Playing Pocket Kings… Before and After the Flop

A pair of Kings is the 2nd strongest starting hand in No-Limit Holdem poker. Since the chances of any opponent having a better hand is so small, kings should be played as if they are the best hand under normal circumstances. This article looks at the optimal play for pocket kings both before and after the flop – and highlights some of the pitfalls which newer player often fall into.

We start by explaining why you should assume that kings are the best hand before the flop – by looking at the chances of an opponent holding aces. Next we look at the ideal situation for kings, a big pre-flop pot with a single opponent. Finally those times when you should slow down with your kings are examined – including multiple opponents and dangerous flops.
If you are dealt a pair of kings before the flop the chances of any single opponent holding pocket aces is approximately 221/1. Even in first position at a full table you will run into a pair of aces only once every 24 times. This means that you will be correct in playing those kings as if it were the best hand often enough to make this the default play. If you run into aces then that is just a cold deck!

Playing your pocket kings strongly before the flop, by raising and re-raising will avoid the one situation which is very bad for this pair. Several opponents and an ace on the flop. Many players like to play ace-x hands before the flop and may well over-play these same hands when they hit top pair with a weak kicker. Avoid this situation by raising strongly, limping with kings could result in the terrible combination of many opponents and an over-card on the flop.

Against the range of hands that opponents are likely to build a big pot with before the flop pocket kings are a healthy favorite. Against a pair of Queens your hand will be more than 80% to win, against a hand such as A-Q or A-J you are more than 70%. These are the edges that keep poker players profitable.
An ace flopping will not always mean your kings are beaten when playing against a single opponent. There are many hands including lower pairs and suited connectors that your opponent could be playing. A standard continuation bet is the best way to find out where you stand in the hand – this is particularly powerful if you took the lead in the betting before the flop.
Playing kings against multiple opponents may be dangerous even when no ace comes on the flop. This will largely depend on the texture of the flop. If there are many draws available – for example 7-9-10 and 2 of one suit – then you must avoid giving free cards that may allow your opponents to outdraw you (or bluff representing the hand that you fear). Multiple opponents will also vastly increase the danger should an ace flop. If this happens and you see a bet and a raise ahead of you then folding those kings may be a prudent option.

To summarize, when you are dealt pocket kings this will be the best hand more often than not and should be played strongly to achieve the best long-term profits. Raising to limit the number of opponents is ideal – kings are a strong favorite against many hands that will call large re-raises before the flop. Caution should be exercised after the flop when facing multiple opponents – especially on draw-heavy flops or when an ace does show.