Starting

Well, if your just starting then this will help. It's some things I use and it helps me. Just basic things. If you have questions about more I'd be willing to answer.

Avoid playing big cards with small kickers
Texas hold'em is a game of top pair, top kicker. Most of what texas hold'em comes down to is holding big pair and being able to stand up against the other kickers on the table. Of course, you want to be in the position of taking the pot in at showdown, so don't be in pots that you shouldn't be in.

In the big blind and small blind, learn to fold after the flop
If you look at the poker hands, with the stats of each hand, you'll notice that players in the big blind and small blind don't play very well. Players in this position suffer are usual being dragged into a pot that they had no business being in. If you had A5 for example and you hit top pair on the flop with 4 more players to act and the person after you bets, it's practically a no-brainer to fold this hand. Most tight players play AT or better, so if any tight player is in the game with that Ace showing on board and there is no straight or flush possibilities out, you should automatically know you are beat.

AA vs AQ: 92% to 8% Need 2 Queens or make a str8
KK vs AQ: 72% to 29% Need an A at the least
AK vs AQ: 72% to 24% Need a Q at the least
QQ vs AQ: 70% to 30%
JJ vs AQ: 58% to 43%
TT vs AQ: 58% to 43%
AQs vs AQ: 57% to 43%
AQ vs AQ: 50% to 50%
22 - 99 vs AQ: 53% vs 45%

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LATA KIDD

Thanks Jim. I'm new to the site and game and I'll be using this.

It kills me when people complain when they're holding K 5 and get busted with the top pair because their kicker stinks. What did they expect with what they were holding? Its especially more funny when the guy complaining is the one that called a bet and didn't initiate it.

Thanks for the info Jim. I wuld add that one of the hardest things to do is laydown a lw pocket pair in early position (ie 6s or lower). I try to get away from them when small raises are brought to me. But other than that if you cannot limp in I suggest you fold these and wait for a better time like when you are on or close the button or in the blinds.

Yea its useful Info. Gl miller. Hopefully ull be approved by the time of the tourney. You probably will.

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LATA KIDD

i like that you made the point of learning how to lay down blinds. you don't really have anything invested if you see the flop free or cheap. no need to go broke on a hand you would have folded earlier

ya homless i normally follow those rules

It's also annoying when people start complaining when their A5 gets beat with an A10 or something similar. That's why I find myself usually folding if I'm out of the blinds with a high card and a low kicker, it's almost a no-brainer for me because I'm used to it. Of course, I'll usually keep an A2 suited, since you could catch a flush or a flush draw, or a straight or a straight draw. If I limp in a hand, I'll fold if I get nothing on the flop.

Thanks for the pointers, Jim.

I agree, however in a tournament heads up you want to play the high card with any kicker.