Posts Tagged ‘pre-flop’

Hand Percentages

Hi,

For once I used the 2/4 rule about post-flop percentages and it really helped me. But now I want to know if there is a short-cut way to calculate winning percentages pre-flop, what do you think?

Just recently I discovered that there are instances that multiplying your outs by 8 works. However at times, it seems not to work that much. For example, when you have a pocket pair vs. an over- and under-card (QQ vs. AJ). Well, I understand that there are some factors to consider first. For the most part, percentages are usually close. Your thoughts please.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Chester
Chester,

Invest in an odds calculator or create a chart to memorize preflop odds. Preflop is less about calculating odds as it is picking strong starting hands in proper position. If you need odds calculations to determine to play a particular starting hand, then you should probably fold.

On Odds

Hello,

Say in late position I started the hand with Js and 10c. Afterwards, everybody called. I also called and then flop appeared, Ah Qh 9s. I now have an open ended straight draw. Two out of five players who called pre-flop remains at such point. One player raised the other called. Then I called after I considered my odds and the pot odds. Turn came, 4h. Then same player raised. At such point maybe the other two guys have an ace and so I might win in case I draw the straight on the river. But I noticed three hearts were on the board and if either one of them has pocket hearts I will lose. Based on your probabilities chart there was a 1:4 chance of being dealt suited cards although I’m assuming the odds of being dealt suited hearts are 1:16. And with two or three players the odds that at least one of them has pocket hearts may be better than 1:16. Odds then were 1:4. I figured out with my open ended straight draw I have eight outs with about 1:6 odds of hitting it.

How do you think I can factor my opponents 1:4 odds of having a flush and beating me and my 1:6 odds of hitting the straight combined with the pot odds to ascertain whether or not I should call or fold?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Denz
Denz,

At the turn, with 8 outs, you have a 16% chance to hit your hand. If you don’t think your opponent has a flush, if the amount to call is 16% or less of the total pot, then take a shot at your draw. Otherwise, it is time to fold.

No Limit Cash Game and Tournament

Hi,

Just recently, I joined a no limit cash game and tournament. Well, I noticed that playing with cash chips is actually far different from playing with tournament chips. I noticed different typical pre-flop raises, different standards on what kinds of hands to bet, raise, or call, etc.

Luckily, I got a feel on good tournament strategy, however it was a different story when about cash games. I wasn’t able to get a feel on good cash game strategy. Any advice?

Your help will be much appreciated!

Thank you.

Regards,
Nick
Nick,

Cash games play a lot differently than tournaments. If a player busts out, they can buy back in. As a result you will see more drawing, and more play with speculative hands. One way you can play is a small ball method. This means seeing a lot of flops cheaply in the hopes to hit the flop hard. When you do hit, you can then punish your opponents.

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.

Very Loose and Aggressive Game

Hi,

I’m wondering if how do you normally decide to fire away or hit the breaks in cases where the game is very loose and aggressive, having lots of raises on pre-flop that often lead to flop.

When a player plays back at you, do you typically use stuff as flop structure and statistical understanding or just plainly read your opponent at the table?

Please help me. I hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Bryant
Bryant,

When I face a player playing back, a lot of my decision is based on the board, my image at the table, and my read of the opponent.

Playing With Loose Colleagues

Hello,

I love playing no limit holdem with some colleagues. Typically they’re a bit loose. Some loves to see the flop even if it’s already been raised and re-raised pre-flop particularly when blinds are cheap.

Well, to later have positive results that would favor on my side, I believe I should play a lot of sub-par hands to adjust to the overall game pace and not be pushed around. Investing some time even with marginal hands as bottom pair with a couple of far-fetched draws or middle pair without kicker can also be of great help.

One thing, do you have any advice for me as to when I should rather muck my hand and keep my money in games with my colleagues?

Thanks!

Regards,
Lord Ian
Ian,

I would play a lot of cheap flop. If you can get in without a raise or get into a multi way pot with your substandard hands, you can make money when you flop lucky. But do this sparingly. Otherwise, you will bleed off chips.

Choosing 6 7 Over Pocket Aces

Hello,

One time you said you’d prefer to play with 6,7 than pocket aces. Honestly, I can’t believe you you’d prefer playing with 6,7. Maybe you are into something. Maybe you want others to be worse in playing poker so you can destroy them. Well, if your intention was somewhat like that congratulations as you succeeded. Some players now believe calling a big bet pre-flop is okay with 6,7.

I’m sorry but I don’t mean to offend you or what. I know what you mean by saying you would rather play 6,7 however not everyone will understand what you are trying to imply. Also there’s a great possibility that some players will really choose 6, 7 than poker aces though it will lead them to horrible calls and cost them a lot of money.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
Beeler
Beeler,

I’m wondering if this is being taken out of context with something else. However, I wouldn’t call a big raise with 6-7. Some will in order to try and crack aces. If you are trying to crack aces, 9-10 is a much better ace cracking hand due to the array of straights it can make.

Various Questions

Hi,

What if the table is finally down to two players, who will be dealt first? Will it be the button? If so, why? And in the event the tournament is down to the final two players, who will be in the big blind? Will it be the dealer or the non-dealer?

By the way, what’s the order of play pre-flop and post-flop? Any idea?

Thank you in advance!

Regards,
Holcombe
Holcombe,

The player not holding the button is dealt first. The player holding the button will be the small blind and the other player the big blind. Preflop, the dealer button will actually act first in heads-up play. For the rest of the hand, the button will act last.

What Should I do When I have KK?

Hello,

Most of the time, when I play KK pre-flop, I get series of bad beats. So now I’m wondering, is it wise to go all-in or call all-in with all my stack or else just fold and then hope for a much better hand?

Another thing, I don’t like calling all-in pre-flop and would just choose to wait for the flop for me to eventually make further sound decisions. Any insights on this?

Thank you very much.

Kirk
Kirk,

Calling all-in preflop with kings is a solid decision. I would do so and let the cards fall as they may.