Fishhooks

Fishhooks is a popular term in poker, referring specifically to a pair of jacks (J-J). The term is derived from the visual similarity between the letter 'J' and a fishhook.

What are Fishhooks in Poker?

In the game of poker, various terms and slang are used to refer to certain hands and situations. One such term is "Fishhooks". A pair of jacks (J-J) is often referred to as "Fishhooks" because the letter 'J' resembles a fishhook. This term is used universally across all poker variants, be it online or live, in both tournaments and cash games.

Importance of Fishhooks

Understanding the term "Fishhooks" is crucial for both beginners and advanced poker players. In terms of hand ranking, a pair of jacks is considered a strong hand, but it requires careful play as it can be easily beaten by higher pairs or straights. Its strength significantly reduces in games like Omaha, compared with Hold'em, with opponents holding four cards, giving them a greater opportunity to beat the pair. What's more, even hitting a set might not be good as there are more opportunities for straights and flushes.

Example of "Fishhooks"

Let's consider a situation where you are dealt a pair of jacks or 'Fishhooks'. The flop comes and it's 10, 9, 2. Now, while your pair of jacks is a strong hand, there's a potential for an opponent to have a straight if they hold Q-K. This is where the skill of poker comes in, knowing when to play your 'Fishhooks' aggressively and when to fold them.

• "I was dealt Fishhooks and won the pot after the flop showed a 10, 9 and 2."
• "She played her Fishhooks cautiously as there was a potential straight on the table."
• "With Fishhooks in hand, he decided to raise before the flop."