In an earlier article I
suggested the sort of hands that you should,
or should not be playing. In the next couple
of articles I will deal with starting hands
more specifically. As with all aspects of
poker there really aren't any specific
rules, so the following is only a suggested
guide. It is also more relevant to Limit
Hold'em, where playing the correct cards
will grind out a winning strategy most of
the time, if your discipline can outlast the
'luck rollercoaster'. In No Limit Hold'em it
could be argued that you can play any cards
if the position, state of the game, and
depth of chips is great enough. Even in NLH
though, it is probably best not to waiver
too far from the following... unless your
name is Gus Hansen or David Ulliot.
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I'll split the hand
types into three: pocket pairs, suited cards
and unsuited cards. The following
suggestions are probably most suited to an
average 9 handed $2/$4 table, where it is
neither an aggressive, or very tight line
up. Slight adjustments would have to be made
if the game became too tight, and likewise
if the game became a little wild.
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Pocket Pairs and Limit
Hold em.
* Aces, Kings, Queens - Play, raise and
re-raise at every opportunity in any
position, any amount of players. Don't 4-bet
Queens against very tight opponents
* Jacks, Tens, Nines - Play and raise in any
position. Only re-raise in late position
against 1 opponent. If there are three or
four opponents after the flop, you will need
to be holding an overpair or a set.
* Eights, Sevens - Play in un-raised pots.
Only raise in heads up situations such as
the blinds. Heads up, you are likely to win
with just the pair of eights. Against two
opponents or more, you need help on the
flop.
* Sixes, Fives - Pass in early position to a
raise. Pass in early position if there is
likely to be a raise behind you. Call in
late position, preferably against several
opponents where you are getting a good
return should you flop a set. Only raise in
the blinds heads up against weak opponents.
* Fours, Threes and Twos - Pass in early
position. Only play in pots where there are
at least three opponents (e.g.two limpers
and a big blind). Always try and avoid
playing these hands unless you are last to
act after the flop.
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