When you play Texas Hold'em, it is likely that you will meet a lot of terms that are unfamiliar to you, especially if you're new to poker. One of the most likely Texas Hold'em terms you'll meet is the blinds. So what are blinds?
Texas Hold'em Blinds - A Definition
The Texas Hold'em blinds are forced bets that are initially posted at pre-flop. The blinds are placed before the pocket cards are dealt. The reason why Texas Hold'em blinds got their name is that you do not have a choice whether you want to post your money in before you see your cards.
What is the purpose of Texas Hold'em blinds?
The game features Texas Hold'em blinds to ensure action or game play. Without these forced bets, it is most likely that everyone would wait for pocket Aces all day.
The earlier versions of the game centered on the idea of players playing for the posted blind money in the pot. Today, that idea no longer applies when way more money can be won by betting, especially in low limit games. However, the Texas Hold'em blinds still serve their purpose, even when limits are higher.
How do Texas Hold'em blinds work?
The amount of the Texas Hold'em blinds depend on the betting structure adopted. The Texas Hold'em blinds are usually more popular in structured limit games. In this structure, such as the $2/$4 or $3/$6 limit hold'em, the blinds are comprised of two bets made - the small and the big blind.
The Texas Hold'em blinds start to the left of the dealer. So the flow would go as follows: dealer button, small blind, and then big blind.
The small Texas Hold'em Blind
The small Texas Hold'em blind is the first forced bet made at pre-flop. Usually, the small Texas Hold'em blind is equal to half of the lowest limit structure. So if for instance, you are playing for $2/$4, then the small blind would be $1. Another example is if you're playing a game with the limit of $3/$6. The small blind in this type of limit game is $1 or $2.
The big Texas Hold'em Blind
The big Texas Hold'em blind is the forced bet posted by the player sitting next to the small Texas Hold'em blind. The amount of the big Texas Hold'em blind is equivalent to the lowest limit structure of the game. For example, if you are playing the $2/4$ limit game, your big blind is $2. However, if you play $15/$30, you post $15 as your big blind.
Playing from the Texas Hold'em blinds?
When playing from the Texas Hold'em blinds, you run the risk of losing money fairly easy. This is especially true in a low limit or high limit game. For instance, when you have a marginal hand in middle position, your natural reaction would be to just call it. Then someone raises but that would be pretty easy to let go and save yourself the trouble. It's difficult however when you are in the big Texas Hold'em blind and the money is in the pot and someone raises. Your odds to call grow greater and you end up paying some guys good hand offs.
Simple warning about gambling: Know your limit and play within it...
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Texas Holdem Hand Ranking
Poker Hands Rankings / Probability of Poker Hands
The following poker hands ranking are from lowest to highest. In addition, each poker hands probability in five cards is shown. Realize that the poker hands probability will be higher in Texas Holdem since there is a total of seven cards.
High Card, e.g., Ad Td 8s 6s 3h, 50% probability or 1 to 1
A high card hand is any hand which doesn’t meet any of the hands below. If no one has a pair or better, the player with the highest card wins. If there is a tie for the highest card then the second highest card would be the tie breaker and so forth.
Pair, e.g. Ad As Kc Th 5s, 42% probability or 1.4 to 1
A pair is two matching cards with three distinct cards. If two players have the same pair then the highest card wins.
Two Pair, e.g. Ad As Kc Kd 5s, 5% probability or 20 to 1
Two distinct pairs with a single kicker. If two opponents hold the same two pair then the highest kicker card wins.
Three of a Kind, e.g. Ad As Ah Kc 5s, 2% probability or 46 to 1
Three cards of the same rank with two kicker cards that do not match.
Straight Ad Kc Qd Jh Ts, .4% probability or 254 to 1
A straight is 5 cards in order when all five cards are not the same suit (otherwise it would be a straight flush). An ace may be played high or low.
Flush Ad Td 8d 5d 3d, .2% probability or 508 to 1
A flush is five cards of the same suit.
Full House Ad As Ah Kc Kd, .1% probability or 693 to 1
A full house is three of a kind and a pair.
