I have top pair, I call.

[gasoltub]

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What if we change this to having aces, instead of queens? Does the concept of protecting your hand kick in at that point, and you raise to knock out the people who aren't on a flush draw?


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No, raising to protect is what you do when you have a good but vulnerable hand AND the raise will give many draws incorrect odds.
A pair of queens is in more need of protection than a pair of aces since no overcard can come to an ace.
So a raise would most often protect you from people with overcards or drawing to two pair and gut shots.