Playing Aces in Fixed Limit Texas Hold'em

Aces are the best starting hand you can be dealt in Texas holdem online. This hand fills the typical player with either joy, dread or some combination of the two. The player knows that he currently holds the best hand, but he also knows it will be very difficult for him to get away from the hand if he is beaten. Due to this, many no-limit Texas hold’em players like to try to get all their chips in with aces before the flop.
Unfortunately, in limit Texas holdem, this is not an option.

Playing Aces before the Flop in Fixed-Limit Hold’em

You are almost always going to want to raise with one of these hands before the flop if the pot has already been raised and re-raised. There is minimal value in slow playing these hands before the flop. In most cases, the only hands that you will keep in by slow playing that will give you action after the flop are hands that have flopped cards to beat you. Big pairs play better against fewer opponents and it is unlikely your raise will get an inferior hand that will give you action after the flop to fold.

Playing Aces After the Flop in Fixed-Limit Hold’em

How you proceed after the flop will depend on the texture of the flop.


A paired board isn’t necessarily a threat if you raised before the flop unless the pair is a big one. For example, a flop of 8 8 5 is not a flop your aces should be afraid of, but a flop of K K 5 is. In fact, boards like K K 5 or Q Q 3 probably mean you should check and consider folding to a bet. Other scary flops where you may want to abandon the hand are flops with three of a suit that you do not have or even suited connected boards like Js Ts 9d. Also keep in mind that fixed-limit hold’em is a game of big cards, meaning if there are two big cards on the flop like J T or K Q, then two pair or a big straight draw is a real possibility. If there are three big cards on the board, you should proceed with extreme caution.

Playing Aces on the River in Fixed-Limit Hold’em

If you’ve been betting the whole way, throw in that last bet on the river and are raised, you are probably sunk. However, at this point the pot will be so large that you will often be compelled to call. You are often getting better than 10-to-1 odds in this spot, meaning that even if your opponent will have a real hand 90 percent of the time that he makes this play it is mathematically correct to call. Your best defense is to keep your eyes open throughout the hand for signs that your aces are beaten so that you have minimized the damage before you reach the river.