Posts Tagged ‘hand’

Break Issue

Hi,

I have some questions to ask but I don’t know if they would make sense.

Say you are playing in a live poker room and need to use the facilities or want to get some of the free grub, what will you do then? Leave your chips behind or take them with you as you go?

Another thing, do you have any idea what will happen in case one of the blinds passes you by while you are gone? Do you think there’ll be a need to ante up again?

Many thanks,
Clark
Clark,

If you need to go to the restroom or get food, you leave your chips at the table. If you are in a cash game, you will not be dealt a hand while you are gone. When you come back, if the blinds have past you, you may either post the blinds to get back in the game, or wait until the blinds come back to you.

If you are in a tournament you will be dealt cards and those cards mucked when action comes to you. Your blinds and antes will also be posted in your absence.

Revealing Your Hand at Showdown

Hello,

I remember in the movie Mavrick, James Coburn at some point said something to the effect of “I only have two pair, Aces and Aces”. Do you think what he said has some negative effects?

By the way, your site is so great. Keep up the good work!

All the best,
Wesley
Wesley,

Actually, Coburn said, “I have two small pair. Eights, and Eights.” I love Maverick. It’s a fun move and involves my favorite game, Five Card Draw. Coburn didn’t do anyone a disservice by calling his hand like this. In most casinos, cards speak. What this means is that the dealer determines the winner of the hand by identifying the winning hand. You don’t have to know your exact hand to win, although you should.

Sharing Information With Players Outside the Game

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for some time now and I’ve already played in 3 various poker situations, casino, online and with friends in home games. Amongst the 3, I found playing with friends the most exciting.

Well, ever since, I have a group of about 12 men that get together and play. I believe because we are only 12, most of us can easily pick up habits of each other and then remember them quickly.

Now, do you think it is fair or ethical to discuss one’s tell, tendencies, habits, etc. with other guys not up for playing?

Thanks a bunch!

All the best,
Vincent
Vincent,

As long as you are not doing it during a hand, there is no problem with this. Actually, it may help you improve as a player as you are analyzing others play and your own. I encourage you to do so.

How to Calculate Poker Odds

Hello,

I have a problem on how to calculate poker odds. Well, I have already seen all the hand odds/probabilities charts and already found brief summaries on how to calculate poker odds. But still, I have some questions in mind. Say you didn’t get an ace for a first card and so the odds of getting it on your second increase to 51:1. I know writing everything in paper is quite impractical, so can I do the calculation myself?

Assume that I have two suited cards in my hand and I like to calculate the poker odds of drawing a complete flush by the flop, and so as by the turn and river. In case I have 3 to the flush on the flop, what’s next? How about 4 to the flush on the flop, etc.?

Please help me. Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Charlie Cowell
Charlie,

By all means, if you would rather do calculations yourself, you can, but to be honest, doing them on paper is long and drawed out. You need to learn to be able to do these calculations in your head. You should use the 4 – 2 method to calculate odds. Also, you shouldn’t be trying to figure odds on runner runner draws. That is just going to burn money out of your stack.

What’s Next After Knowing the Odds?

Hi,

I’m wondering if what these percentages tell me. In case we use a 4 to the flush after the flop scenario, I have a 36% chance to make my hand. In the event we go all the way by math, my chances aren’t greater than 50%. Do you think if not all, most of my plays should only be when I have greater than 50% to make my hand? Or else if not, then what? Semi-bluff, raise, call or fold? And for me to stay in, how should the pot be?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Tim
Tim,

What should determine whether you stay in the pot or not is the pot odds. The way to determine pot odd is to take the amount of money that you need call a bet and divide it by the amount of the pot before your call. This tells you what percentage your call is to the pot. If the call is less than or equal to the percentage to hit your hand, then you can make the call.

Pocket 8′s Against Ace King

Hello,

Last night, I played with some friends. At some point I wagered against one of my friends. Back then I had pocket 8′s and then went all in. Four players were in the hand before the flop. After a while my friend called me with Ace King offsuit. I then said that I had made a good decision for as long as nobody had pockets most likely I would win. On the contrary, my friend said that Ace King was favored in our game. Who do you think is right?