Four of a Kind Ad As Ah Ac Kc, .02% probability or 4164 to 1
Four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush Ad Kd Qd Jd Td, .001% probability or 64,973 to 1
A straight flush is five cards in order of the same suit. When the straight is ace higher it is better know as the Royal Flush.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Texas Holdem Poker Probability
What is a probability: a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible; "the probability that an unbiased coin will fall with the head up is 0.5"
What is Texas Hold'em: Texas hold 'em (or simply hold 'em or holdem) is the most popular of the community card poker games. It is the most popular poker variant played in casinos in the western United States, and its no-limit form is used in the main event of the World Series of Poker (abbreviated WSOP), widely recognized as the world championship of the game.
Pros and amateurs alike agree that Texas Hold'em is a relatively easy game to learn but difficult to master. Texas Hold'em poker is a complex game of wits, cunning, strategies, and mathematics. To do well in a Texas Hold'em game, there are so many factors to consider. One of these factors is the Texas Hold'em probability.
What is Texas Hold'em probability?
Texas Hold'em probability is a huge factor of the game. Texas Hold'em probability is determined through the odds that players use in determining their actions. The odds of finishing a flush or a straight, of making a hand from the flop, of getting an overcard - all these are important Texas Hold'em probability factors that can either make or break your game. Texas Hold'em probability will give the statistical knowledge necessary to help you determine whether you ought to bet, call, or fold.
Some terms relating to Texas Hold'em probability
Out is one of the commonest terms you will encounter when talking about Texas Hold'em probability. Out refers to the cards in the deck that will help make your hand. For instance, you have four hearts on the turn. The number of outs you have left is 9.
The second term that you will encounter in Texas Hold'em probability is pot odds. Pots odds are your chances of making a hand based on the current size of the pot and your next call. Say, the stakes in the pot amounts to $200 and you only have a $10 bet coming at you. By using the concept of Texas Hold'em probability, you know that if you hit your flush, your pot odds are good.
The third term in Texas Hold'em probability is bet odds. This refers to the odds you get if you assess the number of players who make a call against a raise. If your hand odds are 1 to 5 and you know that all your opponents are looking to call your bet, then it means that your bet odds are good.
The fourth and final terms you will encounter in Texas Hold'em probability is implied odds. This term refers to the odds you have if you assume how the betting round will turn out. Implied odds in Texas Hold'em probability requires experience in poker to do correctly.
The Basic Concept of Texas Hold'em Probability
In calculating Texas Hold'em probability, the commonest concepts you use are outs and pot odds. Basically, Texas Hold'em probability is simple division. Use the number of outs you have as your numerator. Your denominator will be the number of cards left that you haven't seen yet. So at the start (pre-flop), you will be dividing your outs with 50. After the flop, it will only be 47 and down to 46 after the turn.
One last word on probability...If you don't play for fun you will PROBABLY lose your shirt so...Know your limit and play within it...
## End of Article
What is Texas Hold'em: Texas hold 'em (or simply hold 'em or holdem) is the most popular of the community card poker games. It is the most popular poker variant played in casinos in the western United States, and its no-limit form is used in the main event of the World Series of Poker (abbreviated WSOP), widely recognized as the world championship of the game.
Pros and amateurs alike agree that Texas Hold'em is a relatively easy game to learn but difficult to master. Texas Hold'em poker is a complex game of wits, cunning, strategies, and mathematics. To do well in a Texas Hold'em game, there are so many factors to consider. One of these factors is the Texas Hold'em probability.
What is Texas Hold'em probability?
Texas Hold'em probability is a huge factor of the game. Texas Hold'em probability is determined through the odds that players use in determining their actions. The odds of finishing a flush or a straight, of making a hand from the flop, of getting an overcard - all these are important Texas Hold'em probability factors that can either make or break your game. Texas Hold'em probability will give the statistical knowledge necessary to help you determine whether you ought to bet, call, or fold.
Some terms relating to Texas Hold'em probability
Out is one of the commonest terms you will encounter when talking about Texas Hold'em probability. Out refers to the cards in the deck that will help make your hand. For instance, you have four hearts on the turn. The number of outs you have left is 9.
The second term that you will encounter in Texas Hold'em probability is pot odds. Pots odds are your chances of making a hand based on the current size of the pot and your next call. Say, the stakes in the pot amounts to $200 and you only have a $10 bet coming at you. By using the concept of Texas Hold'em probability, you know that if you hit your flush, your pot odds are good.
The third term in Texas Hold'em probability is bet odds. This refers to the odds you get if you assess the number of players who make a call against a raise. If your hand odds are 1 to 5 and you know that all your opponents are looking to call your bet, then it means that your bet odds are good.
