playing top pair (or any pair, for that matter)

[stuartharris]

Justin,

A big part of your thinking in playing top pair is to start with the right cards. If you're playing big cards and flopping somewhere in the 15-25% range, your top pair is often good because you have a good kicker. If you have top pair and a J or better kicker, play it fast to try to take the pot . . . don't let people hang around and suck out on you. If you're the pre-flop raiser, bet out. If you're in early position, and the pre-flop raiser is in late position, go for the check-raise.

If you're playing ace-suited and catch your ace with a low kicker and more than one opponent, you're very likely behind. This is a tough situation. I like Lee Jones' line here (waiting to be pelted with rotten vegetables from 2+2'ers). Check in early position. Fold to a bet and call in front of you. If you get to bet immediately after the first bettor, raise . . . then hope it checks through on the turn. If it does, you probably need to call a bet on the river.