Hope to hear from you soon!

Many thanks,
Kent
Kent,

Pocket eights are 55% to 44% to win against A-K offsuit. You are right, but it really is just a glorified coin flip. If the A-K was suited, you were only 52% to 48% to win.

Heads Up Odds

Hi,

Just recently, I had an argument with a certain guy online. Well, he went all in with Queens and had two callers who created a side pot. Back then, I had AJ. There was another guy but I don’t know what he had then as he folded earlier. At some point, I had running Aces on the turn and river to win the hand. He then started complaining about my luckiness. I told him afterwards that Queens was not a mortal lock as long as I had one overcard and straight potential. And that with two callers, he was actually the favorite but also the overall dog.

I’ve been watching WSOP for some time now and from it I’ve learned a few things. The most important thing I guess is the one about when a pair against two overcards is a 53% favorite head’s up; the higher of two pairs is an 80% favorite head-to-head.

Anyway, guy who hosted the house game said I played the worst starting hand (72) against the best (AA) which will win about 12% of the time. Your thoughts?

On a side note, what are the odds of QQ against AJ as outlined above? I think the answer would be around 65%.

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Tyler
Tyler,

Pocket queens are 71% against A-J. 7-2 offsuit will indeed beat A-A 12% of the time. You were incorrect with him being an overall underdog with two callers. Actually, with 2 callers, he becomes more of a favorite over you depending on the hand. His win percentage is lowered, but so is everyone elses.

As far as your hand, you were fortunate to win, but heads-up both of the hands were very strong. He is just upset you won.

Odds and Number of Players

Hello,

I know that the odds on seeing a hand may be similar in various games. But how about in Draw vs. Holdem?

Last night I was in a game. At some point I saw a royal along with some players, more or less 5. Do you think there’s a better or worse chance to see a royal flush on the table with more or less players? Well, for some, the more players, the more chances to see a royal as more cards are actually in play. But for those who are mathematically inclined, number of players doesn’t matter, the odds of seeing a royal flush still the same whether there are 10 or 2 players. Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton!

Best regards,
Tristan
Tristan,

When you say on the table, do you mean on the board or do you mean with one of the players having the hand complete it? My guess is the latter. I would say that the odds to see a royal will increase with more players in the hand, if a royal is possible, but also it depends on how many of the cards are on the board. I think that if it requires two cards from the player, the odds probably stay the same. They would go up, if there were 4 to the royal on board.

Adjusting Game and Quick Calculation Method of Odds

Hello,

Before, I’m actually into hosting of home tournaments which typically with 40-50 players. Buy in then was around $50, therefore I’ve only accepted players who belonged to average to good category. But just recently, I decided to have some friends over to play in small 10-12 people $20 buy-in tournaments. Unfortunately I was busted out in most of those games so quick. I believe my problem then was about adjusting. I found it hard to adjust my game to the table. Maybe one factor to consider is that I’ve been so use to playing with good players, by which my situational bluffs work. Your thoughts?

By the way, I also want to share to you something. One guy once taught me how to calculate hand odds quickly. According to him all I have to do is this – (outs *2) + 1 = percentage. Therefore if you have 8 outs (open ended straight draw) then (8 * 2) + 1 = 17%. But recently I saw that you showed such at 34%. Well, I know that you’re calculating hitting the hand by the river (2 draws). In the event there was a flush potential also then 8 (open ender cards) + 9 (flush cards remaining) – 2 (remove the 2 flush cards that also complete your straight…. 8 added) = 15 outs or 31%.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Kirk
Kirk,

When you play with bad players, bluffs will not work that well. You will need to either tighten up and play solid poker or play small ball and crush your opponents when you flop well.

Your calculation for hand odds is a good one, but to figure out from the flop, multiply your calculation by 2. 15 outs on the flop has around a 62% chance to win with your formula.

