Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – Early Position Standards Posted on Thu Aug 23, 2007 01:07:19 PM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le They said it couldn’t be done They !eaning !e A starting starting hand chart "or no#li!it$ %an’t be done There are too !any &ariables For as long as '’&e been (riting about )o*er, '’&e had a lo&e+hate relationshi) (ith starting hand charts Mostly s*e(ed to(ards hate They are, by their nature, uite i!)recise -et -et they ha&e an a n air o" "au. )recision about the! that i!)els so!e )eo)le to uote the! as gos)el /o !atter ho( !any disclai!ers ' )ut in about ho( this is ust a guide or suggestion, and good )layers (ill alter the )lays "ro! this chart based on situational &ariables, yada yada, ' see o&er and o&er again )eo)le saying, aising is bad because d Miller’s chart "ro! "our years ago said to li!)4 5gh 6ut ' do also lo&e the! ' thin* "or !any )layers they do !ore good than har! They gi&e )eo)le con"idence and )oint the! in the right direction 5sed correctly, a starting hand chart can be a big boost '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' got this uestion "ro! ayne: '’&e been doing a lot o" reading on / and belie&e ' a! starting to absorb so!e o" the conce)ts ' ust bought Pro"essional / ;olde! and (ill start reading that shortly shortly 5n"ortunately, ' "eel li*e ' a! learning the ga!e bac*(ards &en though ' 5n"ortunately, ha&e a reasonable understanding o" !any o" the )ost "lo) conce)ts, ' ha&e absolutely no idea (hich hands to )lay "ro! &arious )ositions, ho( !uch to raise, (hat hands to call a raise (ith, (hat hands to re#raise (ith etc< )re"lo) hen ' learned li!it "ro! ==;, ' used the starting hand charts as a basis "or !y )lay and slo(ly !ade adust!ents o&er ti!e to isolate (ea* )layers, steal !ore o"ten, )lays so!e e.tra hands (hen condition (arranted etc< ' "eel li*e a need so!e *ind o" coo*ie cutter )re "lo) standards to hel) !e get going, but (hen '’&e loo*ed at the ;arrington boo* and Theory and Practice, the standards are di""erent enough to *ee) !e lost %an you gi&e !e so!e ad&ice on ho( ' could build a starting hand chart ust to get through the "irst "e( !onths o" )lay so ' don’t !a*e any terrible !ista*es$ And ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost
i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head This )ost is )art o" the Poer !ade Sim"le series As (ith the other articles in the series, the e!)hasis here (ill be on solid conce)ts and ease o" understanding '’! not going to tal* about e&ery e.ce)tion, condition, con dition, or )ossibility )ossibility My goal is to build a basic, ser&iceable starting hand chart that shouldn’t get )eo)le into too !uch trouble in the (orst o" circu!stances -ou -ou (on’t "ind the ;oly @rail here et’s get on (ith the chart#building For the chart '’ll assu!e (e’re )laying 10#handed and that the stac*s are !ostly roughly 10066 '" you )lay #handed, you can still use the chart, ust start (ith the later )ositions The stac* si8e assu!)tion is i!)ortant, because di""erent si8es can change hand &alues drastically arly )osition is the "irst "our s)ots, that is, "ro! "our to se&en o"" the button 'n general, you si!)ly don’t #ant to "lay in early "osition 't (ill lea&e you out o" )osition and &ulnerable "or the re!ainder o" the hand 'n )articular, you don’t (ant to call raises "ro! early )osition /ot only does a raise increase the sta*es >(hile you’re in a )recarious )osition?, but it also gi&es the initiati&e to another )layer and escalates the )ost"lo) betting 6eing out o" )osition starts you at an in"or!ation de"icit Then (ith escalated betting, you !ay ha&e only one or at !ost t(o )ost"lo) bets to "igure out (here you’re at4 be"ore you ha&e to co!!it to your hand %o!bined, these "actors (ill lea&e you o"ten guessing in tough decisions, (hich is decidedly not ho( you !a*e !oney at no#li!it The ans(er is si!)ly not to )lay =o!e hands are so good that you can (in (ith the! des)ite the )roble!s 6ut !ost aren’t That includes so!e good#loo*ing hands li*e A B or A T or T 9 Cut o" )osition these hands (ill bring you headaches, not )ro"its A&oid the! =o (hat is (orth )laying$ Poc*et )airs >u) to and including deuces? are &irtually al(ays (orth )laying i" no one has raised yet And usually they’ll be (orth it "or a single nor!al#si8ed raise Ace#*ing is also (orth )laying ' tend also to to )lay ADs#AT ADs#ATs, EDs, and ADo C"ten ' "old e&en Ao and EDo, and since '’d li*e this chart chart to be nice and conser&ati&e out o" )osition, '’ll '’ll reco!!end you "old the! here too 6e"ore (e go any "urther, ' (ant to debun* a co!!on no#li!it !yth There are t(o (ords that ha&e al!ost !agical !eaning to !any no#li!it )layers, encouraging the! to )lay any and all hands as long as the stac*s are dee) enough They are i!)lied odds4 The thought )rocess goes li*e this: =ure, T B isn’t a &ery good hand 6ut e&ery once in a (hile it’ll !a*e a !onster And i" ' catch so!eone (ith to) )air (hen ' "lo), say sa y, t(o )air, tri)s, or a straight, '’ll (in a (ho))er that (ill !a*e u) "or all the little )re"lo) bets ' lose (hen ' !iss4 “
't’s an alluring thought And it can be used to usti"y )laying nearly any hand han d there is 5n"ortunately,, the logic is basically bogus hy$ 5n"ortunately ell, the goal o" (inning )o*er is to get an edge o&er your o))onents hene&er you thin* about )laying a hand, don’t thin* about ho( you could (in (ith the hand, thin* about ho( it (ill gi&e you an ad&antage &eryone gets dealt t(o cards ;o( do your t(o cards gi&e you enough o" a leg u) on the co!)etition that you’ll beat the ra*e on a&erage$
=ay you )layed (ith 10,00066 stac*s >no( that’s dee)? Theoretically, e&en 72 could "lo) a big hand o"ten enough to turn a )ro"it i" you !anaged to stac* your o))onents !ost o" the ti!e 6ut i" you’re (inning (ith 72, then (hat are your o))onents doing (ith T or DD or E$ Are they all (inning too$ Goes e&eryone (in once the stac*s are dee) enough$ C" course not Po*er is 8ero su! >less than that i" there’s a ra*e? '" you are a long#ter! (inner on a&erage (ith your hand, then so!eone else !ust necessarily be a long#ter! loser (ith theirs '" you ha&e 72, then (hat hands are you &icti!i8ing$ ell, it is indeed )ossible to !a*e !oney (ith 72 (ith a dee) stac*, but you need so!ething beyond your cards to build that edge "or you Cne thing you can do is concentrate on building bigger )ots (ith your (inning hands and losing s!aller )ots (ith your losing ones That is one (ay to generate an edge Another (ay is to steal =ince 72 (ill !a*e a hand less o"ten than your o))onents’ hands, you need to steal a lot !ore to co!)ensate =o sure, any t(o cards can !a*e a hand and (in a big )ot 6ut each o" your o))onents gets t(o cards too, and that’s e.actly (hat they’re thin*ing, '" ' !a*e a big hand, ' can (in a big )ot4 That’s not (here your !aor edge is going to be -ou’re going to steal s!arter -ou’re going to steal !ore o"ten And you’re going to (in !ore (ith your !ediu!#strength >eg, t(o )air? hands than they do =o (hat’s the )oint$ The )oint is that out o" )osition (ith bad cards, you don’t ha&e an edge -our o))onents ha&e cards too, and they ha&e )osition on you 't’s easy to get seduced by i!)lied odds4 and )lay s!all cards out o" )osition, but the reality is that those i!)lied odds are !ostly illusory '" you’re in early )osition, ust "old -ou’ll sa&e yoursel" a lot o" grie" =o '’ll reco!!end )laying )oc*et )airs, AE, AD, and so!e o" the big suited hands in early )osition Cccasionally you can !i. it u) (ith a hand li*e T9s, but basically stic* to those hands 'n the ne$t installment o% the Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart series, ' tal* about (hen and (hy to raise or li!), ho( to choose a raise si8e, and then ha!!er out the chart suggestions "or early )osition
