Part Five: Junk and what you shouldn't play

 

 

If you were only to play these hands for the rest of your poker playing days, you might not be in too bad of shape. Unfortunately if you were to play just these hands, you would become well know for your tight play and most likely would get very little action when you play. The point is however that you need to be extremely frugal in your hand selection while playing Texas Hold'em. These premium hands are the ones that time after time will win you money. They are consistent winners, which more importantly means that they win over the long haul. Read on for detailed information on each hand and some important tips:

 

Odds of being dealt: 220 to 1

Best against: Few opponents and weaker pairs

Things to watch for: Don't be afraid to let this hand go. Just because it is the best hand in the game doesn't mean it can't lose. Your ideal situation is two or three idiots with crappy hands. Your chances of winning are less and less against a large field. In order to lessen a large field, make sure you make players who are on the come (drawing) pay dearly to see the flop, turn and river. Play this hand strong and fast because usually in a low limit game, someone with a mediocre hand will follow you to the end.

 

Odds of being dealt this or higher: 110 to 1

Best against: Few opponents and weaker pairs

Things to watch for/tips: Two kings are nearly as strong as two aces with one big exception: Aces! The biggest thing to watch for with a pair of kings is stragglers who play AX in hopes of pairing the ace. If they do pair their ace, you are usually in trouble and are best to drop the hand. Kings are only slightly easier to get away from then Aces. Play this hand strong and fast and don't play around. More often than not you will punish vagrants who play AX but every now and then they will sneak one by you, so just keep your cool and play this hand with a level head.

 

Odds of being dealt this or higher: 72.5 to 1

Best against: Few opponents and weaker pairs

Things to watch for/tips: Queens are an incredibly strong hand but you need to realize that there you are now susceptible to Aces and Kings as over cards. With that in mind, you still need to play this hand very aggressively from the start. You will be able to tell pretty early if your hand is going to fair well or not. The biggest thing you need to watch for is over cards on the flop. You can win with over cards on the flop, but you need to proceed with more caution. Remember: raise pre flop and even re-raise against one raise, you must be aggresive because one overcard could be enough to beat your hand.

 

 

Odds of being dealt this or higher: 54.2 to 1

Best against: Few opponents and weaker pairs

Things to watch for/tips: Basically everything you need to watch for with queens with the exception that you are even more vunerable to over cards hitting the board. Play aggresivley but learn to realize that a pot raised three to four times is probably more than your Jacks can handle.

 

 

Odds of being dealt (not suited): 110 to 1

Odds of being dealt (suited): 331 to 1

Best against: Versatile hands, usuable against any size field

Things to watch for/tips: These are exceptionally powerful hands and they are going to win you a lot of money at the tables. Remember that although AK is strong, AK suited is that much better. With AK suited you increase your chances of winning simply because you increase your chances of making a flush. One important thing to remember with both of these hands however is that most of the time you are going to need help on the flop to make this hand a winner. If you don't pair on the flop or get a clear draw, its okay to let the hand go.