Poker Play – Knowing Good and Great Starting Hands
Selection of starting hands is a poker strategy that every single player should be aware of. Like everything when playing poker, starting hand selection has much to do with the current table situation you are in.
There are 10 hands that should be played no matter what position you are in. These hands are 2 Aces, 2 Kings, 2 Queens, 2 Jacks, AK, AQ, AJ, KJ, and Ace 10. The last two of these hands may be a little risky if you are in an early position, but if you are not being aggressive at the table these are hands that should be played early. For beginning poker players these hands mentioned should be played at all times. For more experienced poker players there are other hands that can be put on the list, but it will depend on the situation they are currently in at the table.
Hands that can be played at all positions are suited connectors. This is the case if you believe you will not be raised after you play. It is not a good idea to call a big raise with a suited connector, as you will be way behind the 8-ball by any big pair you see. If it is the case that you make a call on the blinds and then your raise is too big, you will give away your call and you did not see the flop. This is basically giving your chips away. Playing against 2 big cards, when having suited connectors, gives you a legit chance. Therefore, if another player makes a raise that is small and you feel lucky, you can make a call and then check out the flop to see if you hit. If you are sitting in a late position suited connectors are sweet cards to hold, as they give chances for limping in and raising. This will depend on the hand tempo.
Aces that are suited are much like suited connectors that are solid. However, there is a different type of risk. Suited Aces make it simple to find trouble on the kicker if you hit an Ace. If you make a call with these types of hands will mean that you, almost always, have to hit either a Flush or a 2-pair. Even if that happens you can still lose if there is a big card out there that an opponent with an Ace may have a pair that is bigger then yours. If you have a hand such as this you may want to limp into the pot. However, if you are on the button and opponents have not forced any action then you can raise and see what happens.
Pairs that are smaller are decent hands to play if there is not aggressive action before the flop. Much like having suited connectors, you may not want to call, as you do not want to lose what you bet after another player raised big. Small pairs are good to play before the flop with a raise, as you can see what the table action will be. If your raise does not force your opponents out of the hand, you will have to hit a set. You will be in trouble if any big cards show up on the flop and you will generally be out of position. It is OK to keep betting after the flop if you are in position and other player or players have not bet.
Any other hands that were not mentioned in this article should not be played unless it is the case where there are not many players left of the table, you are in a heads-up situation, or you are in a blind position.
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