Pocket Pairs

Had a home game last Friday and ended up down $14 after being up $13. We start with $20 each and the blinds are $0.10 - $0.20. Doesn't seem like there would be nice pots, but we had some that were over $20. Most pots were in the $1-3 range as there was normally a raise preflop. Lots of pocket pairs that night, I had AA once and KK twice. I took a nice pot when I raised to $4.00 and was reraised to $8.00. I decided to push all in hoping he had QQ, JJ or AK. He quickly called with 22 and my kings held. Still shocked as to why he made that move. I would have only called that with AA or KK and if he was tight only with AA. The next time I had pocket kings, I was cracked by none other than Ax... A8 to be exact. I still am stymied how to properly play kings because I don't want to raise so high as to not get a good pot, but it seems Ax seems to call and normally wins out. From that point on my high pocket pairs have not held up.

Saturday night I was card dead, folding every hand except SB and BB unless raised. Finally I get KK and raise to 5x the big blind. Player to my right who is monster stack calls. Flop is 443 and he checks. I know he caught his 4, but I decide to push all in and am quickly called. He has K4 and the river brings his boat.

Sunday night I was getting great cards, but missing the flop completely. I get AA and raise 5x the blinds and get 4 callers!!! Flop is K73 of hearts and I know somebody called with suited cards. A well known bluffer bets 2000 and I decide to go all in with 5800, get TWO callers as in addition to the initial bettor. I know I am dead. Turn the initial bettor goes all in and gets one caller. River is an ace of HEARTS and the player to my right turns over J8 of hearts!!! and I am done.

Gotta love free poker!!!!