With Losing Hands

Hi,

I’m here to ask this, how will you know you have the best hand? Recently I played online and had KQs. Well, it was a 1$ big blind table. At the position before the button, there were no raises preflop therefore I just raised 1$. Players who were in the hand called. Flop then came and brought 333. Checks all around followed. After a while turn came and brought Q, it then checked all around. River came and was K. It later checked around to me therefore I decided to place 5$ bet. Everyone else then folded except for one player who re-raised me 15$. I then called with the thought that everything was just a bluff. He then showed me K3 off suit and immediately taken down the pot.

Now as I try to analyze things up I can’t afford not to think that I maybe have misplayed the hand. Also, I’ve read in books and websites that “If the pot is laying you 6:1 and your no worse than that to win it, make the call”. But I don’t know how can I ascertain if I’m 6:1 to win the hand or not.

The other day I’ve seen plenty of examples on your odds of making a draw or improving your hand, but I wonder, what if you’re not drawing to the Nuts, how can you tell what your winning odds are?

Please I need your help. Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Tommy
Tommy,

First, that was a split pot. Both of you had three’s full of kings.

Next to determine whether your worse than 6 to 1 to win, when you 6 to1, you are around 17% to win the hand. If you are on the flop, figure out the number of outs to win the hand. Multiply it by 4. This will give you your percentage to win the hand by the river. If it is greater or equal to 17, then you are better than 6 to 1. On the turn, calculate your outs by 2 to get the percentage. If you are equal or better than 17% to hit your hand, then you are better than 6 to 1.

Turn or River Odds

Hello,

Once in a certain material I encountered this line: “For figuring out odds for a draw that can hit on either the turn or the river (keyword either), you need to do something a little more complicated — you figure out what the odds are of not hitting it and the subtracting that number by 1. Since 5 cards give us our hand, there must be 42 that don’t. Then on the river if we haven’t hit there must be 41 cards that don’t make our hand. 42/47 * 41/46. This gives us 795, now subtract that from 1 to get the percentage of 20%. Flop to River % = 1 – [ ((47 - Outs) / 47) * ((46 - Outs) / 46) ]”. Can you please explain this to me a little more?

I’ll be looking forward for your response.

Many thanks,
Jason
Jason,

Make is simple on yourself. When you are at the flop, figure out the number of cards that you perceive as your outs and multiply that by 4. This will give you the percentage to hit your hand on the flop. At the turn, multiply your outs by 2. This will give your percentage to hit your hand.

JJ Against AQ

Hi,

I played poker last night with some friends. At some point of the game an argument came up. First I said that a pair of jacks is a better starting hand than A/Q. A friend of mine then said that A/Q has a higher winning percentage than the pair of jacks. Who do you think is right?

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
Franco
Franco,

Pocket jacks are a 54% to 46% favorite when the A-Q is suited. It changes to 57% to 4% when the A-Q is unsuited. The Jacks are the better hand, but your still nearly a coinflip to win.

Outs and What Cards to Play

Hi,

I have two questions. I hope you’re not too busy.

Well, the first one is about the many things about “outs”. In your own opinion, is it better to have more or less outs? And when playing an off suit hand like A,9, are there actually only 6 possible outs?

For my second question which is actually about what cards to play, say I get dealt A,9 suited and I feel that hand is worth playing and I can make the highest flush though I can only make a one card straight, what do you think I should do?

I’ll be glad to hear from you in no time.

Thanks a ton!

Warm regards,
Jake
Jake,

The more outs you have the better off you are. In regards to A-9 suited, this is either a late position hand or a hand to see a cheap flop with, especially in the blinds. I wouldn’t go crazy with this hand unless I am short stacked in a tournament.

