Choosing Your Starting Hand PreflopHome > Texas Holdem 101 > Lesson Eight
There’s a condition you should be aware of -- you should never fall into the habit of playing a hand in a specific way. High quality poker player’s will “pick up” your pattern of plays and will eventually use that against you. Try to mix it up as much as you can. Shift gears to keep you opponents guessing. Playing AA & KK Preflop While you love seeing them as your starting hand, most people think pocket aces or kings should be slowplayed. Pocket Aces or kings are not slow playing hands. These hands can easily be cracked by two pair, trips, etc… I would suggest calculated raises preflop to ensure you’re in the lead. Early-Position with AA/KK: In early position or “under the gun”, I would generally limp-in (just call) and hopefully get someone to raise; I would reraise about the size of the pot. Mid-Position with AA/KK: If someone raises before me I would reraise the size of the pot. Late-Position with AA/KK: I would obviously put up a raise if no one bets, or put up a reraise if someone raises in early position. If someone reraises my raise, I’d move all in… AK Preflop You can learn to play AK or Big Slick by reading an article by Rory Monahan. QQ Preflop You should be very cautious with pocket Queens because of the drawback of overcards (Aces or Kings) showing up on the community. Early-Position with QQ: I’d raise a reasonable amount (Big Blind x3) to see where I stand. If anyone calls, I’d assume they might be holding overcards, aces or kings, so I’ll slowly play my queens on the flop… Mid-Position with QQ: If anyone raises before me, I would just call… No reraises with QQ. Late-Position: Any early reraises, I would reraise them back. I would not call a reraise over my raise, with the assumption that they may have KK, AK, AA. Also, If I’ve identified my opponent as a tight player, then I’d fold. If my opponent was a maniac, I’d probably move all in. Small Pairs 22 to JJ Preflop (22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99, 1010, JJ) With any small pair, I’d limp in (call the big blind). I’d also call one raise if I was in early or mid-position. My main purpose with a small pair would be to hit a set (three of a kind) so I could break somebody in the pot with me.
Suited Connectors Preflop
(6 Suited connectors are playable if you can see a flop for cheap in middle or late position. The main purpose of a suited connector is to try to make a little straight, a flush, two pair, or possibly a straight flush… Suited Hand with High Kicker
(A I would play these hands in late position with the intention of a flush possibility on the community. I would only limp in or call for cheap with these hands. Note: The beautiful part about suited connectors or suited hands is that it is effortless to fold these hands. Once you don’t make your straight or flush possibility, you can simply fold them away. Unlike holding an A10; If you hit your Ace, it’s hard to throw it away not knowing someone may have hit two pair or ace with a higher kicker.
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