Question on domination
 

Q9 for example is dominated by K9 or QT, just as it is dominated by QQ and 99.

But is JJ and TT also said to "dominate" Q9?

Re: Question on domination
 

"But is JJ and TT also said to "dominate" Q9?"

My understanding is that "domination" only exists two hands share one card. So the answer to your question would be no.

I think that the fear and effects of domination are overrated, for several reasons. First, if two hands share a card, that card will hit the board with the same frequency of a flopped set, which isn't often enough for me to keep me from raising with AQ in fear that you will have AK AND that an ace will flop. Second, give me the KJ against your KQ, and despite the domination, I very much like the situation if I am behind you and I was the last preflop raiser. Third, what about my 54 against your 53? Just how dominated do you feel? And at just what card rank should the fear begin?

Tommy

Re: Question on domination
 

I consider there to be 3 stages of Domination, which I like to call "D".

1) Regular D; opponent has 3 outs to win: eg, AK vs AJ, or QQ vs AQ, or AT vs KT

2) Big D; opponent has 2 outs to win: eg, AA vs KK

3) The mother of all D; opponent has 3 outs but must hit twice: eg, AA vs AK.

Your hand example isn't really D (JJ vs Q9) since I think the big concept in D is that one card should make both of your hands, but make yours better. I suppose this doesn't apply to Big D either...but still..how can AA not be dominating KK!

The truth is that it's a semantics question not really worth thinking too much about (it reminds me of a chess discussion about how to define "a combination").

Re: Question on domination
 

In other words, JJ does not dominate Q9. Ok, thanks.

Re: Question on domination
 

I consider dominated to mean 3 outs or less to better hand. In this case (q9 jj) you need a queen to take the lead, so it is domination.

Re: Question on domination
 

If on the other hand the flop is 932, the player with Q9 has got 5 outs to beat JJ, not 3.

Re: Question on domination
 

textbook domination example is AQ vs KQ. (and a Queen flops and you know the rest.)

Re: Question on domination
 

"Domination" describes the case where one hand has three outs or fewer against the other. Q9 has three outs against JJ or TT, so yes, those pairs dominate Q9.

GC

Re: Question on domination
 

I'm with Gus on this one. KK dominates AQ. We just don't talk about it as much.

Re: Question on domination
 

"I'm with Gus on this one. KK dominates AQ."

I think that is faulty usage. Let's look at how the word dominate gets used. "Playing K-J is dangerous in that spot because you might be dominated by KQ, AJ, or AK."

If you were writing that sentence, would you have added QQ to that list? How about AA? Would you ever say, "Playing 9-8 is dangerous because you might be dominated by AA?

Tommy