I was discussing hand strategy with my friend the other day and he basically says he unloads at pocket pair any time an Ace comes on the flop and his opponent bets.

He gave me this recent hand from a 2-5 game…

“I preflop bet with 1010 and was called by one opponet the board came A84 rainbow.  My opponent in the small blind led out for half the pot.  I folded.”

“Why?”

“I’ve been beat too many times when that Ace comes out there by an opponent holding an Ace to call.”

“You realize that if you fold a pocket pair to an Ace every time you become predictable and your opponents can always bet an Ace high flop against you.  Hell if, I thought you had a big pocket pair, it becomes valuable to call with any two cards.  I could nail a flop against you and win a big pot.  Or I could bet if an A comes out.  I shut down if you call knowing you have AA.  Still, long run I’d win off you when you fold KK or QQ.”

 ”I don’t care, everytime somebody’s bet that Ace they’ve had it.”

Oh well.  I hope he reads this.  Dan Harrington on cash games in a similar situation argues he’d raise 20 per cent of the time and call 80 per cent of the time.  Meaning he’d fold 0 per cent of the time.

If you raise, and the opponent comes over the top Harrington advocates you should fold 100% of the time because you should know the guy isn’t scared of the Ace is or helped by it.

If he calls the turn brings more options.

Harrington advocates if a high card (K through J) comes and your opponent bets it’s easier to credit him for a hand that beats your 10s.  Fold 80 per cent and call 20 per cent.  If the opponent checks this is great.  Your 10s could be good.  You can bet and chase away a hand like JJ that might have you beat but is now scared of the Akxx or AQxx board or eliminate a hand that might have drawing possibilities.

A low card comes and he bets.  His bet indicates he’s got an ace so now you can pitch most of the time.  If you’ve seen him fire three barrels with second pair consider a call.  However each bet in the face of the ace is indicative he’s got a big boy in his pocket too.

There are too many times where your pocket pair is still good to simply lay it down on a dry ace board.  For more information on online Texas Hold ‘Em strategy I advocate adding Harrington on Cash Games to your library.  These days c-bets are as standard as opening in late position with almost any two cards. 

Don’t fear the ace.  You may still be good.