The fourth and final terms you will encounter in Texas Hold'em probability is implied odds. This term refers to the odds you have if you assume how the betting round will turn out. Implied odds in Texas Hold'em probability requires experience in poker to do correctly.
The Basic Concept of Texas Hold'em Probability
In calculating Texas Hold'em probability, the commonest concepts you use are outs and pot odds. Basically, Texas Hold'em probability is simple division. Use the number of outs you have as your numerator. Your denominator will be the number of cards left that you haven't seen yet. So at the start (pre-flop), you will be dividing your outs with 50. After the flop, it will only be 47 and down to 46 after the turn.
One last word on probability...If you don't play for fun you will PROBABLY lose your shirt so...Know your limit and play within it...
## End of Article
Saturday, October 13, 2007
How To Push Flush Draws Out In Texas Hold Em
The game of Poker, especially Texas Hold Em, is a very difficult game to say the least. There are so many ways of getting beat, even when you're a favorite going to the flop. But some of those ways can be prevented, at least in most poker games. I'm referring to getting beat with a flush when your pocket A's were the best hand even after the flop. But how can we do that?
First of all, flush draws seem to be evident on about every other hand, or at least every third. Its one of the easiest draws that any poker player immediately sees when he has it. For instance, an inside straight draw is sometimes overlooked, even by professionals because you have to actually analyze the numbers, not the colors. But flush draws are spotted by even the newest players simply because of the colors. Because of this, you have to protect your hand when you suspect someone is on a flush draws.
So how do you get these guys off of their flush draws? Simple. Don't give them the odds to call. This means you have to raise pre-flop, and after the flop if you suspect your opponent is on a flush draw. One of the easiest ways to determine if someone is chasing a flush draw is to analyze the flop and watch how your opponent bets when you raise (after the flop). First, if there are two cards of the same suit on the flop, and there are more then two players in the hand (not including yourself), someone is probably on a flush draw. Secondly, when you raise (and you MUST raise), watch how the person calls. If there is an immediate call, pretty much without delay or hesitation, they are probably on a flush draw. The reason this is "usually" true is because, when a person has two diamonds in their hand and the flop has two diamonds, there is no thinking needed. Its obvious; you need a diamond to make your flush. If the person didn't have two diamonds, and say had top pair or some type of straight draw, they would have to look at the board for a moment and analyze it to see if it merits a call, thus delaying their decision. This is why professionals usually wait a moment before every bet or check. They don't want to give away any tells at all.
So how much do you bet to get a person off of their flush draw in poker? Well, first understand that when someone has a flush draw after the flop, they have roughly a 36% chance of making their hand by the river. This is because there are 9 more diamonds in the deck (assuming its a diamond draw). Although there are a few ways of determining this percentage, I personally like Phil Gorden's 4-2 method. It works like this: Determine your outs, and simply multiply it by 4 for the turn card. After the turn, determine your outs again, and multiply it by 2. So, if you have 9 outs before the turn, take 9 x 4, and you'll get 36, or a 36% chance. After the turn, if you don't hit your flush, take 9 x 2, and you get an 18% chance of catching a diamond (note: These percentages aren't 100% accurate, but they're so close that I prefer this method to make quick decisions at the table.
So, getting back to your bet. If you believe they are on a flush draw after the flop, then you must remove their odds to call. In essence, you're forcing them to have to call a bet that is "more" then 36%. So lets say the pot contains $100 before you bet, and its just you and them. If you only bet $50 (bringing the pot to $150), of course all he has to call is $50 to win $150. That means he's getting 3 to 1 odds (3 for $150 compared to his 1 $50), which means he only has to bet 33% of the pot. And because he has a 36% chance of catching his card, he is correct in calling. The theory is the same after the turn. If he misses the turn, he now has an 18% chance of catching it. You have to force him to bet more then 18% of the pot after the turn. Now whether he calls or not is a different story. Mathematically he's making a mistake when makes these calls when you've eliminated his odds. And in the long run, and over several hands, he will lose and you will win.
## End of Article
First of all, flush draws seem to be evident on about every other hand, or at least every third. Its one of the easiest draws that any poker player immediately sees when he has it. For instance, an inside straight draw is sometimes overlooked, even by professionals because you have to actually analyze the numbers, not the colors. But flush draws are spotted by even the newest players simply because of the colors. Because of this, you have to protect your hand when you suspect someone is on a flush draws.
