- Sports Club & League. Poker Tournament. 5OK STARTING STACK. 100/200 Blinds /25m.
- Pocket pairs are frequently referred to specifically by their rank, so that a starting hand of two Aces would be referred to as 'pocket aces' (aka pocket rockets). A starting hand of two kings would be referred to as 'pocket kings' (aka pocket cowboys), and so on.
- Pocket Poker App
- What Is A Pocket Rocket
- Pocket Rockets Poker
- Pocket Rockets Poker Slang
- Poker List Of Cards
For performance enthusiasts on a budget, the 'pocket rocket' – a compact, small-engined runabout tuned to strike a balance between performance and practicality – is manna from motoring heaven. And few nations have made as many of those over the years as Japan. The island nation's automakers turned Americans on to affordable, quality compacts during the energy crisis of the 1970s, and in the 1980s, started turning us on to affordable, quality compacts that were fun to drive.
Pocket pairs are frequently referred to specifically by their rank, so that a starting hand of two Aces would be referred to as 'pocket aces' (aka pocket rockets). A starting hand of two kings would be referred to as 'pocket kings' (aka pocket cowboys), and so on.
But which Japanese pocket rockets had the biggest impact on the enthusiast community? Well, we've tried to narrow that list down to the top 10 contenders for the title of best all time, though we'll stop short of naming a number one, since we're going to be getting enough flack for leaving so-and-so off the following list. Note, too, that we've limited the criteria to fixed-roof cars that have more than two seats and were available new in the U.S.; in other words, no whining about gems like the MR2, Miata, Civic Type R and Pulsar GTi-R not making the cut. Yes, we realize that makes the title more than a little misleading, but making a more accurate one would have made for a long-ass title, wouldn't it? With that out of the way, here are our picks.
Toyota Corolla GT-S
Just as the '32 Ford V8 helped launch the hot rod movement, the AE86-chassis Toyota Corolla played a key role in the foundation of drifting. Toyota's last rear-drive small passenger car (prior to the GT 86/Scion FR-S, of course) didn't get a whole lot of attention when it was new, but today this simple, nimble tail-wagger is highly prized, particularly the top-spec-for-this-market GT-S with its DOHC engine and sport suspension tuning.
Nissan Sentra SE-R
The original Nissan Sentra SE-R (codenamed B13) was, if nothing else, a love letter to the original Datsun 510. The rather harmless looking three-box silhouette, the willing four-cylinder engine, and the eminently chuckable handling demeanor all pointed to the iconic Dime. Sure, it was front-wheel drive where the Datsun was a rear-driver, but with 140hp from the SR20DE and a limited-slip diff, you weren't really bothered by that fact (unless you were hell-bent on powersliding shenanigans, in which case you were out of luck).
Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo AWD
Considering how relatively brief the period Isuzu sold self-badged vehicles in this country was (Various Isuzus were sold as Chevrolets, Geos, Hondas, Acuras and even Opels in the U.S.), it's remarkable how many nifty vehicles it managed to funnel into its dealerships. One that is forgotten by most is the second generation Impulse, specifically the RS Turbo AWD. With a peppy turbo four-banger under the hood, suspension tuning by none other than Lotus (which was owned by GM at the time, as was most of Isuzu), and all four tires clawing at the road, this admittedly wonky-looking coupe was (and is, provided you can find one) capable of some frankly surprising feats.
Mazda 323 GTX
When the FIA decreed that cars contesting the 1988 World Rally Championship would have to meet its Group A homologation criteria, Mazda responded with the 323 GTX. Using the 323 hatchback as a starting point, Mazda engineers fitted an AWD system with a locking center differential, and endowed the standard car's 1.6L SOHC four with a twin-cam, 16-valve head and an intercooled turbocharger, bumping output to 132hp. Couple that with a 2,600 lb. curb weight and you have a fun little gravel-flinger.
Honda Civic Si
While we've never gotten the Civic Type R here in the States, most iterations of the Civic Si have been pretty badass in their own right. But the model really came into its own with the fourth generation EM1 model. This coupe-only job was the first American Si to be fitted with Honda's fabled B-series engine, a DOHC VTEC 1.6L unit yielding 160hp. Naturally, the chassis was also tweaked to improve response. Three generations and tens of thousands of sales later, the Si is still a major player in the sport compact segment.
