Playing Ace-Queen
Ace-Queen is one of the trickiest hands for most players to play. Many players believe that the only action you’ll get on this hand will usually beat you, so that means you need to be extra alert when trying to win a pot with Big Chick. There are a few things to consider when you’re playing this hand.
The first thing to look at is the table size. If you’re playing a full ring game or a tournament, you will want to tread a little more carefully. With nine players at the table, the chances of a bigger hand being out there increases. Short table situations make your Big Chick more valuable. Head to head situations make this hand very strong, even a re-raise for the rest of your chips would usually not be a bad move.
Pre-flop is the “feeling out point” in the hand for these cards. This is where you attempt to find out where you stand. Your position on the table is probably the most important factor in playing this hand correctly. From later positions the rule is usually to raise with this hand if there has been no raise ahead of you. In the situation where there is a raise and a re-raise ahead of you, folding A-Q is your best move. You’re likely up against a hand that has you dominated, or at best you have a 50% chance to win. The same goes for an early position check-raise. Many players flat call with premium hands to induce a raise from an opponent in a late position. Once there’s some money in the pot they’ll force the action.
Playing Ace-Queen should be treated like you are walking on thin ice. Consider who’s doing all the betting and act accordingly. If you utilize this strategy properly Ace-Queen will win you more chips than it will cost you.
