Pocket Pairs Preflop in No Limit Hold’em

USTMIB — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:14:53 +0000

Being dealt a pocket pair can feel like a strong hand but they can lead you down a troubled road if not played correctly. The best advice is to play the top ones strongly but be prepared to let any pair go if things do not flop your way. Whilst pocket pairs have strong preflop value as the board is dealt they can lose this value rapidly. While, every poker player can tell you a time when their AK was beaten by deuces, it happens less often than it feels like it does. (You just tend to remember being beaten by deuces)

Top pairs like AA, KK, and QQ quite rightly deserve raises and re-raises. They are the statistical favorites in most hands. Playing against fewer players will only increase the value of these pairs. AA is 85% favourite to win a heads up to showdown but this percentage decreases substantially in multi-way pots.

With other pocket pairs you are looking to flop set to make a very strong, well disguised hand. Flopping a set when holding a pocket pair it only happens about 12% of the time. Not quite so rare that it isn’t worth making a small call to see the flop. When the serendipitous moment happens however, you need make it count. Don’t slow-play a flopped set. Chances are the other person will think they have the stronger hand and will call to the river. Which means a big pot an a big win for you.

Starting Hands in No Limit Hold’em – Position is Everything

USTMIB — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:01:35 +0000

Like many things in life position is a huge advantage a in Texas Hold’em. Although unlike life you generally don’t want to be front of the queue. If you are the first player to act you will have to do so without seeing what every body else is doing first.

In poker your position is how near you are to the dealer button. Being on the button is the best position to be in. In every round of betting (except preflop) preflop the button will be the last one to act. This provides the tactical advantage of seeing what other players do before you. This is great, especially if you have been profiling the players. You can assess whether your hand will hold up against the tight player’s big preflop raise.

If you know how many players are in the hand, you can act accordingly. Some hands will hold up much better against better few players at make it worth calling when otherwise you might fold.

In an early Position you can play only the premium hands. AA-QQ. AK and AQ

In the middle position you can add the premium hands plus middle pairs and other high suited connectors. JJ-99 and AK AQ KQ QJ and JT. Also AJs

In the late position you can add hands that are great for flush draws such as Axs and Kxs and all the other pocket pairs.

I would recommend reading Lee Jones’, Winning Low Limit Hold’em for an excellent guide to changing starting hand criteria with position.

Poker Ustmib » Starting hands

Pocket Pairs Preflop in No Limit Hold’em

Starting Hands in No Limit Hold’em – Position is Everything