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Folding-pocket-Aces-preflop.-Are-you-crazy-Not-necessarily.

By: Andy Machin

Imagine the scenario. You're playing Texas hold'em poker in a
single table sit-and-go tournament. It's getting towards the
latter stages, five players are left and you can smell an
in-the-money finish. But you need to get in to the top three and
stay there - while your chip stack would be nice if it was
bigger. The blinds are becoming significant and you know you'll
have to make your move soon.

Out come the cards - miracles of miracles, you look down at your
cards and see the magic AA looking back at you. Now, surely this
means it's you right to win the hand. Announce "I'm all-in" and
become the chip leader.

Now, under most circumstances there's no doubt that you should
either push in a tasty raise or even all-in with those big aces.

Although remarkable as it may seem, there are times to fold
those "pocket rockets" and not see a flop. It takes discipline
to do and is all about risk versus reward.

If you're playing single table sit and go tournaments you must
finish in the first three to get a return on your entry fee. We
all know that the great starting hands don't come along too
often and when they do, a lot of players become married to the
hand and can't put it down under any circumstances.

The savy player knows when to fold. And that includes folding AA
pre-flop.

Here's when to consider very carefully when to muck those aces
before the flop.

Back to the scenario. Five players left, you're in fourth place
with those Aces screaming at you to push your chips in. But you
have the advantage being in last position to act. Two players
with bigger stacks than you throw enough chips in the pot to
force you all-in if you decide to play. And now the small stack
in fifth place takes his chances and goes all-in.

The action is now on you. The urge to splash your chips in to
the middle is irresistible. But before you do - this about it
for a moment. As things stand, you can fold your aces now with
the chance of moving in to third place and a money finish
without risk.

If the player in the hand with the biggest stack wins it, he'll
take out the other two with smaller stacks and you instantly get
bumped up to third place and guaranteed money without. And
without risking any of your chips which you still have to fight
with.

Risk = zero. Reward = third place at least and a guaranteed
prize money.

That's when to fold anything pre-flop, not just aces. Throw
anything away at any stage if it means you can move in to the
money without risk.

Article Source: http://www.acmearticles.com

About the author: Article written by Andy Machin. Author of a 22 chapter ebook on tournament poker strategy. Details at www.freepokerebook.co.uk

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