How do you play pocket kings?

Pocket kings is the second-best starting hand in poker, so you raise and re-raise it for value and only worry about an ace once the flop actually brings one.

Pocket Kings

Premium

82.4%

Equity vs a random hand

6

Combos (of 1,326)

5/5

Seats that open it

Play it almost exactly like aces before the flop: raise, and re-raise when someone opens ahead of you. The fear of running into aces costs players far more than the rare times it happens, so do not fold kings preflop in a normal cash game. After the flop, an ace on board is a real signal to slow down against serious pressure, but most flops miss the ace and you are still crushing.

This hand opens for a raise from every position, including under the gun.

Common mistake: Playing scared. Folding kings preflop because someone might have aces, or shutting down every time a low card hits, both leave money on the table.

Quick tip: One ace on the board out of every five flops, give or take. The other four times you are still ahead.