Reviews
Texas Holdem Pre-flop Advice
Strict starting hand standards are absolutely vital in Texas Hold'em games. There are many factors to consider before deciding whether to enter the pot or fold:
The game - tight or loose
The game is tight when few players (2-3) see the flop on average and then fold when the cards are on the board. In these games you rarely get to see the river because everyone (except one, of course) has folded. It's practically pointless to play in such games, even for experts. If you do decide to play in a tight game, your starting hand standards have to be very strict. You might be able to play 15% to 20% of your opening cards.
The game is loose when many players see the flop on average and tend to play their cards too far. In this type of game games you will be able to play more hands, though usually not more than 30%. You must still remember to have strict starting hand standards. If you do these games might prove very profitable.
Your position at the table
The worst position you can have pre-flop is under the gun. When you're in this position you will be the first person to act in the opening betting round. You will not have as much information as your opponents in late positions and will be more likely to make mistakes.
As a result of this you have to have very strict staring hand standards when you're sitting under the gun. For example, a hand like ATo should be thrown away from that position.
The best position is on the button, in front of the small blind. It is in this position that you will possess the most information when your turn to act arrives (at least in the last three betting rounds). When sitting on the button you will have all the information you need - how many players are in the pot, has there been a raise/re-raise, etc. This is most certainly the most profitable position and you will be able to play a lot more hands. When you're on the button and no other player has called you might raise with ATo.
Raises made
If there has been a raise you have to be very careful. You need really strong cards or very good pot odds to call in these situations. Hands like AJo and KQo should be folded in middle position if someone has raised the pot. However, if you are in late position and at least four players called the raise, you can call or even re-raise with a hand like JTs in the hopes that you will hit the flop, and win a large pot.
Opponents in the pot
Drawing hands like 87s or small pocket-pairs increase in value in multi-way pots since more players generally result in bigger pots and better pot odds. You can call before the flop with a drawing hand if you think there will be six players or more in the pot. If there are three players or less in the pot drawing hands should be avoided. You want to make sure you get a good price on this type of hands.
Big cards increase in value in short-handed games (six players or less). Aces with a lower kicker than T actually might become playable under these circumstances. In full ring games, hands like AT, KT, and QT, are worth less since they easily become trap hands.
