Playing strong starters and getting busted |
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Posted Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:41 am GMT by easto
I've been playing hold'em for a while and I try to stay tight and play starters like AA, KK, QQ, JJ, and suited high cards, but I still seem to be getting done should I change my game? I am also wondering how good is a high card with a lower card like a 7?
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Posted Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:01 am GMT by Iron Butt
Wow, that's about a million questions in one really... and it's not too clear what you may know and not know... I'll try some tips and observations.
Position, where you sit in relation to the blinds, is very important, if you don't know about it find out. Ditto how to figure outs and pot odds.
"AA, KK, QQ, JJ...": QQ and especially JJ are a lot different than AA and KK, again, see position.
Big-little hands like A7, K7 etc. are pretty much junk. You usually don't want to pay anything to play these at a full table, like unraised in the BB only, and you need to hit them real hard like 2 pair or better to reasonably have any confidence in them, since if you only hit a pair you end up with a weak pair or a weak kicker. They gain a little value suited, but again you need the flop to hit you hard.
All that being said, you also need to be able to make some money with junk and the occasional suited connector once in a while. Betting aggressively, using position, shifting gears (playing tight, then looser, and back while still betting aggressively), limping with many callers and hands like suited connectors that play well in that situation, stuff like that.
I'm guessing you might not play enough hands but also might not fold enough post-flop. You don't play middle pair without also having a strong draw do you?
Well, there's a bunch of stuff, hope it helps.
Posted Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:18 am GMT by Monkfish
When you say you play suited high cards, you need to be aware of the major difference between the likes of AK or AQ against hands like QJ or KT. I would say QJ is the worst possible hand to call a raise with (assuming a full table and a typical game) as the chances of the hand being dominated are fairly high. If you are up against something like AJ or or KQ, then you're in trouble. If you hit one of your cards, then you're likely to lose a decent pot to another player with a higher kicker because your hand is "dominated". You may already understand this danger, but it is often an aspect that fairly inexperienced players don't fully appreciate.
As Iron states, position is extremely important to understand, for example, you should not be playing hands like AT or KQ from first position (under the gun) on a full table as it is more than likely to get you into trouble.
Posted Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:57 am GMT by easto
Thanks Iron Butt and Monkfish I think that position is where I'm lacking,
I think this will really help my game thanks.
Posted Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:43 am GMT by alderon
playing those A7 or k7 type hands can be a tough call. normally you prolly wont play them, but you never know. i had k7 and folded it 2 nights ago.
heres the flop
K, 9, 5.
the turn: K
the river: 7
so there ya go, my boat folded. like i had any clue that would happen but blinds were still fairly low. if its a nice low blind and theres only a couple callers ill usually play it.
Posted Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:49 am GMT by Dave B
Is this limit or NL. In limit, I never slowplay big hands. By raising preflop you eliminate a lot of the medium drawing hands that catch junk 2 pairs or str8s. Flush draws or high cards will typically still call. By raising preflop you have created pot odds for them to call you down on a draw-you will win 62% of the time, let them chase, but back off if it hits.
I dont worry near as much as I used to about pushing people off pots. They will usually assume you have AK AQ instead of AA KK. Also, anyone w/ 66 77 88 99 think pocket pairs are great, so they will usually call down, even w/ 2 overcards on the board.
Posted Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:03 am GMT by easto
Man I feel ya thats just bad luck eh alderon I've been just looking away when stuff like that happens, but I've been pleased now from seeing that when I been folding these hands that I'm saving money too.
I'm just playing low stake limit games to get a bit more of a feel for the game but NL would be fun later on I've only been playing for about six months so once I'm up to it I'll step up.
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