How to play KQ?

redlude2k

When I play 1/2 NL ring games....

I have mixed feelings about KQ.

I have friends who say raise KQ, but I like to limp and will be willing to call with it depending on the value and position.

The problem I find with betting it, is that i dont know if i'm betting into monsters (but i'd only bump to $7 with 1/2 blinds). If someone reraises a significant amount then I fold.

In late position, i will usually call up to $12 if there are weak or a few callers.

I'd like to hear your thoughts

DrTyore

In my opinion....

KQ is my biggest money losing hand. So I started changing the way I play it. I will raise with this hand almost every time so that I can find out who's out there that can scare me. If I"m in late position, more's the better since I can then (hopefully) get position. If I'm in mid or early, I'd probably raise again just to make sure I could guarantee someone had an ace. However, if someone's raising into me... I can usually let this go if they're offsuited. If they're suited, I think that I could call (or call if it's a small raise where I don't see them raising a little bit with AK / AQ)

Basically if you hit the flop, depending on which one you hit, you're only afraid of AA, AK, or AQ. KQ in my opinion requires a TREMENDOUS amount of discipline to play correctly. You have to be willing to drop it on a board of Q-J-A, or A-K-x... and some people just lose the ability to fold a pair.

Mark

redlude2k

I'm pretty good at folding to a bet with an over card on flop. I just dont want to bet $7 and have AK or AQ flat call, cause if I hit that K or Q, I think I'm good (cause i think AK or AQ would have raised prefop). Just a dificult hand to play. I sometimes limp on AK, AQ, AJ and will fire out if I hit top pair (will fold if i get raised a large amount in case they hit 2 pairs)

DrTyore

Which is why I need to be raising with KQ...

If someone has an A-K / A-Q, they're likely to re-raise or at least call, this means that I"m on "cautious" mode, and wont' go broke. If someone hits a Q with an A (most lilely just to smooth call in my opinion), well, I'm in trouble. However, the other danger is as you said someone hitting two pair or a set. In this case, I just have to go with my read on the guy / betting history.

Mark

CoolHandWray

On the flip side of KQ, if I see a player will raise with KQ (among other hands). I will just flat call with hands such as AK and AQ, for the exact reason you pointed out, if you hit your K or Q , KQ looks like a strong hand. And usually the player raising with KQ will bet strong after they hit the flop, and Ak or AQ will take down the pot.

I play KQ limped in. In a raised pot, I am looking at its straight possibilities and two pair as on the only real strong flops that I can continue with this hand.

KQ can be a "chip burner" if played in raised pots, because you are likely losing to most of the other hands, any Ace, or any pair has you beat. Even when you hit the board, its tough to play aggressively when you are likely out kicked.

Zithal

KQ is one of those hands that seems to get me trouble a lot. I've counted three tournaments at my place where that's been the bust out hand.

How I play it usually depends on what my M's like.

If it's high and the cards are suited, I don't mind getting in cheaply to try and get a straight or flush. I'm slowly learning to play it cautiously when I flop top pair.

As my M lower, I throw it away more as it get me in trouble and I'm no longer getting the implied odds of a deep stack.

It'll come back in as my M hits the orange and red zone as I'd rather risk my tournament with that, rather that Ace-junk as they'll more often be live as opposed to dominated.

KRNL

In a 1/2 ring game? Make your standard raise in anything past LEP. Fold otherwise. Make the obvious exceptions based upon the table, your image &c. Do not limp with this hand at a 1/2 game, especially with the intention of calling. I cannot conceive that as a winning strategy. Calling with KQ is situational. With 3+ players I generally like to call with position looking to hit two pair or the straight. But don't be afraid to bet TP at a loose-passive table. At B&M games your hand is good more often than it isn't. And you should be able to tell when it isn't. On-line you need to be more cautious, but you still get a enough profit from loose players with K-10 and Q-J to offset those times you bet into AK.

Wolffhound

I was going to ask this same question related to NL Cash games the other day.
Whoring on Empire I play the 25NL tables. Blinds are .10/.25, the games are ridiculously tight/passive.
Not great games, but, they rake .05 at a 1.00 so you can get your hands in, and I have made money at them, so, i'm playing them.

So...tight table, most pre-flop raises get folded around to the OR. You are in the CO with KQd. UTG+2 makes it a 1.00
folded to you in the CO. You are almost 75% sure that the SB and BB will fold. Do you fold? You are putting 1.00 into a pot of 1.35. Is KQ that good? Or that bad? Suited matter?

DrTyore

The table you describe, coupled with the guy's position (early), I would have to lean towards folding... he probably has either AA, AK, or KK, maybe AQ / QQ.

Either way, if it's as tight as you say, he's probably got one of your cards, if not two. If they were suited, I would consider calling, but you need to hit the board hard, or you're out.... I would probably fold to a significant post-flop bet on a board of Q-9-2 rainbow for example.

Mark

STR82ACE

I've had my fair share of disappointing hands with KQ as well. Like it's been said earlier, it needs alot of help. If I can get in to see flop cheap enough, I'll play to see if the flop is kind to me, otherwise, I have learned to drop it quickly (unless I have a read from a weak opponent, then I might try to bluff my way through it).

One of the toughest things I have learned to do is muck hands like KQ, KJ, QJ, AJ, and the like. They fall into my definition of being DUMB BLONDE hands....looks great, but can be quite disappointing.

Dave Scharf

First in with KQ I raise and go from there.

In no-limit I do not call raises with KQo under most circumstances.

And, release on the flop if required. No problem.