Texas Holdem Pot Odds

Hi,

Say there are 4 players in a hand and after the flop I’m on the button. Then small blind bets and everyone else calls. Do you think I need to calculate their bets into the pot size? For an instance, pot size $7, 1pl bet $3, 2pl call $3, and 3pl call $3. If in case I have 19% to hit my flush, do you think I have to add up the pot size with the bets behind me to calculate pot odds? If so, will it be 7 + 3 / 3 = 3/10 =30%? How about 16+3/3=3/19 = 15.7%? Your thoughts please.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Victor
Victor,

You need to include all the money in the pot from all players to calculate your pot odds. It would be Size of Pot/Your call=Percentage of pot. In your case 16/3=.1875 or 18.75%. You can round this up to 19% if you so desire. You have the exact minimum you need to call this bet.

Various Questions

Hello,

Just want to ask some questions. I hope you have time.

1. How often do you play against world class talent? And what would you normally consider world class?
2. Do you think it’s a good idea to put people to the test by going all in earlier with the possibilities they will later on call or bust you?
3. In no limit, do you think it’s actually a good thing to sometimes raise your draws despite the fact that you could be re-raised all in or the betting player would place bets lower than your raise?

I’ll be glad to hear from you in no time. More power!

Many thanks,
Xander
Xander,

1. World class talent are those that play in the highest level games in the world such as the World Series of Poker, the WPT, etc. I personally play against such competition a couple of times a year, most specifically at the World Series of Poker.
   
2. It depends on the hand. If I have a big hand that I don’t want to have to make a decision about, I will push. I will also do the same if I think I can get them to lay down or if I think that it is the best way to double up.
   
3. You definitely should raise your draws on occasion when you think doing so will get you a free card to draw at your hand. This is a move best done in position. You must also have a good read on your opponent.

Trey Vs. Deuce

Hi,

Last week, in ESPN’s fictional game, a father/son ended up as adversaries in a certain hand. I remember the father had Jack/trey and the son had Jack/deuce. Flop was Jack-ten-eight. Honestly, I am not so sure about the ten and eight but they’re not important to the hand anyway. To continue, turn came and was another insignificant card, I think it was a five. Well, nobody paired on the turn or river. Do you think the result should be a tie? A split pot perhaps?

Later, the winning hand was given to the father as his trey was higher than his son’s deuce. I don’t exactly understand this, hope you can help me.

Hope to hear from you in no time.

All the best,
Anthony
Anthony,

This should have been a split pot. Both players had a pair of Jacks with a 10-8-5 kicker. If the hand unfolded as you described, then whoever made the show didn’t know what they were doing.

About Revealing Hands and Computer Opponents

Hi,

I’m just a newbie so I don’t know if I am actually allowed to tell other players what I have. Any thoughts?

Another thing, is there any computer type or version that is far superior than human player, say in chess?

By the way, your site is so nice and helpful. Keep up the good work!

Best regards,
Jonas
Jonas,

If you are in a hand, you are not permitted to tell the truth about your hand. You can lie, but you are not permitted to tell the truth.

Normally a computer is not superior to a human in Poker. A research group has created one computer named POLARIS that did win a poker match against a couple of professional poker players. This is an experimental computer and not one you will face in real life. Most poker bots are predictable.

Common Scenario

Hello,

For several times this scenario happens to me, I don’t want to fold too high to the point which when everyone folds, however one particular doesn’t want to check it to let others have their free flush however whatever he does, betting and the like, he has to do that at all means.

Any thoughts? Given you have such hand, how do you go about playing them? And if the flush card hits on the turn, what will you do?

Thanks!

Regards,
Genesis
Genesis,

When you play with calling stations, you have to try and push your advantages when you have them, but in the event that draws do hit and you perceive people on the draw, then you need to slow down and check. Chances are at this point you’re beat.

Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card

Hi,

I want to ask something. It’s about raising on the flop with a flush draw to obtain a free card. I’m wondering if you know what’s the logical and sound way to make this play in the event there’s action on the turn. Any thoughts?

Another thing, is the act of raising the flop to obtain a free card the best move when playing against 1 opponent with a made hand? And if a call and a bet appear, what do you think will happen?

Well, in limits things seem clear, but I’m clueless about the things to happen in case you miss on the turn. Is it worth calling a bet on the turn? But how about if they bet with a reasonable amount on the flop?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Many thanks!

