Remember: Holding AA, KK, or QQ is no guarantee to win!
But you can improve your odds by following some simple guidelines:
Always raise or re-raise AA-QQ pre-flop.
With that you can narrow down the number of opponents. More opponents = lower odds to win the pot
Especially when you have KK or QQ dont be afraid of running into AA. That can happen but its quite unlikely.
Post-flop it is important to accept that there might be better hands. In that case you may have to throw away big pairs.
In a tournament this might be especially frustrating but depending on the size of your stack, there is most likely a better spot to play.
Showing posts with label hand selection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hand selection. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Playing A-K
AK is a very good hand pre-flop. Nevertheless people tend to overvalue its strength after the flop.
It is one of the top 5 starting hands => play it aggressively pre-flop.
Facts that are important for playing AK pre-flop are:
-you stack
-your opponents stacks
-blinds and antes
Try to get the last bet pre-flop because either your opponents fold and you win or the pot is very large and you still have good chances of winning.
If your opponent has a smaller pair your chances are about the same. If he does not hold a pair your chances of winning are far higher.
But against multiple opponents your hand becomes far less valuable in post-flop!
It is one of the top 5 starting hands => play it aggressively pre-flop.
Facts that are important for playing AK pre-flop are:
-you stack
-your opponents stacks
-blinds and antes
Try to get the last bet pre-flop because either your opponents fold and you win or the pot is very large and you still have good chances of winning.
If your opponent has a smaller pair your chances are about the same. If he does not hold a pair your chances of winning are far higher.
But against multiple opponents your hand becomes far less valuable in post-flop!
Playing from the Blinds
The question in the blind positions is always: Should you play your hand, or let it go?
Many players don't want to loose their invested blinds and tend to play more hands than they should.
Don't hesitate to throw your cards away!
Remember: Pre-flop your position is the best. Use the gathered information to your advantage!
Many players don't want to loose their invested blinds and tend to play more hands than they should.
Don't hesitate to throw your cards away!
Remember: Pre-flop your position is the best. Use the gathered information to your advantage!
Late Position Hand Selection
In late position your hand range widens when you're the first into a pot.
Of course it is still not recommended to raise with junk hands. But you should increase your aggression in the late position.
When you're not holding premium cards, folding to a pre-flop re-raise is OK.
In general: When action folds to you on the button, it's acceptable to raise up to 80% of your starting hands.
In case you want to bluff you have to consider the following:
-Stack size of your opponents especially the blind positions
-Your style of playing and how your opponents notice it. If you raise very often it might not be a good idea to bluff.
Of course it is still not recommended to raise with junk hands. But you should increase your aggression in the late position.
When you're not holding premium cards, folding to a pre-flop re-raise is OK.
In general: When action folds to you on the button, it's acceptable to raise up to 80% of your starting hands.
In case you want to bluff you have to consider the following:
-Stack size of your opponents especially the blind positions
-Your style of playing and how your opponents notice it. If you raise very often it might not be a good idea to bluff.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Middle Position Hand Selection
The middle position allows you to open the pot with a wider range of hands.
Because fewer players sit behind you it is less likely that someone has a very good hand.
When action is folded to you in middle position your opening hand range becomes wider.
- 55, 66
- KQ, KJ suited
- A-10 suited
You can even consider to call an opponents pre-flop raise with these starting hands.
Always be aware of your opponents images and stack sizes.
In middle position you have to ask yourself these questions:
- What if a bigger stacked opponent re-raises you?
- Will you call if a short stack opponent shoves?
- Which players at your table are loose, which are tight?
Remember: Its always better to be the raiser than the caller!
An early position raise usually signifies strength. => yourcalling hand range becomes smaller.
Dont be to attached to your cards after the flop!
Because fewer players sit behind you it is less likely that someone has a very good hand.
When action is folded to you in middle position your opening hand range becomes wider.
- 55, 66
- KQ, KJ suited
- A-10 suited
You can even consider to call an opponents pre-flop raise with these starting hands.
Always be aware of your opponents images and stack sizes.
In middle position you have to ask yourself these questions:
- What if a bigger stacked opponent re-raises you?
- Will you call if a short stack opponent shoves?
- Which players at your table are loose, which are tight?
Remember: Its always better to be the raiser than the caller!
An early position raise usually signifies strength. => yourcalling hand range becomes smaller.
Dont be to attached to your cards after the flop!
Early Position Hand Selection
The relative strength of your hand is very dependend on your position on the table.
Especially in early position you have very little to no information at all about the hands of your opponents.
You have to ask yourself the question if your hand is strong enough to call a raise or even strong enough to reraise.
When you decide to enter the pot it is a good idea to raise because:
1. Your opponent knows you have a strong hand.
2. Eliminates weaker opponents
3. Gives you the lead in the hand
In the early stages of a tournament, limit your early position starting hands to only the strongest range of starting hands. Later in the tournament you can open up your range because players are more likely to fold.
Especially in early position you have very little to no information at all about the hands of your opponents.
You have to ask yourself the question if your hand is strong enough to call a raise or even strong enough to reraise.
When you decide to enter the pot it is a good idea to raise because:
1. Your opponent knows you have a strong hand.
2. Eliminates weaker opponents
3. Gives you the lead in the hand
In the early stages of a tournament, limit your early position starting hands to only the strongest range of starting hands. Later in the tournament you can open up your range because players are more likely to fold.
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