Poker Decadence Conference

It’s a very good place to start. When you a just starting out playing Hold’em you should be aware that a patient player is a profitable player. If you want to play in every hand you will lose money hand over fist. It is true that any two card can win. I have been beaten by 72 when holding KK, and have beaten AA when holding 23S. Obviously though this is not the norm. Some starting hands have a greater statistical chance of producing a winning hand.

If you hold the following, AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs, AKo, or AQs – RAISE. The fewer players you are up against the greater your chance of winning. Players with weak hands should and mostly will fold so you have a better idea of what you are up against. Obviously there are some caveats to this. Be sensible. Watch the other players. If someone who has practically folded every hand they have been dealt for the last hour raises a huge amount and you are holding JJ chances are they have AA or KK and you should leave well enough alone.

You can call with the following; TT, 99, 88, 77, AQo, AJs, ATs, KQs, KQo, KJs, QJs. If you can get in really cheap the middle suited connectors are also worth playing in the late position. But as with above, if that tight player makes a huge raise just fold. Folding is free unless you are in the blinds. Calling only to fold leter can get expensive.

When the flop hits how your hand has developed is in the hands of the poker gods and that is a subject for another time.