Average table starting requirements for NL > $.50/$1 |
|
Posted Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:49 am GMT by AHBrownell
I have been messing around with my starting hand requirements a bit - tightening up actually. Poker is a game of situations not hard and fast rules - however, with average playing conditions (for NL HE $50./$1 at a full table) I have come up with the following hand requirements - and how I play each hand in each general position; are there any major recommendations for improvement - if so, why do you think your play is better than the listed play? As an aside, I've noticed that this forum really gets me thinking about the game much better than I do on my own --- you guys rule. 8) Much obliged for any advice/insight!
Early position
AA - Always raise and reraise
KK - Reraise another player's opening raise
QQ - Reraise another player's opening raise
JJ - Limp / call a small raise
TT - Limp / call a small raise
AKs - Reraise another player's opening raise
AK - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AQs - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AQ - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
Middle position
AA - Always raise and reraise
KK - Reraise another player's opening raise
QQ - Reraise another player's opening raise
JJ - Limp / call a small raise
TT - Limp / call a small raise
99 - Limp / call a small raise
88 - Limp / call a small raise
AKs - Reraise another player's opening raise
AK - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AQs - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AQ - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
AJs - Limp / call a small raise
ATs - Limp / call a small raise
A9s - Limp / call a small raise
KQs - Limp / fold to any raise
Late position / Blinds
AA - Always raise and reraise
KK - Reraise another player's opening raise
QQ - Reraise another player's opening raise
JJ - Limp / call a small raise
TT - Limp / call a small raise
99 - Limp / call a small raise
88 - Limp / call a small raise
77 - Limp / call a small raise
66 - Limp / call a small raise
55 - Limp / call a small raise
AKs - Reraise another player's opening raise
AK - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AQs - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AQ - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
AJs - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AJ - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
ATs - Raise if opening, otherwise call
AT - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
A9s - Limp / call a small raise
A8s - Limp / call a small raise
A7s - Limp / call a small raise
A6s - Limp / call a small raise
A5s - Limp / call a small raise
A4s - Limp / call a small raise
A3s - Limp / call a small raise
A2s - Limp / call a small raise
KQs - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
KQ - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
KJs - Raise if opening, fold to any raise
QJs - Limp / fold to any raise
JTs - Limp / fold to any raise
T9s - Limp / fold to any raise
98s - Limp / fold to any raise
87s - Limp / fold to any raise
76s - Limp / fold to any raise
65s - Limp / fold to any raise
Comments about this list:
 Limping with all medium pairs allows for sets to flop - hands where you can make a lot of money - if you raise with these hands I have found that although sometimes you can bluff them on the flop - at these limits players are willing to call you down with K9 or QJ. Better to get in cheaply, occassionally flop sets, or small boards, and otherwise get out without throwing away too many chips.
Making a single reraise with hands like KK, QQ, and AKs (rather than always reraising) allows you to get more money in when you have these powerful hands, but doesn't trap you for all your chips when you are beaten (to AA)
Hands with big implied odds (Axs and PP) are played heavily in late position - but rarely otherwise.
Hands which are easily dominated are not played if they do not open the pot. I have found its not even worth playing AJ/AT/KQ/KJ most of the time; if you are reraised preflop you are going to toss them - and if you flop an A or K you are often going to lose a lot of chips to better kickers.
Did you know that participating in a poker forum can help you improve your own game? Be it by sharing experiences or simply asking for help, participation in a forum helps you focus and keep 'on topic' which will help you improve your game. You can learn from other players feedback and from their experiences. Why the THP poker forums? We offer one of the best managed texas holdem poker forums available, and the community within is far more friendly than those typicaly found on other sites. We've made a 'lurkers edition' of the poker forum available here on Holdem Poker Online, but we encourage all visitors to register and join in on the conversations on TexasHoldem-Poker.com
Posted Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:46 am GMT by MJJ
I will limp and call a small raise w/ small pairs and mid-large suited connects (KQ-89) The payoff when they hait is enough to make up for all the times you miss the flop and have to lay down the hand
I will sometimes raise these hands as well- looking for the homerun. If you hit a flop w/ a small pair or mid suited connects after raiseing preflop it is very hard for the other players to put you on a hand
Posted Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:51 pm GMT by Skribbles
Low pairs should be playable from any position in NL IMO. I'll limp w/ 22 from UTG every single time. The power of a set is more than worth it.