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – Playing in Early Position Posted on Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:HI:03 PM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst )art o" the series Early Position Standards ast ti!e out, ' reco!!ended that in early )osition >the "irst "our seats o" a 10#handed ga!e?,
you )lay any )oc*et )air, AE, AD, As, ATs, and EDs ' had you "olding e&erything else, e.ce)t occasionally !i.ing this range u) by )laying a s!all suited connector 'n this install!ent, '’ll tal* about ho( to )lay those hands J (hether to li!) in or to raise >and i" so, ho( !uch? The 6asics -ou are &ulnerable in early )osition, e&en (ith a strong hand Playing 10066 stac*s, a to) )air or an o&er)air !ay not be a strong enough hand to co!!it your entire stac* on a "a&orable#loo*ing "lo) '" your o))onents are tough enough to test you (ith big bets and se!iblu""s (hen they ha&e )osition, you !ay (ant to )lay conser&ati&ely u) "ront, e&ent (ith the to) hands 'ndeed, ' (ant to dis)ell a "e( no#li!it !yths right no( C)en#li!)ing is not necessarily a bad )lay 't’s not necessarily a bad )lay e&en i" you ha&e )oc*et aces =o!e )eo)le say, C)en# li!)ing (ith aces is stu)id because you’re ust as*ing so!eone (ith trash to "lo) t(o )air and stac* you4 The )roble! (ith that state!ent is the second )art, and stac* you4 '" you li!) in (ith )oc*et aces, the (hole idea o" the )lay is to !a*e sure you don’t lose a big )ot (ith ust an o&er)air 'n a li!)ed )re"lo) )ot (ith 10066 stac*s, generally s)ea*ing you need to hit the "lo) >usually either by catching another ace or a nut "lush dra(? to )lay "or your stac* =o li!)ing in (ith aces is )retty bad i" you are (illing to de"end any old o&er)air (ith your (hole stac* 6ut i" you aren’t, then it can be an o* )lay in early )osition The sa!e goes "or the o"ten#!aligned !in#raise Ma*ing a 266 raise isn’t necessarily a don* )lay4 any !ore than li!)ing in is 'n "act, ' !in#raise "ro! early )osition (ith so!e "reuency @enerally s)ea*ing, i" you !in#raise (ith a big )oc*et )air, you si!ilarly shouldn’t co!!it your (hole stac* (ith ust an o&er)air Playing the 6ig ;ands C*, bac* to the !ain discussion -ou are in early )osition and are stic*ing to )re!iu! hands ;o( should you )lay the!$ -ou ha&e t(o !aor considerations: 1 -ou (ant to )rotect yoursel" and your stac* since you are out o" )osition 2 -ou (ant to get &alue "ro! your )re!iu! hand First, assu!e that your o))onents are (ea* and unli*ely to test you (ith big bets and blu""s For instance, say you "lo) to) )air (ith AE, !a*e a )ot#si8ed bet, and get raised the )ot '" you can be "airly con"ident that you are, on a&erage, a big underdog once you get raised big, then you don’t ha&e !uch to (orry about -ou can )lay aggressi&ely )re"lo) by o)ening "or a solid raise ;o( big the raise can be de)ends on (hat your o))onents (ill call 'n so!e ga!es >)articularly in online ga!es? )layers (ill be sensiti&e to raise si8e and !ay not call a raise bigger than about 3H66 or I66 '" that’s the case, raise that '" you’re )laying in a looser ga!e (here )eo)le (ill call 66 or e&en B66 raises, then raise that 6ecause your o))onents are ti!id and (on’t test you a"ter the "lo), you can get !a.i!u! &alue "or your )re!iu! hands e&en "ro! early )osition /o( assu!e your o))onents are the o))osite They are (ild and !a*e big raises and calls )ost"lo) (ith (ea* hands and dra(s -ou still ha&e nothing to "ear, because you can no( sa"ely co!!it your stac* (ith to) )air or an o&er)air i" you get challenged a"ter the "lo) =o again, you can !a*e a solid raise, as big as your o))onents are li*ely to call '" your o))onents are tric*y, ho(e&er, and can )ut you in di""icult )ost"lo) situations (hen you ha&e ust a )air, then you should be !ore care"ul =tart li!)ing or !a*ing !in#raises (hen
you o)en "ro! early )osition Again, you do this to a&oid getting stac*ed a"ter the "lo) -ou also do it "or dece)tion hen you li!) or !in#raise, your o))onents are less li*ely to gi&e you credit "or a strong hand, and you’ll "ind yoursel" getting raised >or reraised i" you !in# raised? !ore o"ten than i" you had o)ened "or a larger a!ount @enerally, you can reraise (ith your strong hands >AA#DD and AE at least? And you can reraise so!eti!es (ith your (ea*er hands li*e as (ell, es)ecially i" the )erson (ho raised you is a loose raiser The =!all and Mediu! Poc*et Pairs et’s tal* about the s!all and !ediu! )airs "or a !o!ent Playing these hands does t(o things "or you: 1 't balances your hand range so you don’t al(ays ha&e big cards (hen you )lay u) "ront 2 't allo(s you to "lo) sets and (in big )ots occasionally Abo&e, ' reco!!ended that against (ea* )layers you !a*e big raises (ith your big early )osition hands hat about the s!all and !ediu! )airs$ -ou don’t (ant a huge )ot (ith a s!all )air, since usually you’ll "old on the "lo) =o you don’t (ant a huge raise either 6ut you !ight (ant to !a*e a s!all raise rather than li!), because it could !a*e it easier to (in a big )ot i" you s(eeten4 it so!e(hat (ith a s!all )re"lo) raise The 6otto! ine Against bad )layers, you (ant to !a*e big raises >as !uch as the table is generally calling? (ith big hands This is true (hether your o))onents are ti!id and "old too !uch )ost"lo) or they are cra8y and get all#in too o"ten (ith bad hands -ou (ant to li!) or !a*e a s!all raise >266#366 or so? (ith s!all and !ediu! )airs /aturally, !a*ing di""erent#si8ed raises (ith di""erent hands can be a gi&ea(ay to an obser&ant )layer =o disguise your general )lan J so!eti!es !in#raise (ith )oc*et aces or !a*e it I66 (ith )oc*et "i&es '" your o))onents are barely obser&ant, then you barely ha&e to disguise your )lan e!e!ber, you (on’t be )laying !uch "ro! early )osition, so your o))onents (on’t ha&e !any data )oints on you to "or! a )attern '" you )lay ust a "e( hundred hands (ith so!eone, they’ll be hard#)ressed to "igure out ho( you si8e your early )osition raises '" your o))onents are tougher and use )osition (ell enough to )ut you in di""icult situations )ost#"lo), then )lay !ore cautiously i!) and !a*e s!all raises >266#366 again? (ith all o" your hands Also de"ault to this strategy i" your o))onents are obser&ant and you’re (orried that s)reading your raises is ti))ing your hand '" you get raised, then reraise usually (ith your big hands >AA#DD and AE? and so!eti!es (ith (ea*er hands >)articularly s!all )airs? '" a tough )layer (ho has )osition on you raises, you !ay e&en thro( a(ay the (ea*est o" your hands >eg, AD, As, ATs, EDs? 'n general, a&oid lim"ingmin-raising and then calling a raise (ehind you e!e!ber, no#li!it is an e.tre!ely co!)le. ga!e, and these reco!!endations are in no (ay !eant to o&erride a situation#by#situation analysis o" each hand 't’s !erely a general )lan that should get you started on the right trac*
