When most players have pocket jacks in late position, they’re willing to at least make a call. And why not since pocket jacks is one of the best hands you can have before the flop is turned over. But there are times when this decision doesn’t turn out to be the best one as a raise, and re-raise hit the table.
Once the raiser and re-raiser have made their move, the action comes around to the player who is holding pocket jacks who must then decide whether or not it’s a good decision to call. Those who simply muck their hand understand the gap concept, while those who would call in this situation don’t understand it.
Any player who makes a call in this case is almost assuredly going to be facing pocket kings and/or pocket aces. So it’s definitely a good idea not to make the call if you are the player sitting in early position. As to the reason why, let’s take a more in-depth look at the gap concept.
Assuming the re-raiser in the aforementioned example is competent, they’d have to hold a really good hand to risk 3-betting. After all, if there are one or two raises in front of you, it would be foolish to make another raise with a second rate hand. So if you’re the person who is holding pocket jacks, you’ve really got to beware of the player who 3-betted.
Sure you could call in this instance and assume that the 3-bettor is trying to be overly-aggressive, however, this is a risk that’s not worth taking. More times than not, the player who 3-bet is going to have some excellent cards; even the initial raiser could be holding a hand that’s better than pocket jacks. Now you have two players who are potentially holding better cards so, provided you know the gap concept, your best option is to fold.
Any player who makes a call in this case is almost assuredly going to be facing pocket kings and/or pocket aces.
Let’s expand this a bit. When an Ace King or Queen hit the flop, you are very likely to be up against AK, AQ and KQ suited. If a 10 is the highest card on the flop, expect someone to hold A10 or K10 suited. Both of which hold an overcard. Then you have to pray no more overcards hit the board, and hope that ten doesn’t pair (because they WILL call if you decide to push on the flop.
Preflop if you have Js the range your opponent/s have is say AQ+, Qs+ and maybe KQs. That’s the range a solidish player would have if they’re 3betting an early position raise. So how in the world do you get AT and KT? The 3bettor is 3betting an early position raise. A solid player is never 3betting an early position raise with KTs with players still to act behind him. Wow, you want to call a shove on a Thigh flop with Js? Like what for instance? a T 9 8 two-tone flop?
The original poster mentioned competent players as the villains in front of you.
I would love to know how you reached the conclusion of the 3bettor having KTs or even ATs. Also, if he’s talking about a full ring table then the 3bet definitely leans towards Qs+.