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Pocket aces (that is a concealed pair of aces) in Texas Hold'em Poker is the best hand out of a possible 169 hands. Unfortunately, its effectiveness is so easy to spot that if it isn't played properly, you won't make the best out of the perfect situation. This article is also relevant for pocket kings, queens and jacks (but be slightly more careful, particularly if aces appear in the flop).

Steps

1. Maintain your poker face after reading your cards. Don't do a doubletake, or laugh, or smile, or play a smokescreen by frowning. All you need to do is remain neutral. Look at your chips, or even think about what you had for breakfast yesterday. This way no one will guess you have pocket rockets (A-A).
   
2. Play the right bet. If you are big/small blind, you might like to just call if someone raised before you. If you are the first to bet, just call the big blind, or if you want, you can raise by a small portion (eg. If it is 4 to call, bet 6 or 8). Don't push all in, or bet something like 5 times the blind. Put in as many raises as possible, especially if you are out of position. Never re-raise pre-flop.
   
3. Call all you need within reason. If someone goes all in preflop, you should call them. Let some people get out, and then win that money back over time. That's how pros play.
   
4. Read the flop. Play accordingly to the following situations (play the style that is most like the flop):
   High cards: K - 10 - J = Raise to about 10, or call a bet of a similar value (up to 30). Be wary of all in because it is possible to have a straight.
   The triple: A - 6 - 10 = Do a small raise on most anything.
   Quick straight: 5 - 7 - 6 = Be wary, but call for now.
   Nothing: 4 - 8 - 2 = Small raise on anything.
   Dangerous: K - K - Q = Call for now, but later on, fold to a raise from a conservative player.
   
5. Now raise on the flop if no apparent danger is present. If the river shows there are 4 cards in a row, be wary of the small raise. Play likewise for suited cards (of which you have none). Play a small raise here.
   
6. Read the river. If this doesn't give you 3 aces, be wary of a large raise. If you are looking good though, raise the raise. If they then raise, just call.
   
7. Show the cards...mysteriously. If you win the hand, allow yourself a small smile, but don't gloat. If you lose, keep thinking about yesterday's breakfast. Don't let them get an idea of how you react.
   
8. Congratulate the player next to you. And say good game. People will play worse when you mess with them.
   

Tips

• Always remind yourself of the Best Possible Hand. Chances are you don't have it.
  
• Pocket Aces is a one-pair hand. Nothing more, nothing less.
  
• Keep as many people in that you can to win more money.
  
• Don't kill yourself for folding it. This is the mark of a patient poker player.
  
• Go all in on the last card if you are short on chips. People like to call this, assuming that you're bluffing.
  
• Fold to any aggression. Be a patient player and the money will roll in. No need to force it.
  
• These instructions are for No Limit Hold 'em.
  

Warnings

• The only time that you should really go all in is if you have a great hand (e.g., Full house, A high flush, A high straight, [maybe] three of a kind) after a raise on the river, or if you are short on chips.