So how do you get these guys off of their flush draws? Simple. Don't give them the odds to call. This means you have to raise pre-flop, and after the flop if you suspect your opponent is on a flush draw. One of the easiest ways to determine if someone is chasing a flush draw is to analyze the flop and watch how your opponent bets when you raise (after the flop). First, if there are two cards of the same suit on the flop, and there are more then two players in the hand (not including yourself), someone is probably on a flush draw. Secondly, when you raise (and you MUST raise), watch how the person calls. If there is an immediate call, pretty much without delay or hesitation, they are probably on a flush draw. The reason this is "usually" true is because, when a person has two diamonds in their hand and the flop has two diamonds, there is no thinking needed. Its obvious; you need a diamond to make your flush. If the person didn't have two diamonds, and say had top pair or some type of straight draw, they would have to look at the board for a moment and analyze it to see if it merits a call, thus delaying their decision. This is why professionals usually wait a moment before every bet or check. They don't want to give away any tells at all.
So how much do you bet to get a person off of their flush draw in poker? Well, first understand that when someone has a flush draw after the flop, they have roughly a 36% chance of making their hand by the river. This is because there are 9 more diamonds in the deck (assuming its a diamond draw). Although there are a few ways of determining this percentage, I personally like Phil Gorden's 4-2 method. It works like this: Determine your outs, and simply multiply it by 4 for the turn card. After the turn, determine your outs again, and multiply it by 2. So, if you have 9 outs before the turn, take 9 x 4, and you'll get 36, or a 36% chance. After the turn, if you don't hit your flush, take 9 x 2, and you get an 18% chance of catching a diamond (note: These percentages aren't 100% accurate, but they're so close that I prefer this method to make quick decisions at the table.
So, getting back to your bet. If you believe they are on a flush draw after the flop, then you must remove their odds to call. In essence, you're forcing them to have to call a bet that is "more" then 36%. So lets say the pot contains $100 before you bet, and its just you and them. If you only bet $50 (bringing the pot to $150), of course all he has to call is $50 to win $150. That means he's getting 3 to 1 odds (3 for $150 compared to his 1 $50), which means he only has to bet 33% of the pot. And because he has a 36% chance of catching his card, he is correct in calling. The theory is the same after the turn. If he misses the turn, he now has an 18% chance of catching it. You have to force him to bet more then 18% of the pot after the turn. Now whether he calls or not is a different story. Mathematically he's making a mistake when makes these calls when you've eliminated his odds. And in the long run, and over several hands, he will lose and you will win.
## End of Article
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Texas Holdem Image And Personality
Your texas holdem image is represented by your personality. Every poker player has a personality that can make or break them at a poker game. Your texas holdem image is a crucial part of playing texas holdem. Before I started writing this the section of identifying your holdem image and your opponents, I read an article that I've found really interesting that relates to this topic of table image.
A book author and professional holdem player was playing texas holdem at the Mirage in Las Vegas. A player left his table and a man wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt filled the seat. The poker author explains, "I immediately pegged this guy for another tourist. After the tourist sat down, he was telling stories and joking with the dealer and some of the other players. He didn't seem to have a care in the world as he sat there talking and playing." Everyone at the table perceived this character's texas holdem image as a weak opponent, but this care-free tourist was winning with his very tight and aggressive style of play.
As the poker author left the table and went to the cashier to cash out, he bumped into his Hawaiian shirt, dressed friend and introduced himself. He explains, "I asked him where he was from and to my surprise he said he lived in Las Vegas. I mentioned that he looked like a tourist. 'I know,' he said. 'Why would I want anyone at the table to think I'm a local?'"
Below are 5 texas holdem image descriptions that you may generally find at a poker table: A fish, weak-tight players, the maniac, the rock, and strong-aggressive players. Try to find a texas holdem image description that conveys your style of play or opponents you've played with. But remember, just like the article, your opponents may use their table image to throw you off to make you believe they are something that they are not.
A Fish: The weakest texas holdem image and player there is. Also the most prevalent, fishes have poor hand selections and will call just about anything (also known as calling stations). This person has very little skill or discipline, investing into too many hands, hoping for a lucky break. Chips are earned mainly from these players. However, fish players enjoy the bluffing element of poker, so don't be surprised if a fish tries to make a move with nothing or slow-playing by checking the best hand.
Basically, a fish is just a bad player. You can't bluff a bad player. When a fish has some kind of hand and is still in the pot, it's obvious he's got something. Play straight forward - no tricks or fancy plays against these players.
