Top pair

Pocket Aces

AA is the preflop favorite against every other starting hand, but one pair is not invulnerable after the flop. Build pots on dry boards and keep the pot smaller when straight, flush, or paired-board combinations become credible.

How to play AA by position and stack size

Recommended action	UTG8-max	UTG18-max	LJ6-max	HJ6-max	CO6-max	BTN6-max	SB6-max
100bb+	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Limp
40-100bb	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Limp
27-40bb	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
20-26bb	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
16-19bb	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
11-15bb	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
7-10bb	Jam	Jam	Jam	Jam	Jam	Jam	Limp
6bb-	Jam	Jam	Jam	Jam	Jam	Jam	Limp

Open when:Every position, with the exact line set by the stack band

AA is present from every opening seat, but the Small Blind can mix open and limp at several depths.

3bet when:For value almost always

Raising denies equity to hands that would otherwise see a flop cheaply and charges weaker pairs and broadways.

Call when:Deep against a strong range

Calling can keep bluffs and dominated pairs in the pot when the stack depth gives that line a clear purpose.

Jam when:The effective stack is short or a value stack-off is clear

An all-in avoids giving drawing hands a cheap card and uses AA's preflop advantage immediately.

Fold when:Only on a very specific later street

Folding preflop is not a practical part of an AA strategy, while a coordinated turn or river can still remove the value of one pair.

Strong against

AK often continues with two overcards, and if a King pairs without making a better hand, it can still pay AA.

AQ often continues with two overcards, and if a Queen pairs without making a better hand, it can still pay AA.

KK is a premium pair that can still pay several bets when it remains in the pot. AA is the stronger value hand in that exchange.

QQ can continue with an overpair and still pay AA before the action becomes too strong.

Weak against

22
22 can call to set-mine. When it hits a concealed set, AA can lose a very large pot before the danger is obvious.

Flop classes

A-high dry

On A♣ 7♥ 2♦, AA flops top set and can use large value sizes when worse Ax and pairs continue.

Paired low

On 8♠ 8♥ 3♠, AA is an overpair to the board, not a set. It can value bet, but 8x and flush draws limit how freely it can inflate the pot.

Dynamic low

On 9♣ 6♦ 4♠, AA remains an overpair while 87, 75, sets, and pair-plus-draw hands have a direct draw or useful pair equity.

Monotone

On T♠ 7♠ 4♠, AA is an overpair facing a made flush when the opponent holds two spades. A spade blocker and the action affect whether betting or checking is best.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets

4-bet for value against almost every 3-bet range. The size should leave worse pairs and bluffs enough room to continue.
Calling can be useful deep when the 3-bettor has many hands that would fold to a 4-bet but will keep betting after a call.
On shallow stacks, raising simplifies the decision and prevents suited hands from realizing their draw equity cheaply.

Versus 4-bets

Continue aggressively against most 4-bet ranges and effective stack depths.
Deep calling can protect a calling range when the opponent still has bluffs and worse value hands, but it should have a postflop plan.
On an Ace-high, monotone, or highly connected flop, reassess the board before building the biggest possible pot with one pair.

Post-flop playability

Value line: When an ace flops, AA has top set and can value bet against Ax, pairs, and draws, while still respecting the range and action.
Control line: On T♠ 9♠ 8♦, AA is only an overpair and must account for straights, sets, two pair, and large draws before betting big.
Common mistake: Treating AA as a hand that must stack off on every flop ignores the difference between an overpair and a set.