Toyota Corolla FX16 GT-S
One would be forgiven for assuming that the end of AE86 production marked the end of sporty Corolla production. As it turns out, one would also be wrong, for there's been at least one front-drive Corolla that didn't forget about driving fun. The FX16 GT-S may have had just 108hp from a twin-cam 1.6L four, but it also had a serious fully-independent suspension system (complete with front and rear anti-roll bars), four-wheel disc brakes, and weighed about 2,300 lb. with a 5-speed manual transmission. In short, it was the drunk-as-a-skunk head cheerleader to the new Corolla's narcoleptic nun.
Acura Integra Type R
When boy racers slap the suffix of your high performance models onto anything with four wheels and an engine (No, you're not fooling anyone, Mr. 'FordFestiva Type R' owner.), you know you're doing something right. Such is the case with the Acura Integra Type R, known to the rest of the world as a Honda. The 1.8L VTEC mill screams like a howler monkey with its nads in a vise on its way to the 195hp power peak and 8,400 rpm redline, while the superbly-sorted chassis makes all but the most hopeless pilots look like driving prodigies. Grab an unmolested one before prices go truly cray-cray.
Subaru Impreza WRX
It took some pestering from its American brand loyalists and players of video games like Gran Turismo, but Subaru finally brought the turbocharged Impreza WRX stateside in 2002. And boy, was it worth the wait. The 227hp turbo'd 2.0L flat-four, upgraded suspension and AWD system made for a vehicle capable of slaying cars packing much more muscle and costing much more. Yes, later WRXs are more powerful, but also bigger, heavier and softer-edged than the anime-eyed original.
Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo
Like Isuzu, Mitsubishi got its start in this country by building cars and trucks for another company (in Mitsu's case, Chrysler) to re-badge and sell. But the firm soon began to establish its own identity here, doing so in large parts with sporting machines like the Starion and Eclipse. But there was another speedy Diamond Star that few people remember: The Mirage Turbo. This hatchback-only number (which was also offered as the Dodge Colt GT) packed a beefier suspension, 5-speed manual and a special twin-cam turbo version of the regular Mirage's 1.6L four rated at 135hp. This rare runabout helped pave the way for another compact powerhouse from Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Mazdaspeed3
In many respects, the Mazdaspeed3 is the successor to the 323 GTX. Both are fairly harmless looking hatchbacks hiding brawny turbocharged engines and aggressive chassis tuning. The thrusty 3, however, has some key differences: Five doors instead of three, and FWD instead of AWD, but also 263hp instead of 132. Whether you pick the stealthy first gen or the hood-scooped, Joker-faced second gen, you're guaranteed to have a hoot-and-a-half behind the wheel.
Those Pesky Aces Got you Blue?
There's a question for the ages, in poker terms. The short answer is 'Hah!' but the longer and more careful answer is, 'It depends on the game and conditions.'
Slow-playing a pair of pocket aces, particularly under the gun, is often an invitation to trouble, and as you grow in experience at the game, you will invariably run up against a player who never limps under the gun, always raising if he's going to play – except in the rare case he has pocket aces. The idea, of course, is that he wants someone to raise from late position, so he can come back over the top with a hefty three-bet in an attempt to get lots of chips into the pot before the flop.
Once you encounter this particular breed of player and see this trait, you'll be able to limp behind with pocket queens, toss them away if other action compels you to, and toss them away for cheap after the flop if you don't connect for the set. The lesson: Don't be that type of player, and make your pocket aces so obvious by your position bets.
That said, there are some general rules you can adhere to if that 1-in-229-hand occurrence comes up, and you find yourself staring down at pocket rockets. The general rule is to play them a little bit faster then you might otherwise believe. It's easy to lose a lot of money with aces, perhaps even easier than it is to win a lot of money with them. So with that in mind:
First Rule, Don't Limp
Don't limp with your aces if you are at a soft, passive (often lower-stakes) table that often sees four or five or six players seeing a cheap flop. Pocket aces play very poorly against a large number of competing hands, and even though they're a prohibitive favorite against any other single hand, they can often be a large dog against a collection of other hands. Don't forget it's the trash that connects to the flop that stays around and plays; the trash that misses folds and disappears from the hand. Coordinated flops like 9-10-J are absolute death for pocket aces in a multi-way pot. Throw them away and lick your wounds quietly.
Don't Always 3 Bet
Conversely, don't always make the automatic three-bet in poker with pocket aces before the flop. When holding pocket aces, you want to limit the field, not destroy it. If there's a healthy raise pre-flop by an aggressive player, and your image is loose, go ahead and make the three-bet raise and mix it up at will. But another ploy that works well against tighter, more cautious players is called 'second-hand low'. This is when an early-position player makes a healthy opening raise – perhaps $12 or $15 in a $1/2 cash game, and you just smooth-call from middle position. This gives a late-position player or one of the blinds the opportunity to look at a half-good hand like A-K and make a three-bet squeeze raise, which should have you dancing in your seat. Don't do this too often or become too devoted to other subtle tricks, lest you succumb to 'fancy play syndrome', but the occasional subterfuge will improve your game and profit margin.