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – !iddle Position Standards Posted on Thu =e) 13, 2007 07:H3:1H PM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst t(o )arts o" the series: •
Early Position Standards
•
Playing )n Early Position
' reco!!ended )laying &ery tightly in early )osition >the "irst "our seats o" a 10#handed ga!e?, suggesting you )lay only any )oc*et )air, AE, AD, As, ATs, and EDs 'n !iddle )osition >the ne.t t(o seats a"ter early )osition?, ' still reco!!end you )lay tight, but i" your ga!e is good you can !i. things u) ust a bit ' call !iddle )osition the t(o seats a"ter the "our early )osition seats That is, they are the seats t(o and three o"" the button This corres)onds to 5T@ and 5T@K1 in a #!a. ga!e '’ll brea* !y reco!!endations do(n into three categories: i" you’re o)ening the )ot, i" you’re )laying a"ter one or !ore li!)ers, and i" you’re )laying against a raise '" -ou’re C)ening the Pot &eryone in "ront o" you has "olded ither it’s because !ulti)le )eo)le "olded in a ring ga!e, or because you’re "irst to act in a shorthanded ga!e Mathe!atically s)ea*ing, the situations are identical 'n )ractice, they can )lay a little di""erently because "ull ring )layers generally ha&e di""erent e.)ectations and )laystyles "ro! #!a. )layers 6ut that’s not al(ays the case, and in any e&ent, you should al(ays tailor your )lay to ho( your o))onents )lay, not ho( !any o))onents started the hand -ou’re in a little better situation o)ening the )ot "ro! !iddle )osition than you are "ro! early )osition "or three reasons: 1 't’s !ore li*ely that the hand (ill end u) (ith you )laying in )osition against ust the blinds 2 't’s !ore li*ely that you’ll steal the blinds i" you gi&e a little raise 3 't’s less li*ely you’ll run into a !onster hand Cb&iously, it’s also !ore li*ely that you’ll )lay second#to#last in a !ulti(ay )ot, and so "orth For that reason, ' o)en u) !y standards a bit 'n !ost ga!es, in addition to )oc*et )airs, AE, AD, As, ATs, and EDs, '’ll add A, ED, AT, Es, Ds, and A9s#ABs 'n so!e ga!es, '’ll !ostly sto) there '’ll sto) (hen loose and tough )layers are behind !e, and they aren’t letting !e
get heads#u) (ith the blinds li*e ' (ant to be hen ' o)en (ith a (ea*ish hand "ro! !iddle )osition, ' de"initely (ant a decent chance to )lay in )osition against the blinds '" that’s unli*ely, then ' (ant really bad )layers behind !e '" ' ha&e loose and tough )layers, '’ll ty)ically )ass on all the !arginal stu"" /ote that the !arginal stu"" includes so!e )o)ular hands li*e (ea* suited aces and s!all and !ediu! suited connectors These can be good no#li!it hands, but they tend to )lay )oorly out o" )osition in raised )ots against tough )layers =ince you’re out o" )osition, you (on’t ha&e the ty)ical blu""ing euity you !ight nor!ally ha&e And the stac*s (on’t be the right si8e to try to !a*e a hand and (in a !onster C&erall, you’ll end u) in too !any a(*(ard situations '" '’! not as (orried about the )layers behind !e, either because they are tight or because they )lay badly, then ' tend to o)en (ith suited aces and suited connectors also, as (ell as so!e o" the (ea*er big card hands li*e ETs, E, and so "orth ' o"ten a&oid these hands e&en in good ga!es in early )osition, since it’s ust too li*ely '’ll run into a big hand and+or end u) in an undesirable )ost"lo) situation =o ' o)en in !iddle )osition (ith AA#22, AE#AT, ED, A9s#ABs, Es, and Ds And i" the ga!e is so"t, '’ll add A7s#A2s, Ts#HIs, E, ETs, and a "e( !ore hands "or "la&or '" -ou’re Playing A"ter Cne or More i!)ers The !ain di""erence here, ob&iously, is that you ha&e less chance to (in )re"lo) (ithout a "ight, and !ore chance that you’ll end u) )laying a !ulti(ay )ot As a "irst a))ro.i!ation, you can ado)t the sa!e standards as abo&e and then adust the! so!e(hat de)ending on (ho has entered the )ot and (hat the ga!e is li*e That is, i" a really bad )layer has entered the )ot, you !ight loosen u) >and e&en raise all o" your hands to isolate? !ore than you (ould i" you (ere "irst to enter And i" a really tight )layer has entered, you !ight s*i) the (ea*er big card hands >eg, ABs or E? "or "ear o" being do!inated >Though you !ight )lay the! any(ay i" the tight )layer is also )redictable enough that you (on’t lose !uch (ith a second# best *ic*er? 5n"ortunately, it’s hard to co!e u) (ith "ir! adust!ents to the hand range (hen li!)ers ha&e entered ust because li!)ers can change the co!)le.ion o" a hand in nu!erous and di""ering (ays 6ut the no li!)ers hand range is indeed a reasonable try Cne !inor thing '’ll )oint out be"ore !o&ing on ' signi"icantly )re"er the higher suited connectors to the lo(er ones i" ' "eel a !ulti(ay )ot is bre(ing ' thin* T9s has a "e( little )er*s that HIs !isses out on: •
•
•
/ot e&ery )ot you (in (ill be either a !onster or a steal =o!eti!es e&en in !ulti(ay )ots, you’ll "lo) a )air and ta*e it do(n -ou’re a lot !ore li*ely to beat "our o))onents i" you "lo) a T to T9 than i" you "lo) a I to HI -ou’re a lot !ore li*ely to end u) on the good end o" "lush#o&er#"lush (ith T9s than you are (ith HIs 't doesn’t ha))en that o"ten, but they can be big )ots and there"ore big s(ings 6igger suited connectors can ha&e intangible4 ad&antages also They tend to connect (ith !ore threatening "lo)s than the s!aller connectors =o!eone (ith AA is going to "ear a TB "lo) a lot !ore than a I2 "lo) That can be good and bad "or your hand, but since connectors (in a lot o" their &alue by stealing, it’s )robably a net )ositi&e to be able to )ush harder on scarier boards
A little anecdote about big &ersus s!all suited connectors ust today ' )layed a hand (here '
had B 7 ' had o)ened "or a raise "ro! !iddle )osition, and ' got called by the button and a blind The "lo) ca!e A 9 H ' bet about hal" the )ot and got called by both )layers >' )robably should ha&e bet !ore because they (ould call that bet (ith a lot o" hands? The E ca!e on the turn, and ' decided to ta*e another shot at the )ot (ith about a t(o#thirds )ot bet ' got called by the button The ri&er (as the , so ' !issed entirely ' chec*ed My o))onent chec*ed behind and sho(ed 3 2 "or another busted straight# and#"lush co!bination dra( =ince !y eight )layed, ' (on the )ot '" -ou’re Playing Against a aise Tighten u)L Cne )layer has already announce a good hand, and i" you call, you could easily get sand(iched bet(een the raiser and one or !ore )layers (ith )osition on you This is an unen&iable situation, and uite "ran*ly, you usually need a strong hand to get &alue out o" it 5nless the raise is unco!!only large, ' still )lay any )oc*et )air, because )oc*et )airs are incredibly strong hands ' also still )lay AE Ge)ending on the raiser, ' !ight sto) there Cr ' !ight add AD, As, EDs, and )erha)s e&en a cou)le !ore hands 6ut that’s about it -ou’re as*ing "or big trouble i" you )lay loosely "ro! !iddle )osition against a raise =)eci"ically, )lease do yoursel" a "a&or and don’t )lay (ea* suited aces or suited connectors -ou’re too li*ely to end u) in a big )ot, out o" )osition and suee8ed 't’s bad ne(s /o( occasionally you’ll "ind so!eone (ho !a*es little din*y raises that don’t carry !uch !ore !eaning than a li!) Against one o" those raises, you can !ostly treat it as i" you (ere )laying against li!)ers 6ut !ost )layers don’t !a*e those raises, and e&en i" your o))onent is loose and aggressi&e, they still can !a*e a hand, and you are still sand(iched bet(een the raiser and )otential callers All#in#all, ' thin* !any )layers )lay too loose "or their o(n good "ro! !iddle )osition Fro! t(o and three seats o"" the button, there’s still a good chance you’ll end u) )laying out o" )osition '" your ga!e is so"t and you ha&e good )ost"lo) control and hand#reading, then you can (ade in (ith so!e !arginal hands 6ut i" there are so!e shar) )layers behind you, )lay barely looser than you do in early )osition This is true (hether you’re )laying in a "ull ring ga!e (here a "e( )eo)le ha&e "olded, or i" you’re 5T@ or 5T@K1 in a #!a. ga!e 'n the ne$t installment , ' tal* about ho( to )lay these hands "ro! !iddle )osition J (hether to li!) (ith the! or raise >and ho( !uch?, and (hether to call a )re"lo) raise or )ut in a reraise
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – Playing in !iddle Position Posted on ed =e) 19, 2007 11:19:30 AM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile
the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst three )arts o" the series: •
Early Position Standards
•
Playing )n Early Position
•
!iddle Position Standards
e!e!ber "ro! the "irst )art that (e’re assu!ing that (e’re )laying in a 10#handed ga!e (here !ost )layers ha&e a))ro.i!ately 10066 stac*s '" the stac* si8es (ere substantially di""erent, then the reco!!endations !ight be substantially di""erent also 'n a #handed ga!e, !iddle )osition re)resents the "irst t(o seats, and you can use these reco!!endations as i" you (ere )laying 10#handed and the early )osition )layers had "olded 'n the last section, (e bro*e the reco!!endations into three grou)s: o)ening the )ot, )laying against li!)ers, and )laying against a raise e’ll do the sa!e here '" -ou’re C)ening the Pot hen o)ening the )ot "ro! !iddle )osition, ' reco!!end generally that you raise ' !ade a si!ilar reco!!endation "or early "osition "lay, but it’s !ore co!)elling "ro! !iddle )osition "or se&eral reasons: •
-ou’re less li*ely to run into a big hand
•
-ou ha&e a better chance to (in the blinds
•
-ou ha&e a better chance to )lay the hand in )osition against the blinds
ith !ost o" the hands you !ight o)en "ro! !iddle )osition, you’d li*e either to (in the blinds or to )lay in )osition in a raised )ot The (orst case is that you get reraised by so!eone behind you callers behind you is another un(anted scenario 6e"ore ' continue, ' (ant to !a*e one )oint =ay you ha&e B7s, and the )layer in the big blind li*es to de"end (ith a (ide range o" hands against )re"lo) raises -ou ha&e t(o choices "ro! (hich you can "reely choose -ou can li!) in and )lay the hand heads#u) against the big blind, or you can raise to 3#I66 and )lay against ust the big blind hich (ould you choose$ =o!e )eo)le !ight )re"er the li!)ed )ot because B7s is a s)eculati&e hand, so they’d "igure they’d (ant to ris* as little as )ossible be"ore the "lo) ', ho(e&er, (ould generally )re"er the raised )ot hy$ ' ha&e )osition 'n no#li!it, your cards are only one )art o" the )ro"itability euation The situation4 is another i!)ortant )art The situation is a co!bination o" your o))onent’s hand range, the betting, ho( !uch ris* your o))onent li*es to ta*e, and !ore '" the situation is su""iciently good, you can turn a )ro"it (ith any hand, and ha&ing cards (ith &alue ust adds a little so!ething e.tra ' li*e the raised )ot because it )roduces !ore )ro"itable situations =ince ' ha&e )osition, '’ll (in !ore o"ten '’ll steal !ore hands And there"ore ' ha&e !ore euity in the )ot >and (ant it bigger? /ot only that, but (ith the 10066 stac* si8es, a !odestly#raised )ot tends to set u) situations (here ' can e.ert a lot o" )ressure on !y o))onent a"ter one or t(o bets Maybe !y cards, B7s, (ould )re"er to see the "lo) chea)ly, but that "actor ta*es a bac*seat to the )ro"itable situation o" )laying in )osition in a raised )ot >This logic doesn’t hold against so!e o))onents, but ' "ind it’s true against !ost? =o that’s a !aor reason ' li*e raising For the abo&e reasons, ' also don’t s)read !y raise
si8es as !uch "ro! !iddle )osition ' don’t ha&e to be as cautious about running into a big hand or bad situation, and '’! !ore co!"ortable building a slightly bigger )ot because ' ha&e a better chance to )lay the hand in )osition Ty)ically '’ll raise so!e(here bet(een 3 and I66 (hen ' o)en '" the table standard4 raise is higher than that, and ' ha&e a hand ' don’t !ind )laying an e&en bigger )ot (ith, '’ll raise u) to or e&en slightly !ore than the standard 'n this situation, SP* )lays a signi"icant role in !y raise#si8ing decision =o basically, i" ' o)en the )ot, ' do it "or a raise, usually in the 3#I66 range, but so!eti!es !ore de)ending on ga!e conditions '" -ou’re Playing A"ter Cne or More i!)ers '" there’s one li!)er, '’! also li*ely to raise 'n this situation, it’s e&en !ore li*ely '’ll get to )lay the hand in )osition >though less li*ely '’ll steal the blinds? '’ll generally !a*e it I#H66, slightly !ore, because !ore )layers and !oney are in the )ot Against t(o or !ore li!)ers, '’ll so!eti!es li!) along as (ell To bac*trac* a bit, i" the li!)ers and+or big blind are tight and !ight "old o"ten to a raise, then '’ll generally again raise all !y hands, increasing the si8e to account "or the li!)ers 6ut i" the li!)ers and big blind are li*ely to call >setting u) a I# or !ore#(ay )ot?, then ' (on’t raise e&ery hand any!ore 'n this situation, !y decision is strongly guided by =P considerations ith a hand li*e a suited ace or suited connector, '’ll content !ysel" to )lay (ith a high =P and ust li!) ith a big card hand li*e a big )air or AE, '’ll ty)ically raise an a!ount that (ill )roduce a co!"ortable =P i" ' get the e.)ected nu!ber o" callers That nu!ber can change de)ending on the stac* si8es and e.actly ho( !any callers ' e.)ect, but #B66 (ith se&eral e.)ected callers and 10066 stac*s (ill )roduce an =P in the 3#H range (hich "its the bill '" ' can get a(ay (ith it, '’ll also !a*e s!aller raises (ith )oc*et )airs 't’s easier to stac* so!eone in a raised )ot than in a li!)ed one, and (ith )oc*et )airs in !ulti(ay )ots, '’! de"initely loo*ing to stac* so!eone ' don’t (ant to gi&e a(ay !y hand (ith !y raise si8e, so ' try these shenanigans only against )layers ' "eel con"ident (on’t decode !y )lay ' also don’t do it (ith aggressi&e or un)redictable )layers still around, because ' don’t (ant to get reraised ' sa&e the )lay "or (hen ' can "airly )redictably e.)ect nothing but calls all around '" your o))onents are shar) and can "igure out that you’re !a*ing big raises (ith big hands and s!all raises or li!)s (ith s!all hands, then s(itch it u) enough to con"use anyone (ho !ight be )aying attention i!) (ith a hand li*e AE or raise (ith a suited connector '" -ou’re Playing Against a aise '" you read the last "art, you’re already "olding !ost o" your hands in this dangerous situation '" !y hand is strong enough to )lay, ' tend ust to call i" '’! the "irst into the )ot a"ter the raise 't’s a dicey situation to be )laying against a raise on your right and !ulti)le un*no(n hands on your le"t -ou ris* getting suee8ed eraising tends to lea&e you uite &ulnerable (ith a (ea* hand, and i" you reraise only (ith AA and EE you’ll be &ery )redictable '’ll reraise !ore o"ten i" the raiser is loose or i" other )layers at the table are loose >)articularly i" they !ight call the reraise cold (ith a (ea* hand? and+or )redictable 5n"ortunately, it’s hard to gi&e a good rule because )lay al(ays beco!es situational uic*ly once one o" your o))onents raises, but ' thin* i" you’re in doubt, ' )re"er calling '" one or !ore )layers has called the raise already, ho(e&er, then the dead !oney !a*es reraising !ore attracti&e A"ter a raise and a call or t(o, ' tend to reraise AE, other big hands, and also so!eti!es s!all hands li*e T9s ith )oc*et )airs >not the biggest ones? ' so!eti!es reraise and so!eti!es call since )oc*et )airs )lay e.cellently in raised, !ulti(ay
)ots, calling is still a strong o)tion 6ut it’s not the only o)tion, as reraising to collect the dead !oney is still (orth considering =o against a raise, "irst, tighten u)L Cnce you’&e done that, i" you’re "irst in a"ter the raiser, tend ust to call since you’re in a &ulnerable situation and you don’t (ant to e.)ose yoursel" to a huge )ot '" your o))onents are &ery loose and you ha&e a strong hand, though, you can reraise "or &alue des)ite your )oor )osition '" you’re )laying a"ter a raise and one or !ore calls, o"ten reraise ith )oc*et )airs, ho(e&er, you ha&e a choice to !a*e because both calling and reraising (ill li*ely generate "a&orable outco!es, and you ha&e to decide (hich you )re"er in your gi&en situation
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – Cuto%% Standards Posted on Mon Cct 01, 2007 03:3:IH PM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst "our )arts o" the series: •
Early Position Standards
•
Playing )n Early Position
•
!iddle Position Standards
•
Playing )n !iddle Position
The cuto"" is li*e the button .ce)t it’s not the button There’s a )layer bet(een you and the button Ge)ending on ho( they )lay, the character o" the cuto"" can change a lot '" the button is tight, then you can )lay the cuto"" !ore or less li*e it’s the button >loose and aggressi&e? =o!eti!es you’ll get caught (ith your )ants do(n i" the button )ic*s u) a good hand 6ut i" they are truly tight, then you’ll li*ely !a*e u) "or those bad outco!es by getting a second button hand )er round e&ery other ti!e Ty)ically you’re )laying t(o blind hands to ha&e the o))ortunity to )lay once on the button '" you get to )lay t(ice on the button, that’s terri"ic Most buttons aren’t tight Cr, at the &ery least, they (ill inter"ere "airly o"ten in your button# grabbing )lans =o '’ll (rite the rest o" this article assu!ing that the button )layer is reasonably li*ely to enter the )ot, but not al!ost guaranteed to do so '" -ou’re C)ening The Pot The cuto"" is a "le.ible )osition The better control you ha&e o&er your o))onents, and the bigger your hand#reading edge o&er the!, the looser you can )lay Potentially, i" it’s "olded to you, the button isn’t too (orriso!e, and the blinds are bad, you can )lay a ton o" hands, )erha)s H0 or !ore For this series, though, '’ll go conser&ati&e 6ut reali8e that there’s a lot
o" lee(ay once (e get to the cuto"" and button &en conser&ati&ely, you can o)en (ith a lot o" hands Any )oc*et )air, any t(o cards both ten or higher >eg, D T ?, any suited ace, decent o""suit aces >do(n to !aybe AB or so?, suited connectors do(n to HIs or Bs or D9s or E9s >these boundary hands are so!e(hat arbitrary?, and )erha)s so!e o""suit connectors do(n to !aybe 9Bo or so That’s a decent de"ault o)ening range Again, you can )lay !uch looser under o)ti!al conditions, and you !ight ha&e to tighten u) a bit under ad&erse circu!stances Again, that range (as: 22K, A2sK, E9sK, D9sK, HIsK, BsK, ABoK, EToK, DToK, 9BoK '" -ou’re Playing A"ter Cne Cr More i!)ers ' (ouldn’t change the abo&e range too !uch due to li!)ers 'n general, the !ore !ulti(ay the )ot is, the !ore &alue being suited has, and the (ea*er o""suit high card hands li*e ETo beco!e =o i" there are "our or "i&e li!)ers to you in the cuto"", you !ight add a "e( e.tra suited hands and )erha)s a&oid (ea* o""suit aces i" you’re (orried about ho( you’ll )lay the! a"ter the "lo) 'n !ediu!# and dee)#stac* no#li!it, i" you’re )laying (ith )osition and only "or the )rice o" the big blind, you ha&e tre!endous "le.ibility &en i" you li!) in (ith a totally trash hand li*e 9 2 , your error4 only costs you a "raction o" the big blind '" you )lay a (hole lot better than your o))onents do a"ter the "lo), you !ay "ind that you easily !a*e u) "or that error4 by )reying on your o))onents’ !uch bigger )ost"lo) !ista*es 't’s not an argu!ent "or )laying 92o 6ut it’s an i!)ortant no#li!it )rinci)le: '" you’r e out o" )osition or )laying against a raise, hand &alues !atter '" you’re in )osition and it’s li!)ed or "olded to you, you can get a(ay (ith )laying so!e un*y hands The better you read hands a"ter the "lo), the !ore you can get a(ay (ith =o, "or si!)licity, '’ll ust *ee) the a"ter li!)ers range the sa!e as the o)ening the )ot range: 22K, A2sK, E9sK, D9sK, HIsK, BsK, ABoK, EToK, DToK, 9BoK 'n the ne.t install!ent o" the series, you’ll see the di""erence bet(een these t(o situations: C)ening the )ot ' al!ost al(ays raise, but a"ter li!)ers '’ll raise only so!e o" the ti!e '" -ou’re Playing Against A aise hene&er so!eone has raised already, you should tighten u) The )re"lo) betting is no( a !uch larger )ercentage o" the stac* si8es, and so!eone has re)resented strength '" you’re the only )layer in the )ot besides the raiser, the button (ill a""ect your )lay a lot '" the button is bad and+or tight, then you can call (ith so!e !arginal hands '" the button is loose, aggressi&e, and o&erall annoying, then you should a&oid !arginal hands and reraise !ore o"ten to shut the! out Also, the looser the raiser, the !ore inclined you should be to reraise '’! getting ahead o" !ysel" a bit, as the raising &ersus calling decisions (ill be in the ne.t install!ent =o let’s tal* about standards Cnly the raiser is in the )ot "or no( ith a tight raiser and a nor!al, not#so#scary button, '’d )lay any )oc*et )air, AE, and AD, As, and EDs '" the raiser (ere loose and a bit o" a (ea* )layer >as ' "ind usually to be the case?, '’d add a lot o" hands: )ri!arily Ao, EDo, suited aces and suited connectors '’d still a&oid (ea* o""suit high card hands li*e ETo or A7o '" the button is (orriso!e, '’ll a&oid calling (ith !arginal hands >but so!eti!es reraise (ith the!? hy )lay suited connectors but a&oid (ea* high card hands$ =teal euity hen you’re
)laying in )osition against a loose raiser, you’re counting on stealing euity to !a*e u) a lot o" the &alue o" your hand -ou’re generally not loo*ing to )lay !a*e#a#hand you’re loo*ing to )unish your o))onent "or building a )ot out o" )osition (ithout enough &alues =uited connectors (or* (ell "or stealing since they a""ord so !any se!iblu""ing o))ortunities '" there are se&eral li!)ers be"ore the raise and+or i" the raise is bigger than ty)ical,4 tighten u) a bit '" you call, you run the ris* o" getting li!)#reraised -ou also run the ris* o" )laying in a "our# or "i&e#(ay raised )ot (ith a (ea* hand and (ithout !uch steal euity '" there’s a raiser and then se&eral callers, you can thin* about s+uee,ing =o against a raise, !y ranges (ill &ary considerably =o!eti!es '’ll )lay as tightly as: 22K, AE, AD, As, EDs And so!eti!es '’ll loosen u) to so!ething li*e: 22K, AK, ED, A2sK, ETsK, DTsK, HIsK, 9sK 't de)ends on the raiser, the button, and the other circu!stances '" -ou’re Playing Against A aise And A eraise Tighten A- u)L Against !ost reraisers, this isn’t a situation to !ess around in &en !ost )oc*et )airs are no good here since the )rice is too high to see the "lo) >co!)ared to (hat you’d e.)ect to (in i" you hit your set? The original raiser is also a threat to )ush on you AA and EE are the only hands '’ll reliably )lay against a raise and a reraise '" the reraiser !ight be a bit light, '’ll )lay AE and DD also, and )erha)s a "e( other hands 6ut generally t(o raises in "ront o" you should be a signal to sit this one out The cuto"" is )erha)s the !ost co!)le. )re"lo) )osition 't’s late enough that you ha&e a lot o" "le.ibility 6ut you al(ays ha&e to thin* about (hat the button !ight do Today’s )ost (as a lot to digest >and it’s only a brie" su!!ary o" cuto"" )lay, at that? hen it doubt, tighten u) a bit ' al(ays suggest that you start o"" )laying tight and then add !ore hands as you gain con"idence
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – Playing )n he Cuto%% Posted on ed Cct 17, 2007 10:3I:H9 AM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst "i&e )arts o" the series:
•
Early Position Standards
•
Playing )n Early Position
•
!iddle Position Standards
•
Playing )n !iddle Position
•
Cuto%% Standards
'n the last "art, (e tal*ed about (hat hands to )lay "ro! the cuto"" The cuto"" is the !ost co!)le. )osition since you ha&e )osition >and there"ore (ant to )lay?, but you are also &ery sensiti&e to (hat the button !ight do hat hands to )lay in a gi&en situation can de)end a lot on your o))onents’ hand ranges and tendencies =i!ilarly, ho( you )lay the! can d e)end also et’s ta*e a crac* at it '" -ou’re C)ening The Pot aise hile theoretically situations can arise (here you !ight (ant to li!) in "ro! the cuto"", in )ractice you’ll usually (ant to raise hile you’re still learning no#li!it )re"lo) )lay, ' thin* it’s "ine to raise e&ery ti!e ' raise about 3. to I. the big blind (ith !ost hands ' )lay ' !ight de&iate "ro! that standard i" the )layer in the big blind is highly aty)ical For instance, i" they are su)er#loose, ' !ight raise u) to 10. 66 (ith !y good hands This decision really co!es do(n to basic raise#si8ing (hich is co&ered (ell in Pro%essional No-Limit Hold .em/ 0olume ) Cne case (here ' !ight li!) is i" the button is hy)er#aggressi&e ' !ight li!) )lanning to reraise the button’s e.)ected auto#raise 6ut ' (ouldn’t do that (ith ust any stac* si8e '’d (ant a "a&orable =P a"ter the button calls the reraise 6ut certainly, (hen in doubt, raise '" -ou’re Playing A"ter Cne Cr More i!)ers '" there’s only one li!)er, ' tend to raise also The raise is designed to uice the )ot in )osition (ith !y good hands 't’s also designed to uice the )ot (ith !y bad ones '" the )ot gets heads#u) or 3#(ay and ' ha&e )osition, '’! ha))y e&en i" !y hand is near the botto! o" !y range '’! counting on the co!bined chances o" !a*ing a hand and le&eraging !y )osition to steal the )ot to !a*e a )ro"it 6oth o" these )lans (or* ust "ine in a raised )ot so long as the stac* si8es are dee) enough that !y o))onents (on’t "eel i!!ediately co!!itted (ith ust a )air 'ndeed, one o" the (orst co!!on no#li!it lea*s is to )lay too !any raised )ots out o" )osition '" you "ind so!eone (ho li*es to li!) in a lot and then call your raise, you’re in a great situation -ou can e.)loit that (ea*ness ob&iously by raising your good hands, but you can e.)loit it also by raising your so#so hands Position is that i!)ortant '" ' e.)ect at least one )layer to call the raise, then ' si8e it according to the )rinci)les o" =P '" ' e.)ect three or !ore o))onents a"ter the "lo), or i" ' e.)ect the button to call, then '’! !ore udicious (ith !y raising aising (ith a so#so hand is good only i" ' can count on stealing a lot o" )ots ith too !any o))onents or (ith so!eone on the button disru)ting !y )lans, ' can’t steal as !any =o in that e&ent '’! !ore inclined to si!)ly li!) (ith !y (ea*er hands ' still tend to raise !y )oc*et )airs, e&en the s!all ones 't’s a lot easier to stac* so!eone in a raised )ot than a li!)ed one, so ' "ind that it’s usually (orth ris*ing a "e( e.tra chi)s at the outset to uice the )ot in ho)es o" "lo))ing a set Also, don’t "orget that you can steal )ost"lo) (hen you hold a s!all )oc*et )air >'t’s easy to get into a set it or "orget it4 !indset (ith s!all )airs 't’s not a bad !indset, but so!eti!es steal situations (ill )o) u)
Gon’t !iss the! ust because your hole cards are )aired? Against !ulti)le li!)ers, ' tend to raise !y strong hands that ' (ant to )lay a big )ot (ith and li!) (ith e&erything else This rule in )articular has !e li!)ing so!eti!es (ith hands li*e E D a"ter a "e( li!)ers =ure, it’s a strong hand that has a good shot (ith )osition 6ut i" you build too big a )ot )re"lo), you can end u) (ith an a(*(ard =P on the "lo) i" you catch to) )air ust last (ee* ' (as )laying N2#NH and absent#!indedly raised "our li!)ers (ith EDo &eryone called !a*ing it N1H0 in the )ot )re"lo) The "lo) ca!e ET9, and because the )re"lo) )ot (as so big >and because ' had a straight dra( to go (ith !y to) )air and because he )layed his hand (ell? ' (as essentially "orced to co!!it !y re!aining NI00 against so!eone (ho "lo))ed to) t(o Cb&iously, that’s ust one outco!e out o" the !illions )ossible, and !any outco!es (ill ha&e you (inning !ore because you raised )re"lo) 6ut o&erall you ha&e !ore "le.ibility to e.)loit your )osition i" you don’t uice the )ot to an a(*(ard =P (ith big o""suit cards =o against one li!)er, ' tend to raise unless ' e.)ect a (hole lot o" callers Against !ulti)le li!)ers, ' tend to raise hands that ' (ant to )lay a big )ot (ith and li!) the !arginal ones ' tend to raise a larger a!ount against !ore li!)ers, though ' ta*e stac* si8es and )layer )ersonalities into account be"ore choosing the si8e '" -ou’re Playing Against A aise 'n middle "osition , ' reco!!ended ust calling i" you’re "irst in a"ter a raise 't’s an unen&iable situation -ou are sand(iched bet(een a raiser and "our or "i&e un*no(n hands 'n the cuto"", you’re not so bad o"", since you ha&e only three )layers behind you -ou can still "lat call, but ' tend to reraise !ore o"ten as (ell, es)ecially (hen the initial raiser is loose '’&e noticed online that !any loose raisers (ill ha))ily call a reraise (ith al!ost any hand That’s a big (ea*ness, and you can e.)loit it only by reraising your strong hands For instance, say you’re )laying (ith 10066 stac*s and a loose )layer !a*es it 3H66 to go '" you !a*e it 1266 to go and he calls, the )re"lo) )ot (ill be 2H66, lea&ing you (ith an =P under I That’s a great =P "or your hand, and i" you "lo) to) )air, you’ll ha&e no )roble! co!!itting -ou ha&e )osition, and you li*ely ha&e the stronger hand 't’s really an ideal situation "or you =ure, stu"" can go (rong -ou can !iss the "lo) and get )ushed o"" your hand by an all#in chec*raise -ou could e&en get I#bet )re"lo) and ha&e a tough decision There’s no (ay to co!)letely insulate yoursel" "ro! trouble 6ut i" your o))onent li*es to o)en a lot o" hands and then call reraises out o" )osition (ith the!, you can )ut hi! in a lot o" di""icult situations by reraising your strong hands Against a raise and callers, ' tend to reraise !y good hands nearly e&ery ti!e, call (ith s!all )oc*et )airs and )erha)s so!e other big )ot4 hands, and also so!eti!es reraise as a s+uee,e '" -ou’re Playing Against A aise And A eraise This is such a s)eciali8ed situation that there isn’t !uch general ad&ice ' can gi&e Presu!ably, i" you’re )laying in this situation, it’s because you ha&e a terri"ic hand, and you’re not a"raid to end u) all#in (ith it )re"lo) =o realistically, your choices are ty)ically (hether to si!)ly )ush )re"lo) or to call )re"lo) and )ush on the "lo) -ou don’t (ant to call too !uch attention to yoursel", though (hate&er you do the "act that you didn’t "old (ill attract attention =o ' guess '’ll ust reco!!end that you use your udge!ent The !ain thing to a&oid is calling )re"lo) and then "olding to a lot o" )ost"lo) action '" there’s a raise and a reraise )re"lo), e.)ect your o))onents to ha&e good hands .)ect a lot o" )ost"lo) action 't !a*es no sense to call a big )re"lo) bet only to lose your ner&e on the "lo)
(hen your o))onents are "ollo(ing through as e.)ected Cb&iously i" you ha&e EE and an ace "lo)s, you !ight &ery (ell be toast, so you could consider a "old gi&en the right circu!stances 6ut i" you’re calling a raise and a reraise )re"lo), the stac*s are 10066 >or other(ise not su)er#dee)?, and the "lo) co!es B H 3 , you ha&e no business "olding on the "lo) '" you’re in a situation (here you !ight "eel co!)elled to "old on the "lo), o"ten you should instead ha&e )ushed >or )erha)s "olded? )re"lo) Ace#*ing is the !ost )ro!inent e.a!)le /aturally you (ould be inclined to "old AE to a lot o" action on an BH3 "lo) 6ut your o))onents’ )ost"lo) action is !erely a continuation o" the )re"lo) action, since no one e.)ects to ha&e hit the "lo), and you li*ely still ha&e signi"icant euity That doesn’t necessarily !ean it’s right to call, but it does o"ten !ean that you should ha&e si!)ly )ushed )re"lo) =o i" you’re against a raise and a reraise, you should be thin*ing either that you’ll )ush )re"lo) or get it all#in )ost"lo) -ou shouldn’t be )lanning to call and see (hat ha))ens4 on the "lo), because ty)ically you’ll be ris*ing too large a )ercentage o" your stac* in such unclear circu!stances Cccasionally e&erything (ill go (rong )ost"lo) and you (ill end u) "olding, but "olding isn’t a )lan in this case J it’s (hat ha))ens (hen the )lan "alls a)art
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – he Button Posted on Fri /o& 02, 2007 01:1B:I2 PM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst si. )arts o" the series: •
Early Position Standards
•
Playing )n Early Position
•
!iddle Position Standards
•
Playing )n !iddle Position
•
Cuto%% Standards
•
Playing )n he Cuto%%
he( The button e’re al!ost there =ince !ost o" the )rinci)les ' use to build the chart should be "airly clear by no(, '’! going to s)eed through these t(o "inal install!ents be"ore ' )ost the "inal chart
Cb&iously, on the button you ha&e all the ad&antages =o you (ant to )lay "airly loose as long as your o))onents ha&en’t sho(n real strength yet '" -ou’re C)ening The Pot hen e&eryone "olds to you on the button, you can )lay loose, and you should essentially al(ays o)en#raise ;o( loose de)ends ho( (ell you )lay co!)ared to the blinds hich hands you choose de)ends so!e(hat on your o))onents’ (ea*nesses '" your o))onents tend to be stic*y4 and call "lo) and turn bets (ithout too !uch, then )re"er hands that ha&e better sho(do(n &alue li*e sti"" aces and *ings '" your o))onents )lay tighter or !ore aggressi&ely, s!all suited cards are )re"erable because they gi&e you !ore strength in se!iblu""ing situations '" your o))onents are really bad, )lay both '’! ust going to )ut a range out there that’s a decent "irst a))ro.i!ation "or (hat you should )lay "irst in "ro! the button Adust it to suit your situation and )lay: 22K, A2K, E2sK, EHoK, D9oK, DHsK, 9oK, BsK, T9o, 9Bo, T9s#HIs, TBs#Is That’s about II o" all hands, and it still has a si,a(le e+uity edge against t#o random hands -ou can get a(ay (ith )laying e&en looser in so!e situations '" -ou’re Playing A"ter Cne Cr More i!)ers '" you ha&e one li!)er, and he’s bad, then you can )lay al!ost as i" you’re o)ening the )ot Play the loose range listed abo&e >)erha)s slightly tighter?, and raise (ith it '" he’s good, then ob&iously tighten u) a bit, but you can still )lay loose (ith )osition .ce)tions to raising (ould be i" your o))onents are so loose )re"lo) that you (ill be guaranteed t(o and can reasonably e.)ect all three re!aining )layers to call Then raising loses !uch o" its u)side (ith the (ea* hands >but gains &alue (ith !any o" the strong ones? Also, i" your o))onents are cra8y (ild )ost"lo) and lo&e to )lay allin )ots (ith bad hands and dra(s, then you can li!) and rely on i!)lied odds to carry the day 'n !ost circu!stances, ho(e&er, you should raise one li!)er ith t(o or !ore li!)ers, you can still )lay loose, a la the abo&e range Pre"er suited hands to the big#little o""suit ones, though, so )erha)s substitute out the EHo "or 7s or 9s '" your o))onents are bad, again you !ay not ha&e to substitute anything out and can ust add And i" they’re good, tighten u) a bit 't’s not a nearly auto!atic raise any!ore, ho(e&er -ou ha&e to consult =P and see (hether your hand (ill )lay (ell or be a(*(ard in a three# or "our#handed raised )ot -our ad&antage on the button is di!inished i" you a! the )ot )re"lo) to the )oint that the "lo) (ill )ut you in !arginal situations that blunt your hand reading ad&antage '" -ou’re Playing Against A aise Against a single raiser, you can )lay "airly loosely still against an aggressi&e or bad )layer Gon’t call (ith (ea* o""suit hands, though -our )laying range should )erha)s loo* so!ething li*e: 22K, A2sK, AToK, E9sK, EoK, Do, D9sK, To#9Bo, Ts#HIs, 9s#Is This )laying range assu!es that the raise is s!all >no !ore than 3#I? co!)ared to the stac* si8es '" it’s bigger than that, you need to tighten u) considerably -our )lan (ith the (ea*er suited hands is to use your )osition as a (ea)on to )ush your o))onent o"" !arginal hands 't’s "ine to tighten u) "ro! this range '" you don’t "eel li*e you ha&e control o&er your
o))onents, "or instance, then surely tighten u) J )articularly o!it the s!all card hands eraise all o" these hands occasionally and reraise your strong hands !ost o" the ti!e Against a &ery tight raiser, )erha)s only DDK and AE (ould uali"y "or a !ost o" the ti!e4 reraise Against a looser raiser, )erha)s 99K, AE#A, and ED Against a raise and one or !ore calls, )lay a si!ilar range, e.ce)t du!) the (ea*est hands because you ha&e less "old euity And reraise !ore o"ten =ince there’s )lenty o" dead !oney "ro! the callers, you ha&e !ore u)side to reraise (ith a hand li*e T9s '" -ou’re Playing Against A aise And A eraise A raise and a reraise usually !eans a strong hand is out against you, and the =P (ill be lo( That !eans you can’t )lay loose any!ore, e&en though you ha&e the button -our )ositional ad&antage (on’t (or* "or you against a strong hand (ith a lo( =P =tic* to the good stu"": DDK and AE -ou !ight e&en "old DD and AE against so!e reraisers Against looser )layers, you !ight care"ully add a cou)le !ore hands =ee the ad&ice "ro! "laying in the cuto%% ra))ing 5) The button is a great )osition, and against bad )layers (ith !ediu! and dee) stac*s, you can )lay loosely and use your )osition to generate )ost"lo) euity '" good )layers ha&e entered the )ot, )articularly "or a raise, you can still )lay "airly loosely, but toss so!e o" the (ea*est hands that you !ight )lay against a ty)ical )layer
Building a No-Limit Hold’em Starting Hand Chart – he Blinds Posted on Tue Gec 11, 2007 0I:H1:II PM Filed under Articles, Free Articles, No Limit Hold 'em , Poer !ade Sim"le '’&e al(ays thought a true starting hand chart "or no#li!it (as out o" reach Pre"lo) )lay in no# li!it cash ga!es is &ery !alleable a (ide array o" di""erent styles and strategies can (or* (ell, and your o))onents’ stac* si8es and styles !atter a lot also 6ut then ' "igured, (hat the hec* et’s try to build a decent starting hand chart, ste)#by#ste), on /PA '’ll (rite about the reasoning that goes into the chart Then at the end (e’ll co!)ile the (hole thing That (ay, i" so!eone >!is?reads the chart (ithout the reasoning behind it, (hich is the !ost i!)ortant )art, it’s not hanging o&er !y head '" you ha&en’t already, read the "irst se&en )arts o" the series: •
Early Position Standards
•
Playing )n Early Position
•
!iddle Position Standards
•
Playing )n !iddle Position
•
Cuto%% Standards
•
Playing )n he Cuto%%
•
he Button
elco!e to the )enulti!ate install!ent in this a))arently e)ic series on 6uilding A /o#i!it ;old’e! =tarting ;and %hart 6lind )lay ;ere’s !y ad&ice: Gon’t )lay ' su))ose ' should be a little !ore s)eci"ic than that Playing "ro! the blinds is te!)ting, but o"ten ' thin* it’s a bad idea and should be a&oided, e&en i" you "eel li*e your o))onent !ay be stealing The !ain issue, ob&iously, is that you’ll be out o" )osition "or the entire hand =o (hile the "act that you’re in )osition )re"lo) !ay te!)t you to )lay, your )ost"lo) disad&antage (ill do you in This reasoning holds only i" the )ost"lo) stac*s (ill be signi"icantly dee)er than the )re"lo) )ot That is, i" the =P is relati&ely high '" you’re going to ha&e a lo( =P >due to short stac*s or )re"lo) reraising?, your )ositional disad&antage is blunted, and you can )lay slightly !ore aggressi&ely That’s the o&er&ie( e!e!ber, this is Poer !ade Sim"le , and the ad&ice (ill re"lect that 6lind )lay can get &ery co!)le., and '’! ai!ing to re!o&e nearly all o" that co!)le.ity here =o )lease don’t ta*e these reco!!endations as gos)el They are si!)le and solid, no !ore hen Cne Cr More i!)ers ;a&e ntered the Pot '" you ha&e li!)ers and no raisers, and you’re in the big blind, chec* !ost hands -ou can raise your ti) to) hands and so!e other ones as se!iblu""s, )articularly (hen a s+uee,e is a&ailable hat you raise >and ho( !uch you raise it? de)end on the stac* si8es For 10066 stac*s and relati&ely docile o))onents >ie, the raise (ill get called or "olded to, but &ery rarely reraised?, ' raise big )oc*et )airs and so!eti!es s!all ones all the (ay do(n to deuces ' also raise big cards do(n to about Es or EDo i" ' can antici)ate a good =P "or !ysel" ' thin* it’s usually better to chec* these hands than to raise the! setting u) an a(*(ard =P out o" )osition ' do se!iblu""+suee8e (ith so!e "reuency, because other(ise this raising ra nge is &ery narro( and readable Fro! the s!all blind ' )lay si!ilarly, though '’! slightly less (illing to raise because '’! e.tra out o" )osition, and the big blind is, as yet, unaccounted "or hen 't’s aised To -ou ' don’t )lay !uch in this situation in the big blind, e&en i" it’s a cuto"" o)en#raise hen the cuto"" )layers are o)en#raising light, they’re saying, ' ha&e )osition on you, and that !eans ' can )lay against you (ith less o" a starting hand and still !a*e !oney4 And, de)ending on ho( (ell they )lay, they’re right Cb&iously ' )lay all )oc*et )airs unless the stac* si8es are totally (rong ' also )lay AE and AD consistently Against !ost )layers ' also add so!e o" the big suited hands li*e As, ATs, EDs, and Es ' also "reuently )lay EDo /otably, ' don’t )lay !ost suited connectors, es)ecially the ones lo(er than Ts They don’t )lay (ell out o" )osition, because they rely on lots o" steal euity to be )ro"itable, and you really su""er in that area (hen you’re out o" )osition ' also don’t )lay s!all suited aces "or the sa!e reason ' de"initely don’t )lay s!all o""suit aces Against )layers (ho ' thin* are raising too loosely >or ust nor!al loose button o)en#raises?, ' don’t "ight bac* by calling ' "ight bac* by reraising, both "or &alue (ith good hands and as a se!iblu"" (ith bad ones >including suited connectors? 6ut i" you do that, reali8e that you (ill (al* into so!e stic*y )ost"lo) situations i" you get called
'n the s!all blind, ' )lay the sa!e (ay e.ce)t, again, slightly tighter =o, to su! u), ' reco!!end (ith !ost hands that you "ind a reason not to )lay -ou can )lay all )oc*et )airs and the big cards: AE, AD, ED, As, ATs, and Es As the raiser’s range gets looser, you can add !ore hands and reraise !uch !ore o"ten, both "or &alue and as a se!iblu"" Against a eraise '" there’s a raise and a reraise to you, then you should )lay &ery tightly and )ossibly )ush all# in (ith anything you choose to )lay %andidate hands "or )laying this (ay are AA#DD and AE '" the reraise is only #B o" your stac* >and the stac*s o" the rele&ant o))onents?, you can consider calling (ith )oc*et )airs also 6lind Oersus 6lind hen it’s "olded to the blinds, the big blind has a big )ositional ad&antage ' )lay tightly out o" the s!all blind =ure, it’s only N1 !ore to call (ith DHo in a N1#N2 ga!e, and sure, the big blind )robably doesn’t ha&e !uch 6ut in no#li!it the !oney is !ade )ost"lo), and you’ll be at a )ositional disad&antage 'n )articular, ' don’t do a ton o" stealing out o" the s!all blind, because !ost big blind )layers *no( they can call &ery light and count on their )osition to carry the! through >For the curious, heads#u) tables are uite di""erent because the s!all blind is on the button? '" you’re in the big blind, you can call the s!all blind "airly loosely And you can also raise "airly loosely i" the s!all blind ust calls ' tend to )lay e&en !ore hands "or raises here than ' (ould o"ening %rom the (utton, since ' *no( ' ha&e ust one o))onent, and they’&e already sho(ed so!e (ea*ness by !erely calling =ince it’s heads#u), the actual ranges to use de)end &ery strongly on your o))onent’s ranges 6ut in general, ' ust "old a lot o" !y s!all blinds (hen it’s "olded to !e, but ' "airly rarely "old a big blind i" it’s ust !e and the s!all blind =o that’s all the )ositions ' ho)e you enoyed this series
