my hand beat, he doesn't know that.

The problem many players have with JJ ultimately boils down to confusion and lack of confidence. Jacks are a strong enough hand that you don't want to just muck them to a raise pre-flop. And you shouldn't be praying to hit a set with them like you would holding a pair of threes either. Remember, JJ is a favorite against all, but 3 hands pre-flop.

Furthermore, those who complain about JJ are typically far too willing to give up on their hand should any Ace, King, or Queen hit the flop. I have even seen players muck JJ (face-up) on boards of 10-10-4, because they fear an opponent flopped trips. Remember, far more often than not, when the board has paired like this, your pocket pair is the best hand!

Unfortunately, many people have pre-determined notions for how to play JJ, without taking into account far more important factors such as who they are playing against, their chip count, and their table position. JJ seems unique in it's ability to shatter many players' confidence, but it shouldn't.

It has been said there are 3 ways to play JJ and they are all wrong. I disagree. JJ can win you many big pots, as long as you make an effort to understand when and how to play them in different situations. I can honestly say I have won more big pots holding JJ (and QQ) than any other hands. JJ aren't as easy to sniff out as AA or KK, and you can often disguise the strength of this hand. Pick your spots, know your opponents, and play your JJ aggressively. Then smile with confidence as you rake in the pot.

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