## End of Article
A book author and professional holdem player was playing texas holdem at the Mirage in Las Vegas. A player left his table and a man wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt filled the seat. The poker author explains, "I immediately pegged this guy for another tourist. After the tourist sat down, he was telling stories and joking with the dealer and some of the other players. He didn't seem to have a care in the world as he sat there talking and playing." Everyone at the table perceived this character's texas holdem image as a weak opponent, but this care-free tourist was winning with his very tight and aggressive style of play.
As the poker author left the table and went to the cashier to cash out, he bumped into his Hawaiian shirt, dressed friend and introduced himself. He explains, "I asked him where he was from and to my surprise he said he lived in Las Vegas. I mentioned that he looked like a tourist. 'I know,' he said. 'Why would I want anyone at the table to think I'm a local?'"
Below are 5 texas holdem image descriptions that you may generally find at a poker table: A fish, weak-tight players, the maniac, the rock, and strong-aggressive players. Try to find a texas holdem image description that conveys your style of play or opponents you've played with. But remember, just like the article, your opponents may use their table image to throw you off to make you believe they are something that they are not.
A Fish: The weakest texas holdem image and player there is. Also the most prevalent, fishes have poor hand selections and will call just about anything (also known as calling stations). This person has very little skill or discipline, investing into too many hands, hoping for a lucky break. Chips are earned mainly from these players. However, fish players enjoy the bluffing element of poker, so don't be surprised if a fish tries to make a move with nothing or slow-playing by checking the best hand.
Basically, a fish is just a bad player. You can't bluff a bad player. When a fish has some kind of hand and is still in the pot, it's obvious he's got something. Play straight forward - no tricks or fancy plays against these players.
## End of Article
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
An Overview Of Texas Hold'Em
Hold'em Poker has, in a few short years, exploded into the most popular poker variation of the game and Texas Hold'em is a game that started some time in the early twentieth century. However, it is only in the last five or six years that Texas Hold'em has mesmerized poker players and taken over poker rooms just about everywhere poker is played.
No-Limit Texas Hold'em is the mainstay of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) which is the highest profile event in the history of the game and is televised around the world. Texas Hold'em is the main game played in the World Poker Tour (WPT) that promotes worldwide poker tournaments. Celebrity tournaments particularly as held in Las Vegas, feature Texas Hold'em and are extremely popular with spectators. In fact, Texas Hold'em tournaments have become highly popular spectator sports and are televised to enthusiastic audiences.
Assuming you are acquainted with traditional poker, here is the basic Texas Hold'em play:
You are dealt two personal cards face down and five cards are placed face up in the center of the table for use by all the players. These are the community cards.
You make the best five card hand using your two personal cards and any combination of the five community cards.
There are four betting rounds. Unless you are in a no-limit game, the first two bets will have a set limit - for example, two dollars. The next two bets have a limit of four dollars. Betting or raising for each round cannot exceed the pre-set limits.
The first two bets are called "blind" or "posted" bets. The first player to the left of the dealer places a "small blind" or minimum bet which is half the maximum - or $2. The next player to the left of the minimum blind poster places the "big blind". The maximum allowed in this case is four dollars. No other bets are made. Once play begins, the deal rotates around the table and each player, in turn, will act as the small blind, big blind and eventually as dealer.
The game starts with the first small blind player receiving the first card face down and the deal revolving around the table with the last card taken by the dealer. The deal revolves around the table again with each player receiving the second card face down.
The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind either calling or raising within the pre-set game limits. Betting, calling or folding goes around the table until the small blind poster is reached. The small blind poster can call the bet since a blind was already posted. The big blind then has the option to raise or to "check".
Three community cards are then dealt face up in the center of the table. In Texas Hold'em terminology, this is known as "the flop". Bets are placed.
Next comes "the turn" or "fourth street", which means the dealer places the fourth community card among the first three cards. Again, bets are placed.
The fifth and final community card dealt is called "the river" or "fifth street".
To play Texas Hold'em well, basic strategies should be learned and practiced and for the serious player, extensive study of advanced game strategies is a must.
No-Limit Texas Hold'em is the mainstay of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) which is the highest profile event in the history of the game and is televised around the world. Texas Hold'em is the main game played in the World Poker Tour (WPT) that promotes worldwide poker tournaments. Celebrity tournaments particularly as held in Las Vegas, feature Texas Hold'em and are extremely popular with spectators. In fact, Texas Hold'em tournaments have become highly popular spectator sports and are televised to enthusiastic audiences.
