Imagine the scenario. You're playing Texas hold'em poker in a

single table sit-and-go tournament. It's getting towards the

latter stages, five players are left and you can smell an

in-the-money finish. But you need to get in to the top three and

stay there - while your chip stack would be nice if it was

bigger. The blinds are becoming significant and you know you'll

have to make your move soon.

Out come the cards - miracles of miracles, you look down at your

cards and see the magic AA looking back at you. Now, surely this

means it's you right to win the hand. Announce "I'm all-in" and

become the chip leader.

Now, under most circumstances there's no doubt that you should

either push in a tasty raise or even all-in with those big aces.

Although remarkable as it may seem, there are times to fold

those "pocket rockets" and not see a flop. It takes discipline

to do and is all about risk versus reward.

If you're playing single table sit and go tournaments you must

finish in the first three to get a return on your entry fee. We

all know that the great starting hands don't come along too

often and when they do, a lot of players become married to the

hand and can't put it down under any circumstances.

The savy player knows when to fold. And that includes folding AA

pre-flop.

Here's when to consider very carefully when to muck those aces

before the flop.

Back to the scenario. Five players left, you're in fourth place

with those Aces screaming at you to push your chips in. But you

have the advantage being in last position to act. Two players

with bigger stacks than you throw enough chips in the pot to

force you all-in if you decide to play. And now the small stack

in fifth place takes his chances and goes all-in.

The action is now on you. The urge to splash your chips in to

the middle is irresistible. But before you do - this about it

for a moment. As things stand, you can fold your aces now with

the chance of moving in to third place and a money finish

without risk.

If the player in the hand with the biggest stack wins it, he'll

take out the other two with smaller stacks and you instantly get

bumped up to third place and guaranteed money without. And

without risking any of your chips which you still have to fight

with.

Risk = zero. Reward = third place at least and a guaranteed

prize money.

That's when to fold anything pre-flop, not just aces. Throw

anything away at any stage if it means you can move in to the

money without risk.