Best way to play pocket queens?

what stakes are you playing? i play low stakes at ps (5.50) and over time QQ holds up, even though you run into some variance. I like getting my money in the pot under most circumstances with queens.

As a general rule if I can get QQ AI PF I'm happy. Exceptions are very early.

Exceptions are very early

I don't really get this. Only time i'm not happy about going AI pre flop with Queens is if about three people have already pushed and this never happens.

Its not always right, but if say someone pushes PF and someone calls ahead of me in the first two sets of blinds, I would fold QQ. At least you're up against an AK, and possibly a KK, AA hand. Now there are times I fold and they flip AJ and 99, but it seems so often those 50xBB pushes are a premium hand hoping to get called.

I saw this a lot more in the $1.20s than the $6.50s though.

I play mostly 10 +1s, though I've cashed out some recently and moved down to 5.50s till i build a bigger roll up again. I guess it's variance but I am not excited about getting QQ anymore, as I've been at best flipping for stacks preflop. Does cold calling preflop and pushing any non AK flop seem like a better way to play rather than putting it all in pre? I'm inclined to try this strategy because I've been burned so many times, but I'm interested in other's opinions on here.

Post some specific hands, these are often quite read and situation dependent. That said, I'm usually happy to get it AI PF with QQ since the times you run into AA or KK (remember you're a slight favourite against AK so have to call if there are dead chips in the pot) are outweighed by the times they show you something that you're well ahead of.

I think you've hit some bad variance. Ask yourself what the chances are that say 50% of the time you get dealt QQ someone has a hand that dominates or flips with yours? It just doesnt happen. For every raise with AK, theres raises with A9-AQ which you destroy.

Sounds like you've had a bad run with people hitting their 3 outers, and that does suck. I think most of us have been through runs where we get it AI with 70% advantage and somehow villian always sucks out. I dont think the right answer is to play your big hands slower though. Statistically variance should kick back your way soon ; ).

heres a hand from a MTT... i know its a different format but an example of what i've been running into lately with QQ

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t20 (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP3 (t1120)
Hero (t1500)
Button (t1480)
SB (t1660)
BB (t1500)
UTG (t1910)
UTG+1 (t1500)
MP1 (t1500)
MP2 (t1360)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q, Q.
UTG calls t20, 2 folds, MP2 calls t20, 1 fold, Hero raises to t100, 3 folds, UTG calls t80, MP2 calls t80.

Flop: (t330) 8, A, 2 (3 players)
UTG bets t220, MP2 folds, Hero folds.

Final Pot: t330

Originally Posted by gordo426

heres a hand from a MTT... i know its a different format but an example of what i've been running into lately with QQ

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t20 (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP3 (t1120)
Hero (t1500)
Button (t1480)
SB (t1660)
BB (t1500)
UTG (t1910)
UTG+1 (t1500)
MP1 (t1500)
MP2 (t1360)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q, Q.
UTG calls t20, 2 folds, MP2 calls t20, 1 fold, Hero raises to t100, 3 folds, UTG calls t80, MP2 calls t80.

Flop: (t330) 8, A, 2 (3 players)
UTG bets t220, MP2 folds, Hero folds.

Final Pot: t330

Looks absolutely fine to me. With two callers of your preflop raise there is a very very good chance that one of them has Ax.

You played that hand fine. Your raise pre-flop was the right amount and UTG was obviously protecting his Ace against a flush draw. I would have folded in that spot 10 times out of 10.

With QQ you usually want to build a pot preflop and get to HU