Assuming you are acquainted with traditional poker, here is the basic Texas Hold'em play:
You are dealt two personal cards face down and five cards are placed face up in the center of the table for use by all the players. These are the community cards.
You make the best five card hand using your two personal cards and any combination of the five community cards.
There are four betting rounds. Unless you are in a no-limit game, the first two bets will have a set limit - for example, two dollars. The next two bets have a limit of four dollars. Betting or raising for each round cannot exceed the pre-set limits.
The first two bets are called "blind" or "posted" bets. The first player to the left of the dealer places a "small blind" or minimum bet which is half the maximum - or $2. The next player to the left of the minimum blind poster places the "big blind". The maximum allowed in this case is four dollars. No other bets are made. Once play begins, the deal rotates around the table and each player, in turn, will act as the small blind, big blind and eventually as dealer.
The game starts with the first small blind player receiving the first card face down and the deal revolving around the table with the last card taken by the dealer. The deal revolves around the table again with each player receiving the second card face down.
The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind either calling or raising within the pre-set game limits. Betting, calling or folding goes around the table until the small blind poster is reached. The small blind poster can call the bet since a blind was already posted. The big blind then has the option to raise or to "check".
Three community cards are then dealt face up in the center of the table. In Texas Hold'em terminology, this is known as "the flop". Bets are placed.
Next comes "the turn" or "fourth street", which means the dealer places the fourth community card among the first three cards. Again, bets are placed.
The fifth and final community card dealt is called "the river" or "fifth street".
To play Texas Hold'em well, basic strategies should be learned and practiced and for the serious player, extensive study of advanced game strategies is a must.
Texas Hold'Em Poker Tips - Low Pairs
In a perfect world, we would all get high pairs as starting hands, but, in truth, that rarely happens. What players will see more often are lower pairs of cards. For newer players, a pair of anything looks pretty good, but be careful, especially if you are playing for real money, when it comes to low pairs.
In general, there are no hard and fast rules that say what constitutes a low pair. For my own reasons, I consider anything below a 6 to be a low pair. As you gain experience and learn your own style of play you will be able to set your own standards as to what is a low pair and what is not.
One of the most useful tips that I can share with new players is this: 90% of the time (and this is especially true if you are holding a low pair of pre-flop cards) you want to see a cheap flop. What I mean by this is you want to see the flop for as little of your money invested as possible. Put another way, if you’re holding a pair of 3’s you want to see the flop but you do NOT want to put in a lot of money (by calling big bets or raising) in order to see that flop.
The key to remember is that a low pair has potential for becoming a huge hand if you pick up a set (another card matching yours comes up, giving you three-of-a-kind) or a quad (two matching cards come up on the flop, giving you four-of-a-kind) or a full-house, but the important word here is potential. Until you see the flop all you have is a lowly pair, and in a ten-handed game and even in a seven-handed game, that generally isn’t worth very much, and the lower the cards, the less they are worth. Keep in mind that a pair of 4’s will beat that pair of 3’s.
Again, we come back to position play and why it is important to always know where you are in relation to the Button. If you are the first person to act (meaning, you are first to either call the blind and play or fold) you must exercise caution. In fact, this is true with low pairs if you are seated anywhere on the first half of the table. The reason for this is simple. If you are the first to play (or even the second, third, or fourth) all the others players behind you will have the option to raise the bet, forcing you to put even more money in before seeing the flop. If you are playing with aggressive betters, the cost can skyrocket in no time at all. Now if you are sitting there (pre-flop) with a pair of King’s or a pair of Ace’s you might welcome that aggressive betting. But with a small pair in your hand, it can spell doom, real quick.
It is worth repeating. The key to playing small pairs is to see the flop for as little money as possible. A well-disciplined player will happily fold a small pair if the betting becomes too rich. Why will they do this? Experienced players will reason that aggressive betting before the flop usually (not always, but usually) represents a player with a strong hand, and in many cases, it may be two or three players with strong hands.
But what if you are holding a small pair and you are at the far end of the table line? Perhaps you are in the blinds (either the big blind or the small blind) or perhaps you are on the Button itself. What do you do in that case?
