Evaluating your
starters in Texas Hold'em poker
The first moves you make in a
game of Texas Hold'em poker will often determine how well you do
that round.
Once you see your hole cards, you have to make the
critical decision between staying in or folding. It’s the point
in the hand where most players will decide if they’re in it
until the end or not. For that reason, it’s important to be able
to evaluate the cards you have in your hand to see if they can
get you the pot. Let’s take a look at the combinations you could
be dealt and what they mean to you.
Pairs. If you’re dealt a high pair in
hold ‘em, you are holding onto the best cards possible. High
pairs will win over low pairs and unpaired hands, and they don’t
need any help from the board to do so. Low pairs are all right
as well, much better than an unpaired hand, but you may find
yourself competing with a higher pair. Still, holding tow fours
and having one more come up improves your odds significantly. If
you are dealt pairs, stick it out at least until the next round.
Suited connectors. These cards give you
a chance at a flush, a straight, or a straight flush; they are
cards that are sequential as well as in the same suit. K-Q
hearts is an example. These cards can be increased to pairs,
trips, two pairs, or full houses as well. In any case, you will
need some help from the board in order to have a power hand.
They’ll keep you in the game until the turn card at least. High
cards are preferable as connectors; with a low connector (or
stupid connector) you might want to fold if you don’t get a big
draw.
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Suited cards. The best chance you have
with suited cards is for the flush, but you’ll need help from
the board to get it. Suited cards are two cards in the same
suit, and of course having a high card here is preferable since
it’s likely that another player at the table will also get the
flush, and the high card will win.
Connected cards: These are cards in
sequence, and you’re looking for the straight. Hole cards like
10-9 mean that if the flop comes up 8-J-3 you have an open ended
straight and either a Q or a 7 will clinch it for you.
High Cards: You’ve got a chance at a
good hand if you’re holding a couple of high cards in your hand,
especially if they’re close together on the spectrum. Play with
any ace, and K-10, J-K, etc are attractive hole cards to build
on even if they’re off suit.
Rag cards. Simply put, any two WILL NOT
DO!!! Even cards of the same suit are too long to take a shot
with if they turn up in your pocket. Automatically fold any hand
that isn’t high, connected, or suited.
Marshall
Published on 07/07/2007
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