In no limit hold’em pocket queens game are always a very strong hand pre-flop, but there are many cards that could hit on the flop and quickly turn queens into the second best. Pocket queens are usually the best hand prior to the flop, but the types of hands that opponents are expected to play makes the queens very vulnerable after the flop. A lot of players like to play hands with aces or kings, which puts the queens in a lot of danger the flop comes in your opponents favor. For this reason you should lift aggressively with your queens pre-flop to try to eliminate as many opponents as possible, hopefully isolating one opponent. If you have the chance pre-flop you should definitely re-raise, as you will still likely have the best hand and this will be an even further deterrent for other players with mediocre aces or kings to enter the pot.
The best scenario on the flop would be beating a set. In this case you are about guaranteed to have the best hand. However, this is very unlikely so we won’t look at it too a lot. Instead let’s look at a much more likely situation that is also very beneficial to pocket queens. This could be if the flop came and the pocket queens was an over pair. In this case it is very likely that you have the best hand because it would be a very odd play for your opponent to flat call a raise with aces or kings pre-flop.
On the other hand if an ace or king comes on the flop there is a possibility that your queens are no longer good. If you are first to act it is most likely good to put in a continuation bet because if your opponent did miss the flop and maybe has the king when an ace hit the flop you will likely win the pot right there because your opponent could easily put you on the ace. The problem comes when you put in this continuation bet and you are re-raised by your opponent or if your opponent makes a big raise when he is first to act. In these situations the right play would likely be to crinkle. When you have the chance you should be betting the pocket queens no matter what hits on the flop because the majority of the time they will still be good.
In conclusion pocket queens are a very strong hand in no limit hold’em particularly pre-flop. You should insistently raise your queens pre-flop as this will help eliminate weak aces and kings, both of which could hurt you after the flop. Also, by raising pre-flop you are able to signify an ace if one does hit the flop and hopefully pick up the pot right then. If you are raised or re-raised on an ace high or king high flop it is frequently the right move to fold. It is important to remember that even though pocket queens are a very strong hand in no limit hold’em they are also quite easy to draw out on and you should be willing to lay them down when you feel you are beat.