Posted Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:16 pm GMT by xDiamond_CutteRx
You are playing way too passively with Jacks and Tens... you need to raise these hands from any position.
Also, I don't think you should be dumping AQ or KQs when someone raises, at least not all the time.
AJs and ATs are probably hands that should be raised in MP if no one has raised yet. You want to buy position with these hands.
I agree with Skribbles that you should be playing the majority of your PP's from almost any position. Even if you have to toss them when someone puts in a raise, small pairs are the type of hands that break players when they hit.
Also, I don't think you should focus as much on Axs. These hands play much better in limit, because you often do not get proper drawing odds after the flop in NL, and you will only flop a flush or flush draw about as often as you flop a set with a PP. I think in late position you should be limping/raising with any two cards above ten, depending how many players have entered before you--big cards gain a lot of value in LP in NL because you can usually protect your hand, or at least deny drawing players proper odds.
Occasionally, you should also call a small raise with suited connectors in position, because it gives you a very well concealed chance to hit a monster hand.
Posted Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:42 pm GMT by AHBrownell
Skribbles - if someone raises you after limping with the small PPs, how much are you willing to call from a full stacked opponent. 4x the BB?
Thx for the feedback.
Posted Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:12 am GMT by supafrey
Up to 5% of your stack is a decent guideline.
Posted Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:02 am GMT by Skribbles
| AHBrownell wrote: | Skribbles - if someone raises you after limping with the small PPs, how much are you willing to call from a full stacked opponent. 4x the BB?
Thx for the feedback. |
All depends.
1) If the guy is a maniac and I think I can stack him with a set I'll call a pretty big raise.
2) If its a multi-way pot I'll call a big raise.
3) I won't call anything over 4xBB if the guy only has only less than 30BB.
Basically, the more money and easier money a guy has, the bigger the raise I'll call.
The 5% rule is pretty good unless you are really deepstacked (200+BB). I go higher than 5% if there is 3+ seeing the flop.
Posted Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:42 am GMT by tame_deuces
I know these probably are not rules set in stone for you, but I think there is lack of aggression here in general. Too much open-limping here for my taste, I'd alot of these for raises instead.
It is almost like if you open-limp all anyone has to do is make a big raise and you fold. Remember aggression gives you two ways to win a pot after all.
There is also a tendency in this ranking to overvalue face cards and undervalue medium to high pockets...which I mostly see in players who respect overcards too much and who like to 'hit the flop' before they continue.
Apart from that, it is a very tight hand selection of premium hands and you seem to adjust it very well for positional play. You haven't said so here, but I take it you would also adjust it based on the number of players in the pot.
Posted Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:58 pm GMT by AHBrownell
Okay 5% rule is implemented.  TY
Tame in terms of your comments - I don't overvalue face cards imo. I like the passive/tight image at a table because it lets you bluff ppl more on the flop and get away with it. If it looks like I'm only willing to play monsters in raises and will occassionally limp with "semi-monsters" its really tough to figure out where I stand in certain flops.
For example - if I was to raise with TT in middle position to 3BB. I get a caller. Flop comes K95 three suits - I'd bet a continuation bet of 1/2 the pot - 3.5BB. If I was called I'd probably have to dump the hand on the turn.
If instead I play the hand my way - I limp in for 1BB. The flop comes K95 three suits. I'd check the flop and if my opponent bet, I fold. If they check I bet the turn and will usually win the pot. This means that it cost me 1BB to miss the flop VERSUS it costing me 6BB to miss it. Although this is just one of many flop situations I think it may be overall more profitable online to play this way.
I feel like I'd rather have a conservative/passive image some of the time because it allows me to steal pots more easily. When I bet ppl, are more inclined to fold. Paired flops, low flops, flops checked to me - are all mine. I like this. The little bit of value you gain from raising with TT getting a caller and low flop and picking up the pot against AK or AQ seems like an alternative way to play - but not necessarily a better way...
Posted Sat Mar 18, 2006 7:39 am GMT by AHBrownell
  
|
|
