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Texas Hold'em Strategy
General Hold'em Strategy:
Hold'em is basically HIGH card game. The players holding two
good high cards have the best chance at the best hand or a
draw to the best hand after the flop. Only play strong hands,
that will stand a raise or multiple raises, from early betting
positions. Play medium strength and other playable hands from
the later positions if you have a good chance of seeing the
flop at a reasonable price. Play strong high hands MOST of
the time, and play them very aggressively. Take all the raises
you can get. If you don't thin out the competition, you reduce
your chances of winning. Plus, your aggressive play before
the flop can add credibility to any strong play you might
want to use on the next round if a garbage flop falls and
you want to try a steal. Be ready to fold your high pair if
you get a lot of action with a threatening flop.
Definitions:
HIGH CARDS - A thru 10 (Aces, Faces and Tens)
MEDIUM CARDS - 9 thru 7
LOW CARDS - 6 thru 2
SUITED PLAYER HAND (S) - Both cards of the same suit.
NUT HAND - An unbeatable hand. Sometimes called a "lock".
FLOP, TURN. RIVER - The community cards in the order
of distribution. See top illustration.
FAST PLAY - Bet, raise and re-raise to get as many
other players out as possible.
SLOW PLAY - Just check or call along to keep other
players in the game to increase the pot odds.
CHECK-FOLD - Check when you can and fold if you are
bet into. Gladly accept all free cards offered.
Starting Holdem Hands:
The starting hands shown here are in general power order groups
with names that are easy to remember. More precise power ratings
of each of the individual hands is available on the "Best
of the Net" page, under "Texas Hold'em".
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The Strongest Starting Hands:
PAIR of HIGH CARDS - AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 1010
ACE and HIGH CARD SUITED - AK(S), AQ(S), AJ(S), A10(S)
FACES SUITED - KQ(S), KJ(S), QJ(S)
ACE KING - AK
Medium Strength Starting Hands:
FACE TEN SUITED - K10(S), Q10(S), J10(S)
MEDIUM PAIRS - 99, 88, 77
TWO HIGH CARDS - AQ, AJ, A10 (ace king ranks higher,
above), KQ down to J10
ACE and MEDIUM SUITED - A9(S), A8(S), A7(S)
MEDIUM SUITED CONNECTORS - 109(S), 98(S), 87(S)
Other Conditional Starting Hands:
LOW PAIRS - 66, 55, 44, 33, 22
ACE and LOW SUITED - A6(S), A5(S), A4(S), A3(S), A2(S)
LOW SUITED CONNECTORS - 76(S), 65(S), 54(S) (lowest)
Strategy Tips:
Fast play high pairs and very strong hands before the flop.
This puts more money in the early pot and encourages weak
and garbage hands to fold that could get a lucky flop and
beat you.
Don't draw to the low end or both ends of a straight. If a
9 8 7 flops, you want to be playing the J 10 and not the 6
5 or the 10 6. (The low part is commonly called the "ignorant"
end of the straight.)
Unconnected Medium and Low Cards are Usually Unplayable. This
includes suited cards that can't flop a straight. Both ends
of a straight such as 9 5 fall into this very weak catagory.
Play starting low pairs cautiously. 66 down to 22. Usually
not from an early seat and from the late positions, only when
the price is right. If you don't flop a set (trips or fours)
you should usually fold.
Play aggressively when you have a two way draw after the flop.
If you can make a straight AND a flush or trips etc., usually
bet/raise your hand.
Bet an Ace or two high overcards after a garbage flop (a three
suit "rainbow" with unconnected medium and low cards).
Usually fold if someone raises.
Watch out for uniform flops, like 8 7 6, they can easily turn
into straights that can overtake your high pair or other good
hand.
Check the raisers chips. Players that are close to all-in
often rush the betting just to get all their chips in a sink-or-swim
last hand.
Beware of Suited Flops that can make a completed flush. In
this case, you should usually hold the nut in that suit, or
have trips or two pair that can fill up..
Get caught bluffing once in a while. It is a way to vary your
play and not be too predictable. You win pots that you don't
deserve when your bluff works. You lose a few chips when it
doesn't work but it will get you calls from weaker hands down
the line when you have a strong hand and need the action.
Study your opponents, especially when you are not playing
hands and can pay careful attention. Do they find more hands
to play than they fold? Do they bluff? Can they be bluffed?
Do they have any "tells" (give away mannerisms)
that disclose information about their hands etc." Source:
http://www.pokersyte.com/holdem.htm
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