t1riel
Legend
Silver Level
As many of you know, I read a lot of poker related articles and mention them on this forum. I figure I'll try writing my own article. I was inspired by the Top Ten Trouble Starting hands thread I posted a few days ago. Tell me what you think:
Many of you know what the Top Ten Starting Hands are and many books and articles tell you that you must raise with them preflop, sometimes regardless of position. What I'm going to be mentioning doesn't include the Top Ten Starting Hands. This is about the "other" starting hands that many poker players consider "great starting hands." I'm going to list some of these "great starting hands" and explain why they aren't as great as many think they are and how to play them.
K,Q
Why it isn't great: In my opinion, this hand is one of the most underrated hands in hold em. It looks like a good starting hand, hell it sure beats 3,9 and J,2. But, consider what you're actually holding. They are only slightly better than lower suited connectors and sometimes slight worse if they are unsuited. If you hit a pair of queens and kings on the flop, you would be in good shape. But, admit it. In the back of your mind, you worry about someone who has two pair or a higher kicker. If you hit a straight on the flop or turn, even better. But, only one ace is need to beat you (providing there isn't an ace on the board) and a lot of poker players treat and Ace like gold regardless of what the kicker is.
How to play them: This hand is great to limp in with but never to call a raise unless your in late position with no callers but even then it's a questionable call. Play with caution and don't invest too much with them. Personally, I rather have K, J.
A, 2
Why it isn't great: Besides the fact it has the lowest kicker wth the ace? Simple, the only way you can have a great hand is if two dueces are on the board. If they are suited, you might have a better chance to catch a flush. I know a lot of players consider this a great hand. What they don't realize is a connector or even a worse starting hand can beat it.
Let say you have Ah, 2h and call the big blind in early position and the flop was 4s, 3c, Js. Well, no flush but you got a straight draw. So, you bet and there are TWO raises. So, you call, The turn is a 6d. Well, that not the card you're looking for but you make a bet and there are another TWO raises. So, you call. The turn is a 5s. Great! You got the straight! So, you reraises the two raises. They both call. You got a big pot right?..right? Wrong. One player had 8s, 7s suited and the other has Js, 2s. You have the lowest hand. One player had the flush and a HIGHER Straight and the other player had the higher flush both with a garbage hand. Now, besides the fact you played the hand wrong, you also were blinded by the fact there are three of the same suit on the board becuase you were concentrating on the straight. If you had As, 2s, then you're golden and would have seen the flush becuase you have the highest card of a flush and possible striaght flush.
How to play them: If they aren't suited, they are not even worth the limp in call. If they are suited, play them if there are no big raises. Otherwise, fold.
J, Q, K, or A with a 10 Kicker
Why they aren't great: These hands are designed to get the straight that some poker players won't even see coming. While that's great, the odds of that happening are slim. Even if you catch a pair, you have to worry about someone having the same pair but with a better kicker. If they are suited, it may have greatr value due to the high cards. But, some poker players call big raises with these hands and it's no surprise that the flop rarely helps them.
How to play them: These are good to raise with in late position with little action. Also, they are great to call small raises and the big blind in early to middle position.
Low suited connectors (2,3 3,4 4,5)
Why they aren't great: I think some players love these because they may catch a straight flush with them. Well, how often do you see ANY straight flush? Exactly. Sure, you could catch a straight with them but you run into the same problem as mentioned in A,2. Sure, you could catch the flush but someone could very easily catch a higher flush.
How to Play Them: Don't.
I'm not saying NEVER play these starting hands, just don't think they are great starting hands you should play often as many of the poker players I know keep doing. Basically, I'm saying proceed with caution. Don't be fooled by how they look. Use logic.
By: Timothy Riel
This is the first poker article I've written and you're the first to see it. You may disagree with some of this and remember, it is a first draft. Tell me what you think. Thanks!:hello:
Beyond The Top Ten Starting Hands
Many of you know what the Top Ten Starting Hands are and many books and articles tell you that you must raise with them preflop, sometimes regardless of position. What I'm going to be mentioning doesn't include the Top Ten Starting Hands. This is about the "other" starting hands that many poker players consider "great starting hands." I'm going to list some of these "great starting hands" and explain why they aren't as great as many think they are and how to play them.
K,Q
Why it isn't great: In my opinion, this hand is one of the most underrated hands in hold em. It looks like a good starting hand, hell it sure beats 3,9 and J,2. But, consider what you're actually holding. They are only slightly better than lower suited connectors and sometimes slight worse if they are unsuited. If you hit a pair of queens and kings on the flop, you would be in good shape. But, admit it. In the back of your mind, you worry about someone who has two pair or a higher kicker. If you hit a straight on the flop or turn, even better. But, only one ace is need to beat you (providing there isn't an ace on the board) and a lot of poker players treat and Ace like gold regardless of what the kicker is.
How to play them: This hand is great to limp in with but never to call a raise unless your in late position with no callers but even then it's a questionable call. Play with caution and don't invest too much with them. Personally, I rather have K, J.
A, 2
Why it isn't great: Besides the fact it has the lowest kicker wth the ace? Simple, the only way you can have a great hand is if two dueces are on the board. If they are suited, you might have a better chance to catch a flush. I know a lot of players consider this a great hand. What they don't realize is a connector or even a worse starting hand can beat it.
Let say you have Ah, 2h and call the big blind in early position and the flop was 4s, 3c, Js. Well, no flush but you got a straight draw. So, you bet and there are TWO raises. So, you call, The turn is a 6d. Well, that not the card you're looking for but you make a bet and there are another TWO raises. So, you call. The turn is a 5s. Great! You got the straight! So, you reraises the two raises. They both call. You got a big pot right?..right? Wrong. One player had 8s, 7s suited and the other has Js, 2s. You have the lowest hand. One player had the flush and a HIGHER Straight and the other player had the higher flush both with a garbage hand. Now, besides the fact you played the hand wrong, you also were blinded by the fact there are three of the same suit on the board becuase you were concentrating on the straight. If you had As, 2s, then you're golden and would have seen the flush becuase you have the highest card of a flush and possible striaght flush.
How to play them: If they aren't suited, they are not even worth the limp in call. If they are suited, play them if there are no big raises. Otherwise, fold.
J, Q, K, or A with a 10 Kicker
Why they aren't great: These hands are designed to get the straight that some poker players won't even see coming. While that's great, the odds of that happening are slim. Even if you catch a pair, you have to worry about someone having the same pair but with a better kicker. If they are suited, it may have greatr value due to the high cards. But, some poker players call big raises with these hands and it's no surprise that the flop rarely helps them.
How to play them: These are good to raise with in late position with little action. Also, they are great to call small raises and the big blind in early to middle position.
Low suited connectors (2,3 3,4 4,5)
Why they aren't great: I think some players love these because they may catch a straight flush with them. Well, how often do you see ANY straight flush? Exactly. Sure, you could catch a straight with them but you run into the same problem as mentioned in A,2. Sure, you could catch the flush but someone could very easily catch a higher flush.
How to Play Them: Don't.
I'm not saying NEVER play these starting hands, just don't think they are great starting hands you should play often as many of the poker players I know keep doing. Basically, I'm saying proceed with caution. Don't be fooled by how they look. Use logic.
By: Timothy Riel
This is the first poker article I've written and you're the first to see it. You may disagree with some of this and remember, it is a first draft. Tell me what you think. Thanks!:hello:
