|
Holdem Starting Hands
Top starting hands should be
raised and played aggressively. AA, KK, QQ, AK, JJ, AQ, these
hands are most likely to be the best before the flop. By raising
and eliminating other players early you reduce the risk of
getting outdrawn. These hands will hold up the majority of
the time against 2 or 3 opponents. So it is important to reduce
the number of opponents you face early by betting strong.
Other factors when deciding on how much to bet is your position.
If you are first to act then you should be folding all but
top hands. If you are near last position you have the advantage
of seeing what your opponents bet and can make your decision
on how strong you feel they are based on there actions.
Top hands are so important and
new "rookie" players lose more often by playing
too many hands. Its dificult to fold so much, but if you do
you will see how profitable it can be. Watch the poker players
on TV. These players beat hundreds of opponents to get to
the final table, and they do it time and time again.These
are great players and most of them play premium hands or are
at a level much higher than this and are experts at playing
their opponent and not their hands.
So as a new player don't try
to play hands you shouldn't because you see it working on
TV. Playing your opponent and not your cards is what makes
the poker great masters. But it takes much longer to master
these skills, and you need the building blocks to get there.
These hands look good to start
with, but will trap you and cost you money if you do not improve
or if you are dominated. Hands like AJ, KQ, KJ, QJ, K10, Q10
and J10.
These hands should not be played
after a raise and not played at all in early position. You
want to have your money in the pot when you have the best
hand, playing these hands will cause you to lose money in
the long run.
Meduim pairs are great to start
with, but if after the flop you haven't tripped out you should
fold them. A single pair will rarely win in a multi-opponent
game.
Suited connectors are a decent
starting hand. If there is a bet and a call before you fold
them. They are best played in late position.
Top Ten Starting Hands:
1. A-A
(Pocket Aces)
2. K-K (Pocket Kings)
3. Q-Q (Pocket Queens)
4. A-K (Ace King)
5. J-J (Pocket Jacks)
6. 10-10(Pocket Tens)
7. 9-9 (Pocket Nines)
8. 8-8 (Pocket Eights)
9. A-Q (Ace Queen)
10. 7-7 (Pocket Sevens)
Top hands to raise with
preflop:
1. A-A
(Pocket Aces)
2. K-K (Pocket Kings)
3. Q-Q (Pocket Queens)
4. A-K (Ace King)
5. J-J (Pocket Jacks)
6. 10-10 (Pocket Tens)
7. A-Q (Ace Queen)
Hands you want to see
a cheap flop with:
1. A-J
(Ace Jack)
2. K-Q (King Queen)
3. Q-J (Queen Jack)
4. J-10 (Jack Ten)
5. 9-9 (Pocket Nines)
6. 8-8 (Pocket Eights)
7. 7-7 (Pocket Sevens)
8. A-10 (Ace Ten)
9. 10-9 Same Suit (Ten Nine Suited)!
|