About the Pot Odds
Use your pocket aces to deny proper pot odds to your opponents. Whether in cash games or tournaments, a situation often arises where you can size your bets in such a way as to ensure a single opponent does not have the proper odds to continue in the hand, even though he may think he does. Imagine a cash-game scenario, playing something as simple as $1/2, where you and your opponent in a hand both have $120 in chips. He opens to perhaps $10, and you, holding pocket aces here, can go ahead and put in an undersized reraise to perhaps $25 to induce the call. While he is rightly guessing that his $15 call is worth it when there's $38 or more in the pot and your remaining $95 to potentially still be won, you have the knowledge that your aces are between 3.6:1 and 6:1 favorites heads-up before the flop against any other hand.
Pocket Poker App
The likeliest hand to crack pocket aces is 10-9 suited, but the aces will still win 77% of the time. Play your aces just guarded enough against possible sets and flops that make 'ace-cracker' hands work, but most of the time, following up with a sizeable post-flop bet is again the odds-on play. Often, your opponent will flop a flush or straight draw, and you must make it unprofitable for him to pursue that draw – even though many players can't resist the temptation and will call against the odds anyway. These players are your long-term victims, even if they are paradoxically the ones most likely to crack your aces in any given hand. Such is the nature of poker. We always remember the aces we lose with, but rarely the ones we win with!
Aces and Drawing Hands, The Crackers
What Is A Pocket Rocket
- Sports Club & League. Poker Tournament. 5OK STARTING STACK. 100/200 Blinds /25m.
- Pocket pairs are frequently referred to specifically by their rank, so that a starting hand of two Aces would be referred to as 'pocket aces' (aka pocket rockets). A starting hand of two kings would be referred to as 'pocket kings' (aka pocket cowboys), and so on.
- Pocket Poker App
- What Is A Pocket Rocket
- Pocket Rockets Poker
- Pocket Rockets Poker Slang
- Poker List Of Cards
For performance enthusiasts on a budget, the 'pocket rocket' – a compact, small-engined runabout tuned to strike a balance between performance and practicality – is manna from motoring heaven. And few nations have made as many of those over the years as Japan. The island nation's automakers turned Americans on to affordable, quality compacts during the energy crisis of the 1970s, and in the 1980s, started turning us on to affordable, quality compacts that were fun to drive.
Pocket pairs are frequently referred to specifically by their rank, so that a starting hand of two Aces would be referred to as 'pocket aces' (aka pocket rockets). A starting hand of two kings would be referred to as 'pocket kings' (aka pocket cowboys), and so on.
But which Japanese pocket rockets had the biggest impact on the enthusiast community? Well, we've tried to narrow that list down to the top 10 contenders for the title of best all time, though we'll stop short of naming a number one, since we're going to be getting enough flack for leaving so-and-so off the following list. Note, too, that we've limited the criteria to fixed-roof cars that have more than two seats and were available new in the U.S.; in other words, no whining about gems like the MR2, Miata, Civic Type R and Pulsar GTi-R not making the cut. Yes, we realize that makes the title more than a little misleading, but making a more accurate one would have made for a long-ass title, wouldn't it? With that out of the way, here are our picks.
Toyota Corolla GT-S
Just as the '32 Ford V8 helped launch the hot rod movement, the AE86-chassis Toyota Corolla played a key role in the foundation of drifting. Toyota's last rear-drive small passenger car (prior to the GT 86/Scion FR-S, of course) didn't get a whole lot of attention when it was new, but today this simple, nimble tail-wagger is highly prized, particularly the top-spec-for-this-market GT-S with its DOHC engine and sport suspension tuning.
Nissan Sentra SE-R
The original Nissan Sentra SE-R (codenamed B13) was, if nothing else, a love letter to the original Datsun 510. The rather harmless looking three-box silhouette, the willing four-cylinder engine, and the eminently chuckable handling demeanor all pointed to the iconic Dime. Sure, it was front-wheel drive where the Datsun was a rear-driver, but with 140hp from the SR20DE and a limited-slip diff, you weren't really bothered by that fact (unless you were hell-bent on powersliding shenanigans, in which case you were out of luck).
Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo AWD
Considering how relatively brief the period Isuzu sold self-badged vehicles in this country was (Various Isuzus were sold as Chevrolets, Geos, Hondas, Acuras and even Opels in the U.S.), it's remarkable how many nifty vehicles it managed to funnel into its dealerships. One that is forgotten by most is the second generation Impulse, specifically the RS Turbo AWD. With a peppy turbo four-banger under the hood, suspension tuning by none other than Lotus (which was owned by GM at the time, as was most of Isuzu), and all four tires clawing at the road, this admittedly wonky-looking coupe was (and is, provided you can find one) capable of some frankly surprising feats.
Mazda 323 GTX
When the FIA decreed that cars contesting the 1988 World Rally Championship would have to meet its Group A homologation criteria, Mazda responded with the 323 GTX. Using the 323 hatchback as a starting point, Mazda engineers fitted an AWD system with a locking center differential, and endowed the standard car's 1.6L SOHC four with a twin-cam, 16-valve head and an intercooled turbocharger, bumping output to 132hp. Couple that with a 2,600 lb. curb weight and you have a fun little gravel-flinger.
Honda Civic Si
While we've never gotten the Civic Type R here in the States, most iterations of the Civic Si have been pretty badass in their own right. But the model really came into its own with the fourth generation EM1 model. This coupe-only job was the first American Si to be fitted with Honda's fabled B-series engine, a DOHC VTEC 1.6L unit yielding 160hp. Naturally, the chassis was also tweaked to improve response. Three generations and tens of thousands of sales later, the Si is still a major player in the sport compact segment.
Toyota Corolla FX16 GT-S
One would be forgiven for assuming that the end of AE86 production marked the end of sporty Corolla production. As it turns out, one would also be wrong, for there's been at least one front-drive Corolla that didn't forget about driving fun. The FX16 GT-S may have had just 108hp from a twin-cam 1.6L four, but it also had a serious fully-independent suspension system (complete with front and rear anti-roll bars), four-wheel disc brakes, and weighed about 2,300 lb. with a 5-speed manual transmission. In short, it was the drunk-as-a-skunk head cheerleader to the new Corolla's narcoleptic nun.
Acura Integra Type R
When boy racers slap the suffix of your high performance models onto anything with four wheels and an engine (No, you're not fooling anyone, Mr. 'FordFestiva Type R' owner.), you know you're doing something right. Such is the case with the Acura Integra Type R, known to the rest of the world as a Honda. The 1.8L VTEC mill screams like a howler monkey with its nads in a vise on its way to the 195hp power peak and 8,400 rpm redline, while the superbly-sorted chassis makes all but the most hopeless pilots look like driving prodigies. Grab an unmolested one before prices go truly cray-cray.
Subaru Impreza WRX
It took some pestering from its American brand loyalists and players of video games like Gran Turismo, but Subaru finally brought the turbocharged Impreza WRX stateside in 2002. And boy, was it worth the wait. The 227hp turbo'd 2.0L flat-four, upgraded suspension and AWD system made for a vehicle capable of slaying cars packing much more muscle and costing much more. Yes, later WRXs are more powerful, but also bigger, heavier and softer-edged than the anime-eyed original.
Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo
Like Isuzu, Mitsubishi got its start in this country by building cars and trucks for another company (in Mitsu's case, Chrysler) to re-badge and sell. But the firm soon began to establish its own identity here, doing so in large parts with sporting machines like the Starion and Eclipse. But there was another speedy Diamond Star that few people remember: The Mirage Turbo. This hatchback-only number (which was also offered as the Dodge Colt GT) packed a beefier suspension, 5-speed manual and a special twin-cam turbo version of the regular Mirage's 1.6L four rated at 135hp. This rare runabout helped pave the way for another compact powerhouse from Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Mazdaspeed3
In many respects, the Mazdaspeed3 is the successor to the 323 GTX. Both are fairly harmless looking hatchbacks hiding brawny turbocharged engines and aggressive chassis tuning. The thrusty 3, however, has some key differences: Five doors instead of three, and FWD instead of AWD, but also 263hp instead of 132. Whether you pick the stealthy first gen or the hood-scooped, Joker-faced second gen, you're guaranteed to have a hoot-and-a-half behind the wheel.
Those Pesky Aces Got you Blue?
There's a question for the ages, in poker terms. The short answer is 'Hah!' but the longer and more careful answer is, 'It depends on the game and conditions.'
Slow-playing a pair of pocket aces, particularly under the gun, is often an invitation to trouble, and as you grow in experience at the game, you will invariably run up against a player who never limps under the gun, always raising if he's going to play – except in the rare case he has pocket aces. The idea, of course, is that he wants someone to raise from late position, so he can come back over the top with a hefty three-bet in an attempt to get lots of chips into the pot before the flop.