Well, it depends. If everyone else has folded, you would want to call the blind and see a flop. If only one or two earlier players have called the blinds (but not raised) you may want to go ahead and call yourself to see the flop as well. However, if one player has made a big raise or if several other players have called and or raised, then you go with your gut, and in most cases, your gut should be saying, “Fold”.
If you are in the blinds and can see the flop for a small additional amount of money, then go for it. If you hit your set, you will be in a very good position to probably win the hand.
If you don’t hit your set on the flop, it is time to think hard about folding your hand unless the other players check and you can check as well. If you can see a free card, see one.
It’s important to understand that you have about a 12% chance of hitting your set on the flop. Another way of looking at this is you have about a 1-in-8 chance of getting that third card on the flop.
The odds of getting that third card to fill your set decrease dramatically after the flop. In fact, the odds of seeing that third card by the River are only about 9%.
These statistics apply to all pairs and not just to small pairs.
So, if you are holding a small pair use common sense and watch your betting. Try to see the flop as cheaply as possible. If you hit your set on the flop, then go for it! If you do not hit your set on the flop, consider folding before putting anymore money into the pot. More often than not, you will be glad you did.
In general, there are no hard and fast rules that say what constitutes a low pair. For my own reasons, I consider anything below a 6 to be a low pair. As you gain experience and learn your own style of play you will be able to set your own standards as to what is a low pair and what is not.
One of the most useful tips that I can share with new players is this: 90% of the time (and this is especially true if you are holding a low pair of pre-flop cards) you want to see a cheap flop. What I mean by this is you want to see the flop for as little of your money invested as possible. Put another way, if you’re holding a pair of 3’s you want to see the flop but you do NOT want to put in a lot of money (by calling big bets or raising) in order to see that flop.
The key to remember is that a low pair has potential for becoming a huge hand if you pick up a set (another card matching yours comes up, giving you three-of-a-kind) or a quad (two matching cards come up on the flop, giving you four-of-a-kind) or a full-house, but the important word here is potential. Until you see the flop all you have is a lowly pair, and in a ten-handed game and even in a seven-handed game, that generally isn’t worth very much, and the lower the cards, the less they are worth. Keep in mind that a pair of 4’s will beat that pair of 3’s.
Again, we come back to position play and why it is important to always know where you are in relation to the Button. If you are the first person to act (meaning, you are first to either call the blind and play or fold) you must exercise caution. In fact, this is true with low pairs if you are seated anywhere on the first half of the table. The reason for this is simple. If you are the first to play (or even the second, third, or fourth) all the others players behind you will have the option to raise the bet, forcing you to put even more money in before seeing the flop. If you are playing with aggressive betters, the cost can skyrocket in no time at all. Now if you are sitting there (pre-flop) with a pair of King’s or a pair of Ace’s you might welcome that aggressive betting. But with a small pair in your hand, it can spell doom, real quick.
It is worth repeating. The key to playing small pairs is to see the flop for as little money as possible. A well-disciplined player will happily fold a small pair if the betting becomes too rich. Why will they do this? Experienced players will reason that aggressive betting before the flop usually (not always, but usually) represents a player with a strong hand, and in many cases, it may be two or three players with strong hands.
But what if you are holding a small pair and you are at the far end of the table line? Perhaps you are in the blinds (either the big blind or the small blind) or perhaps you are on the Button itself. What do you do in that case?
Well, it depends. If everyone else has folded, you would want to call the blind and see a flop. If only one or two earlier players have called the blinds (but not raised) you may want to go ahead and call yourself to see the flop as well. However, if one player has made a big raise or if several other players have called and or raised, then you go with your gut, and in most cases, your gut should be saying, “Fold”.
If you are in the blinds and can see the flop for a small additional amount of money, then go for it. If you hit your set, you will be in a very good position to probably win the hand.
If you don’t hit your set on the flop, it is time to think hard about folding your hand unless the other players check and you can check as well. If you can see a free card, see one.
It’s important to understand that you have about a 12% chance of hitting your set on the flop. Another way of looking at this is you have about a 1-in-8 chance of getting that third card on the flop.
The odds of getting that third card to fill your set decrease dramatically after the flop. In fact, the odds of seeing that third card by the River are only about 9%.
These statistics apply to all pairs and not just to small pairs.
So, if you are holding a small pair use common sense and watch your betting. Try to see the flop as cheaply as possible. If you hit your set on the flop, then go for it! If you do not hit your set on the flop, consider folding before putting anymore money into the pot. More often than not, you will be glad you did.
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