Many new players especially those with less experience are interested in learning about particular hands. In the past, articles have been written with respect to the types of hands that players should or should not be playing. However, the hands discussed could have been dealt at any stage of the game. For the next few articles, the focus will be applied to starting hands. These are hands that are initially dealt and occur at the beginning of the game. It is important to note that poker does not have specific rules with respect to playable hands. Any advice given is a suggestion. There are no guarantees when it comes to poker, least of all when it comes to playable hands in the game. The advice offered is also likely to be more relevant when playing Limit Hold'em. During Limit Hold'em playing the right cards will more often than not trump and winning strategy. This is especially true if a players discipline can outlast the rollercoaster of lady luck.
Many arguments have been made that any cards may be played if the position, state of the game and the depth of the chips are high. This argument is made when it comes to No Limit Hold'em. Still, unless you are a highly successful professional poker player highly skilled when it comes to No Limit Hold'em games it is advised not to deviate from the following suggestions.
There are three types of main starting hands. Players may be dealt pocket pairs, suited cards or unsuited cards. The suggestions which follow are most applicable when the player is taking part in an average nine handed $2/$4 table. This type of table is neither aggressive, nor especially tight. Players should be aware that slight adjustments may be necessary if the poker game becomes too tight. Adjustments may also be necessary if the game becomes aggressive.
First we will consider pocket pairs and limit Hold-em aces, kings and queens. When holding these cards, players are advised to play, raise and reraise at every opportunity. This should be done regardless to the player's position and regardless of how many other players are at the table. Players should be careful with queens when placed against very tight opponents, jacks, tens or nines. Players should play and raise regardless of their individual position at the table. Our suggestion is to only reraise in a late position when squaring off against one opponent. When three or four opponents are positioned after the flop, players are advised to be holding an overpair or a set in order to continue a play. When holding eights and sevens, players are suggested to play in pots that have not been raised. When holding this type of hand, players are advised to only raise during the blinds or in other heads up situations. When holding sixes and fives, it is advised to pass from an early position to a raise. When passing in an early position, players should be set up for there to be a raise behind them. Raises should only be made in the blinds when facing off against weaker opponents. When holding weak cards such as fours, threes and twos, players should pass in early position. Such hands should only be played when there are at least three opponents at the table. It is also important to attempt to avoid playing such hands until the individual is at the last position after the flop. Remember, this is basic advice and these suggestions are not applicable to all hands. Players should also use their common sense when it comes to playable starting hands.
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