Once you encounter this particular breed of player and see this trait, you'll be able to limp behind with pocket queens, toss them away if other action compels you to, and toss them away for cheap after the flop if you don't connect for the set. The lesson: Don't be that type of player, and make your pocket aces so obvious by your position bets.
That said, there are some general rules you can adhere to if that 1-in-229-hand occurrence comes up, and you find yourself staring down at pocket rockets. The general rule is to play them a little bit faster then you might otherwise believe. It's easy to lose a lot of money with aces, perhaps even easier than it is to win a lot of money with them. So with that in mind:
First Rule, Don't Limp
Don't limp with your aces if you are at a soft, passive (often lower-stakes) table that often sees four or five or six players seeing a cheap flop. Pocket aces play very poorly against a large number of competing hands, and even though they're a prohibitive favorite against any other single hand, they can often be a large dog against a collection of other hands. Don't forget it's the trash that connects to the flop that stays around and plays; the trash that misses folds and disappears from the hand. Coordinated flops like 9-10-J are absolute death for pocket aces in a multi-way pot. Throw them away and lick your wounds quietly.
Don't Always 3 Bet
Conversely, don't always make the automatic three-bet in poker with pocket aces before the flop. When holding pocket aces, you want to limit the field, not destroy it. If there's a healthy raise pre-flop by an aggressive player, and your image is loose, go ahead and make the three-bet raise and mix it up at will. But another ploy that works well against tighter, more cautious players is called 'second-hand low'. This is when an early-position player makes a healthy opening raise – perhaps $12 or $15 in a $1/2 cash game, and you just smooth-call from middle position. This gives a late-position player or one of the blinds the opportunity to look at a half-good hand like A-K and make a three-bet squeeze raise, which should have you dancing in your seat. Don't do this too often or become too devoted to other subtle tricks, lest you succumb to 'fancy play syndrome', but the occasional subterfuge will improve your game and profit margin.
About the Pot Odds
Use your pocket aces to deny proper pot odds to your opponents. Whether in cash games or tournaments, a situation often arises where you can size your bets in such a way as to ensure a single opponent does not have the proper odds to continue in the hand, even though he may think he does. Imagine a cash-game scenario, playing something as simple as $1/2, where you and your opponent in a hand both have $120 in chips. He opens to perhaps $10, and you, holding pocket aces here, can go ahead and put in an undersized reraise to perhaps $25 to induce the call. While he is rightly guessing that his $15 call is worth it when there's $38 or more in the pot and your remaining $95 to potentially still be won, you have the knowledge that your aces are between 3.6:1 and 6:1 favorites heads-up before the flop against any other hand.
Pocket Poker App
The likeliest hand to crack pocket aces is 10-9 suited, but the aces will still win 77% of the time. Play your aces just guarded enough against possible sets and flops that make 'ace-cracker' hands work, but most of the time, following up with a sizeable post-flop bet is again the odds-on play. Often, your opponent will flop a flush or straight draw, and you must make it unprofitable for him to pursue that draw – even though many players can't resist the temptation and will call against the odds anyway. These players are your long-term victims, even if they are paradoxically the ones most likely to crack your aces in any given hand. Such is the nature of poker. We always remember the aces we lose with, but rarely the ones we win with!
Aces and Drawing Hands, The Crackers
What Is A Pocket Rocket
Beware drawing hands in deep-stack situations. A corollary to the above. No matter how pretty your pocket aces look, pocket aces don't beat straights and flushes. You must drive drawing hands out of the hand, and the only way to do that is to protect your aces with a large bet. Pre-flop that means limiting the field; post-flop that means putting in raises of at least three-quarters of the pot on each round to make sure your opponent doesn't have the right pot odds to chase those eight- and nine-outers.
Hitting a Set of Aces
Pocket Rockets Poker
If you've flopped a set of aces, there is always a potential straight draw. This might sound odd, but a set of kings is often a far safer hand to slow-play after the flop than is a set of aces. Imagine yourself with a pair of pocket aces, and envision a flop of any three non-paired cards that include an ace. No matter what the other two non-ace cards are, if you let your opponents see the turn for free, a turn card that doesn't pair the board will always put some sort of straight in play. It might be a highly unlikely holding, such as the big blind holding 4-7 and the board through the turn showing A-5-J-8, but if you've let this player see all these cards for free and a 6 comes off on the river (roughly a 1-in-11 chance), you've only yourself to blame. You have to charge them something for the dream of making that hand.
Pocket Rockets Poker Slang
No worthy bad beat story ever started with, 'I limped with pocket aces….' Enough said.
Poker List Of Cards
Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
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