Warm regards,
Leo
Leo,

Raising to get a free card is best to do with one or two opponents only. If they call, they may check on the turn to you. If they don’t, this gives you a better idea of the hand they have. But another thing is that if they call the raise, they may be laying you better odds to draw on the turn to you flush.

On the turn, you have to go by pot odds to determine to draw or not. If you have the proper odds, then call the bet. If you don’t, then fold.

Couple of Questions

Hello,

I have two questions to ask. Hope you have time.

The first one is about how one can tell a bad player has actually made a strong hand. Almost all loose-passive I know call all the way without considering if they have bottom pair or top set. In my case, I usually bet hand like top pair and keep still being aggressive.

If I may add, before facing such opponents, do you have to wait for the absolute nuts or can you go on playing big pairs and top pair with a good kicker with positive outlook?

The second one on the other hand is about the correct amount to value bet against the opponents above. Is it just to bet two times the size of the pot with the nuts say it’s okay for them to call any of your bets?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Lutherford
Lutherford,

In regards to playing bad players, I would continue to play solid hands and push my advantage. Yes, they will suck out on you, but over time, you will triumph. As far as determining if they have strong hands, sometimes you can’t. If they continue to bet and call the same way throughout, you won’t be able to put them on hands. However, if they start changing their bet sizes out of the ordinary, then there is a chance they have hit a hand. Also, if they are always betting out or calling and start doing the opposite action, then that is another sign.

Fill Someone’s Open Ended Straight

Hello,

I remember that for once you’ve used the following as example:

Hole: AK
Board: TJ4

Well, it implies that drawing to the queen is actually more justifiable as you have 2 overs. I agree a bit as I don’t know what will happen in the event Ace or King drops. It’s a good thing that suddenly you have top pair-top kicker. But what if it just fill someone’s open ended straight?

I’ve already seen a lot of games by which one person hits the top pair which just happens to be the high end of someone else’s straight.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks,
Ry
Ry,

If you think they are on a draw, then bet out to chase them out the pot if you can. Otherwise, if you bet your top pair and meet resistance, you may want to consider getting away from the hand.

AA or KK

Hi,

For some time now, I’ve been thinking on what’s the proper way to play starting hands like AA or KK as I oftentimes hear that normally with AA or KK you will either win a small pot or lose a big one. Well, I started thinking that because you rarely get such cards in the hole, probably these are actually not so good hands.

Consider what I have above, what if instead of following customary wisdom and betting such hands hard preflop to eventually clean up the field and reduce the number of players, why shouldn’t I just consider such like any small pair and then try to see the flop cheaply? In this way, I believe strength will remain kept and in case I flop a set I can have the opportunity to extract important value from the hand itself. In case I won’t flop the set, I can still have a feel as to where I stand. But more or less I have to muck on the turn, however at least I gave myself the opportunity to fight out.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Joey
Joey,

You can play the hand that way if you desire, but when you let multiple players in, you give them the same opportunity to draw out on you and chase after larger hands. If you are heads-up with one opponent, this is sometimes a decent strategy. Another option would be to limp into a pot that you know will be raised by an overly aggressive player. When they raise, you reraise them. Chances are they will go all in and you will be a big favorite.

What’s the Best Thing to Do?

Hello,

Do you think it is wise to switch your play from full table strategy to short table strategy or just go on based on concepts of full table in case you’re on the cusp between the two, say 6 or 7 players and two or three fold in front of you pre-flop?

Based on my own experience, most of the time I stack with my full table however once in a while I switch to short table strategy particularly when my starting hand comes with a face card. What’s your thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
James
James,

I tend to stay at full table strategy until I get to around 5 players or so. The only time I switch this is when I am a big chip leader, or I am playing with some particularly bad players. Otherwise, don’t risk your chips.

Lots of Questions

Hello,

I have lots of questions to ask. But before I begin, I would like first to congratulate you and thank you for this site which has been so nice and helpful.

