Let’s talk about big pairs. No, not that kind – you’re reading PokerPlayer not Maxim. We’re talking about the premium hands in nolimit Hold’em: A-A, K-K, Q-Q and (perhaps) J-J. In this article, we’ll discuss: how to play big pairs correctly; whether pocket Jacks should be considered a big pair or a medium pair; whether it makes sense to slow-play these monsters.

As you know, big pairs are rare birds. On average, you’ll pick up pocket Aces through Jacks about once every 55 hands. As that’s more than five laps around a full table, you don’t have to worry about them most of the time.