[lork]

It seems everytime i raise with 1 of these hands I get called and flop 1 or 2 over cards and I have no idea how to play it. I try to follow up my preflop betting with a bet but it seems like someone always smooth calls or raises me and then i have no idea what to do. These hands are losing me alot of money. If im average stack and I make a bet at a raised pot and get reraised and have to let my hand go it drops me down to a shortstack where I dont have much to play with.

[chris]

Unfortunately, this there is no magic solution to this problem. Generally, if there are two overcards, it's best to muck. If there is only one, I bet out hard representing a big pair. If someone raises, I'm usually beat-unless I smell the guy's on a draw. This is where reading skills are CRITICAL. Generally, if's it's a loose-aggressive, you can call to the river if the board doesnt look too scary and the betting pressure isnt too high. Now, if it's a rock or loose-passive, fughedaboutit!! muck your hand man!

[johnf]

Those hands you don't have top play the same all the time.. some time the way you are playing may be the correct move. Depending on the table and the reads you have gotten on those players.Mix it up limp once or twice and see if you hit anything. Also it soundslike you may be playing over what your stack will allow. Wait until you have a nice stack before you start raiseing and reraiseing with those hands.. Sometimes i will play JJ like 22 not often but sometimes.. And whjen you hit a set with hands like these your return is much greater than picking up the small pots..

[ballen]

It sounds like you are playing at tables which will generally call any raise with two big cards.

So, you have two choices:

1) you raise pre-flop with your middle pp. If the flop is low, you can raise all-in knowing that they only have over-cards. If the flop comes with A, Q, or K on it, then you'll have to muck if it's multi-way.

2) You treat them like small pairs. Limp/call small raise and wait to hit a set. If you have JJ, and flop comes A, J, and 5, be ready for payday, cuz AK isn't going anywhere.

[razor]

How about just folding them unless your late and can see the flop cheap? I don't see what everyone gets sp giddy about 9,10s for. It is NOT that strong of a hand and any flop with overcards will be ahead of you. You need a great straight/flush draw flop or you should bail, IMO.

I'd play them very carefully. Of course, those who disagree can go ahead and raise me with them at my table....I'll be more than happy to take the extra money with my overcard-pair.