Now, my questions are:

1. At the table, any specific actions or mannerisms you keep record of?
2. While in a hand, any questions you ask yourself?
3. Say bottom pair BB check or bet instead?
4. In tourney, when should one go all in or not with short stack?
5. What’s the best or most efficient way to catch a bluff?
6. Say small pocket pair middle position with or without raise before to your seat, what will you do?
7. In the event you’re up as the chip leader, see many pots several pots?

Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Cheers,
Raymond
Raymond,

High Cards in Early Position

Hi,

I’ve been into local free rolls in my place. Well, I play two or three times a week. Most of the time, I face bunch of players with various approaches.

Majority of the players I’ve encountered were loose type thus making it hard for me to steal pots even with a preflop raise and a continuation bet. On the better side, I still can make it to the final table in just almost half the time. There’s just one situation I can never forget.

In early position back then, I had a decent hand, AKs, AK, AQs, AQ. For approximately three times the BB I raised and then got several callers. Flop came but of no help. Later, turn came but of also no help to me, I haven’t made a hand still. At such point, I was in doubts if placing another bet will be a good move.

If you were me, will you place another bet? Well, personally I want to place another one to obtain more info. Also, if I was back in position, how would the situation change? Do you think for free card, I should just check it down to the river and then wait and see if other player place a bet on the river? What do you think?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
John
John,

If you are in position with this hand and raised preflop, you need to bet out on the flop and then if you are still in at the turn, bet out again. You need to take advantage of the position and try to force them out when they show weakness.

When Someone’s Busted Out

Hello,

Once you’ve said that in the event a player is busted out, the big blind going out should have a small blind on the button then followed by two big blinds in the next hand and a small blind on the button with a regular small and big blind on the hand after which. But I want to know if in the first hand after the bust out, will the player on button have to post two small blinds in a row?

What do you think?

Also, the new dealer is the one busted out by the big blind, it’s the small blind right?

Many thanks,
Alexis
Alexis,

A if a new player takes the spot that is supposed to be the small blind, then they must post the small blind.

About the Blinds

Hello,

Say a person is the next blind however is busted out immediately on the earlier hand, how will you assign then the small/big blind? For an instance, in the present hand, small blind is suddenly out then the deal goes to the player who paid the big blind, who no longer has the small blind position, who will put up the small or big blinds?

In smaller tables, things are more different. In an event with 4 players for the pot, big blind was busted out in an instant and so I was lead then to the small blind position for the following hand. Others at the table said I should put up both blinds, in addition to the present big blind position. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Matt
Matt,

The easy way to remember is this. If the big blind for the next hand busts out the prior hand, then the person that was supposed to be the small blind remains the small blind and the big blind moves to the next player after the busted player. In a situation where the person that was supposed to be the small blind busts out the prior hand, there will be no small blind the next hand and just the big blind. If the person that was supposed to be the dealer busts out the prior hand, the button freezes and the blinds go to the people that are supposed to post the blinds.

Possible Difficulties

Hi,

Say a player who is supposed to post a blind busts out on the earlier hand, any difficulties I have to consider in case blinds move to the next person?

Well, for me, in the event you just move the BB to the next person and put everything behind it like how it should be, nothing much to worry as all you have to do is occasionally not have a small blind that round.

I’m a type of person who wants to have an answer to all the challenges. I would like to know all the complications, difficulties, or the like that might appear along my way.

Thanks for your time.

All the best,
Lance
Lance,

If the person that was supposed to be the big blind busts out, then the big blind just moves to the next person at the table. If the person that was supposed to be the small blind busts, there is no small blind.

Meaning of “Kill”

Hello there!

I have a simple question. The term “kill”, what does it mean? I often encounter such term in poker books and sites.

By the way, your site is so helpful. Thanks!

Yours truly,
Steve Stewart
Steve,

There term “kill” refers to a pot where the stakes are double the prior hand. In some cash games in a casino, if the pot gets to a certain amount, the next hand is a kill pot. This means stakes are double the prior hand. The person that won the prior hand gets a kill button and posts the small kill bet amount. In a 3-6 game, the stakes would now be 6-12 and the kill button would post $6.