My Preflop Hand Selection - Comments |
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Posted Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:00 pm GMT by Phil Gordon AA
Hi I'm new to these forums. I've been playing poker for about two years and play cash games only. I either play live with my friends or on the internet but I like live games a lot more. We usually play with blinds at either 25c-25c, or 25-50c. We play low stakes with about 5 people.
I have an interest in preflop hand selections. I have a general idea of what I should play and not and it only differs according to my position, stack size, and if there is a raise or not in front of me.
I play tight-agressive and our game is usually tight-passive. There is more limping than you would see at a casino.
Ignoring position, stack size, and if there is a raise or not in front of me,
I like to play all pairs, all ace-x suiteds, unsuited aces down to AT, Kings down to KT, Queens down to QT Jacks down to J9, and sometimes suited and unsuited connectors from 56 to 9T. I have a reason for playing these connectors - I can flop something big. I only play them though if I can limp in and never call a raise with them.
I like to limp in with Ax suited and connectors to try to see a cheap flop but fold if theres a raise. I want to know if this is a good idea to limp in and then fold to a raise. (I heard you should either raise or fold)
I raise with pairs 7s and up, and AK, AQ, AJ, and KQ.
I usually limp and call with hands like 2s through 6s.
I don't play aces lower than AT because I hate being dominated. I much rather play 67s than AT. Same thing goes for the Kx, Qx, and Jx.
My style is to only commit chips when I have a big hand. I only call raises with pairs and big aces, KQ and a few other hands.
I don't take position into account as much as I should. We usally play 5 handed so position is as important.
Now I'm happy to hear what you guys have to say. I will take the critism and what not; I want to get better.
Also, my biggest question is what to do with hands like AT, KT, QT ( I like JT because of its drawing possiblities) Should I just muck these hands preflop?
Also, what to do with hands like KJ and QJ. Should I limp in, raise or fold altogether.
I'd really appreciate the comments.
(Also, let's just say everyone has the exact same chip stacks)
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Posted Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:27 pm GMT by ORGrinder
get and read Lee Jones "Winning Low Limit Texas Holdem". the book rocks and will cover all you are interested in knowing. also helps with the cheaper SNG's as well.
Posted Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:32 pm GMT by Ryan_j37
Looks like you have a fairly solid foundation. Try to raise preflop more then your limping as you are playing shorthanded. Dont put too much emphasis on suited cards. Youl only hit a flush a very small % of the time so it is not worth putting to much weight on. Position matters a lot. Try to take this into account before you make your play. E.g if you are on the button with KJo and it folds to you then it is definately a good idea to make a raise. Good luck in the future
Posted Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:59 pm GMT by tame_deuces
Actually, cards being suited adds a ton of value. Yes, you will hit a flush only rarely, but you only need the draw for much greater equity. Two overcards and a flushdraw is a monster hand in a multiway pot, two overcards..not so good. Flushdraws are also excellent for semibluffing, so you can safely bet, even overbet big on bluffs. We don't always need the flush to win. And in passive games, you can often get a very fair price on your flushdraw even if you decide not to bluff.
I'm not saying that any two suited will do, just that any hand we decide to play will gain _alot_ of value when suited.
Posted Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:48 pm GMT by fiezk
| tame_deuces wrote: | Actually, cards being suited adds a ton of value. Yes, you will hit a flush only rarely, but you only need the draw for much greater equity. Two overcards and a flushdraw is a monster hand in a multiway pot, two overcards..not so good. Flushdraws are also excellent for semibluffing, so you can safely bet, even overbet big on bluffs. We don't always need the flush to win. And in passive games, you can often get a very fair price on your flushdraw even if you decide not to bluff.
I'm not saying that any two suited will do, just that any hand we decide to play will gain _alot_ of value when suited. |
Tame makes a good point. 45o can't flop a great draw, 45s can.
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