Pause, breathe, and collect yourself, because you are looking down at pocket Jack's, one of the most in-sincere hands that will ever come your way. In this world of poker you have to remember one crucial thing, no matter the hand you flop, STAY SITUATIONAL. Now with that being said, let's move on to tackling this monster.

First and foremost is the position you are dealt this hand in, consider it. If you are either Under the Gun (position immediately after the small blind) or a position or two after it, consider limping in with the Jacks and gaining as much information about your opponents hands as possible. (Later positions are an advantage for this hand and I would recommend an immediate power play if you see no one else taking control). If you see a small to medium sized raise, (in comparison to your chip stack of course) then take you time, and make the call. In the event that you see an all-in bet, know that you are going to be going up against at least 1 of 3 over cards or pocket pairs, and that it will be a toss up situation.

Let's say that you limped in and were met with a raise that was about 1/5^th of your chip stack, everyone else has folded and it's your action. Here is where the spin on the J's come through. You have two choices, call the bet and hope for under cards, or, turn the tables and become the aggressor. I will break down the two scenarios for you now.

Calling: When you simply call with the pocket J's, you put yourself in a vulnerable position to be muscled out by the three over cards (Q,K,A) that your opponent may have. You also put yourself in the position of getting to the flop for cheap, along with everyone else, meaning that every player has a shot at their mediocre cards to catch. I am not a fan of this particular method, although it can be useful at the right moment. In the likely scenario that an over card comes on the flop (about two thirds of the time) and your opponents bets, (anywhere above one quarter of your stack) it is time to let the Jack's go, depending of course on your situation, remember that there are no concrete rules in poker. If that bet does not come, and the action comes around to you, bet just under half of the pot, you need to let your opponent know that your hand is for real, while not committing yourself too much to a check-raise situation. If an over card is not produced on the flop, don't be greedy, it's time to be that aggressive player and buy the pot away before one does come, either on the turn or the river.

Raising: When you decide to become the aggressive player with Jacks then you HAVE to continue being that player, that is unless you land the set, (J,J,J) then you should pull back on the reins. You raised your opponents raise after simply calling the blind that was in front of you, that would suggest a hand of prominence, or that you are trying to steal the pot. Reading your opponents next move is critical. If you are met with a call, your opponent is a near guarantee to have at least one over card on you, or a pocket pair, either below or above. If you are met with a re-raise it is time to put up, or shut up and either move them all in, or bow out. If and when you make it to the flop and an over card comes up, it is time to play the semi-bluff. You might want to check and make your opponent think trap, or you may come right out of the gates at him and hope that the particular over card that came down was not his/hers. As is with the calling strategy, if there are no over cards produced, do not get greedy. Make an attempt at taking down the pot as quickly as possible, minimizing your chances of a card that will hurt you from making an appearance.

So just remember, Jacks are the 4^th best starting hand you can be dealt. If you are cautious, and play your surroundings appropriately, your position will be improved, or, you won't find yourself caught in the grips and broke from the dreaded fish hooks.

By Mitch Orsatti