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Here's a basic rundown -- preflop.
Pairs
You have the pairs, which are further separated into premium, middle, and low.
Premium - Rockets (AA), Cowboys (KK)
-----[Seigfreid and Roy (QQ), is basically a low-premium / high middle hand, because of the likelihood of someone else playing Big Slick (AK), and same goes for Fishhooks (JJ) and will be discussed below.]
Middle - Dimes (10 10), German Virgin (99), Snowmen (88), Sunset Strip (77), Route 66 (66, obviously)
-----[Speed Limit (55) as well as Dimes are also in another set which make them slightly better than the pairs surrounding them, which I'll get to later]
Low - Sailboats (44), Crabs (33), Ducks (22)
Here's why each is a premium, middle, or low.
I specify 4's and under as low because, well, almost anything (even a 59 can pair up and beat them). The Premium pairs because, well, a set or two pair is often one's best bet for beating them. (Straights and flushes go without saying). As for the Middle, (minus the tens), they are simply a good starting point, and very good to have with low cards on the board (to catch an opponent playing a high non-pair offguards when you catch your 3rd 7, for example).
Pair of 5's and 10's are slightly better because of this simple fact: to make any straight in poker, one must have a 5 or a 10. If you hold two of them, and the board does not show one, the chances of someone having the straight to beat you are severely limited.
Jacks and Queens often run into trouble, however (as they did to me not more than 45 minutes ago). Many people raise a hefty amount here, seeing as they have a pair of face cards. However, if someone has two over cards or even a higher pair, it's a situation you do not often want to get into. Seeing an A or a K on the board with Fishhooks or Seigfreid and Roy is NEVER a good thing.
Suited Connectors (My favorite hands)
Suited Connectors are my favorite starting hands (yes, even more so than rockets) because of the incredible drawing chances and deceiving possibilities that you have when you hold them. They are two cards of the same suit that can combine to give a straight.
I personally like to raise the minimum with suited connectors to see where I stand in relation to the rest. If someone raises big behind me, chances are I'm against a pair or two over cards, so I'll fold, if someone calls, good, let's go to the flop and see what develops.
As most of you know, people commonly play high cards. Therefore, by playing low and middle cards, you can safely assume that you and your opponent are likely not to be chasing after similiar cards. (Forget reverse and reverse-reverse, etc... for this little introduction.)
By playing suited connectors (especially if one of them is a 5 or a 10 [for reasons mentioned above in the "Pairs" section]) straights, flushes, and the occasional straight flush become available. The drawing possibilities are huge.
However, the problem with playing connectors (assuming suits are irrelevant here) is when you hold the bottom two to a flush. (For example you hold 78 and the board shows 9 10 J) Someone may hold Q K (A common hand for people to play), they may simply hold a Q or even a K, in which case the turn and river may give them the highest straight.
It is for this reason that I love J 10 suited so much. If both your J and your 10 are used in making a straight (following all the community cards), you cannot have the "ass-end" of a straight. (7 8 9 10 J All the way up through 10 J Q K A Yes it's the bottom two, but there is nothing higher.)
For added bonus, if you do not flop a pair or two pair and there are no draws on the board for you, it's a very simple fold, there is nothing tempting you to call.
Up and Down (My least favorite)
Up and Down (my own name) are hands with one card J or better, and another below the range of making a straight. I do not like them because if you pay your high card, your kicker is terrible and it is likely that another player may have the same high card with a better kicker. These hands destroy any chance of making a straight (unless you get a 4-straight on the board [same goes for flush]). I tend to fold these all the time.
Notice: You WILL get frustrated if, when you fold one of these hands, the flop would have given you two pair. Just shrug it off and move on, that's poker.
Ace and other
These are hands that contain an ace and some other card [obviously].
Two groups here, suited and unsuited, with three subgroups in each.
The first subgroup is A with a K, Q, J, or 10. These are the best Ace hands because of the added bonus of a straight or straight draw after the flop. Aces are the best single pair, so if the board shows one, you not only have it, but have a decent kicker too. Be careful of who raised, when, and how much pre-flop so that you do not get out-kickered.
The second subgroup is A with a 9, 8, 7, or 6. These are basically of the same value (to me at least) with the third subgroup. They provide an ace with a decent kicker, although not superb, but allow you the possibility to squeeze out a two pair from under your opponents nose.
The third subgroup is A with 2, 3, 4, or 5. These provide the chance of squeezing out two pair, as mentioned in subgroup 3, and give the possibility of a straight.
Of course, if suited, they fall into the suited connector realm, but the first subgroup also falls into the final category of starting hands worth playing:
High Cards
Two cards (Usually 9 or higher) that not suited. Simply call with these, because if you raise, you run the risk of being attacked by a person with a pair, or suited connectors, which seem to always give me grief. Kickers are very important when playing two high cards, so, again, pay attention to who raised and when.
*PHEW* I wrote all of that in one sitting. I will DEFINATELY re-read and proofread it all again when I wake up tomorrow, for I am tired right now. If there are any sections or hands you think I forgot or would like me to spend more time on, just let me know, and I'll come to it soon enough. My humble apologies for any aggregious grammar or spelling mistakes, as well as my rampant use of commas (I hate those accursed things).
Good luck to you all! And may you not simply skim over this because of it's outrageous length. You'll learn something, I promise. (Except you, Doyle Brunson, from whose book I've learned so much.)
P.S. I apologize for the stupid names of hands given in the "Pairs" section. I will accept any fault, except for the names of a pair of 10's, 9's, and 7's. I found those on a website so I could keep a pattern going. |
