Poker Strategy 14 Hand Guide
Introduction:
As a frequent poker player, I have learned so many things and mastered strategies that have elevated me to be a successful player. As a beginner, I found it very hard to make a mere $100 a month and the main reason for me to play poker was due to my financial problems at which poker even made it worse. I lost quite a large sum of cash during my losing streaks but it never made me quit the industry. My only comfort in remaining strong was that I had read several journals and online articles on people who play poker for a living and to mention poker professionals with the likes of Annette Obrestad, Doyle Brunson, Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer who have won several poker bracelets and walking away with millions of dollars playing online poker.
With a bankroll of $1000, I’m now able to make a max of $400 profit per day playing a max of 40 to 55 hands approx. My average profit per day ranges from $250 to $300. I now play online poker as a profession playing Monday – Friday. In a month, I make at least $5000. Of course, some days I make a loss but I always make sure that my stop loss per day is pegged at (-)$200 and my profit targets are at a max of $400. After making my monthly cash I set aside $1 000 as my bankroll insurance disregard if I have still maintained my poker bankroll with $1 000. My bankroll insurance keeps accumulating every month and I do not make use of this cash for my daily expenses other than toping up my initial bankroll to $1 000 whenever it goes low.
This guide provides detailed explanation of 14 hands played consecutively on a poker table. It is aimed to help the new and expert players to enhance themselves in their decision making. The strategies used in this guide mainly focus on playing poker at a professional level and it does not make you a loose player. If you are that kind of a poker player who loses most hands frequently and you are about to call it quits in this industry then this guide is a must for you to read. By going through this guide you will be able to take a few or all points that you will include during your poker game play.
The 14 Hand Game Play
Okay, now I will lead you to the core part of the guide which is of paramount importance. To commence my game play, I select a table of max 8 players (that also includes me). The poker variant I’m playing is Texas Hold’em (Fixed Limit – Bet Limit $5 / $10), my bankroll is US $1000.
The First Poker Strategy:
The first strategy that players should always bear in mind is the selection of a poker table in relation to their bankroll. Several players especially the beginners are keen to know how much money they would need in order for them to sit on a suitable poker table and commence game play. Am I able to play poker using any amount? Yes, you can play poker with any size of bankroll but the bet limits required by each table is what’s important. I will outline some of the bet limits in relation to your bankroll and these are as follows;
A Note For Beginners: Before you make use of this formula you should thoroughly understand how the game play proceeds.
Based on all Poker (Fixed Limit) Variants
- If you have a bankroll of $100,000 then your maximum bet limit should be $1000 / $2000 and below
- If you have a bankroll of $25,000 then your maximum bet limit should be $250 / $500 and below
- If you have a bankroll of $5,000 then your maximum bet limit should be $50 / $100 and below
- If you have a bankroll of $1,000 then your maximum bet limit should be $10 / $20 and below
Mathematical Calculation:
If you are a beginner and you certainly need to know which bet limits are suitable for your bankroll then you can simply make use of this mathematical formula.
Formulae:
Bet Limits = Early Bets; Late Bets
{(Initial Bankroll / 100)}; {(Initial bankroll /100)} x 2
e.g., if you have a bankroll of $100 then your maximum bet limits should be $1 / $2 and below.
If players make use of this formula, it will certainly be a safe guard for you not to lose all your money very quickly. This technique when used, if you are on a losing streak it erodes your bankroll slowly and you are also able to double your bankroll if you play a max of 28 hands consecutively. This technique for table stake calculation is only used if you are a regular poker player or you are thinking of taking poker as your profession. Most poker players especially the beginners tend to make a huge mistake by selecting a table which is not suitable for their bankroll and the end result is that they lose their money very quick (in a short time) and they become devastated thinking that poker is a complex game or today was not my luck day.
Math and Skill
Poker is a game which requires math, tactic and skill. There is absolutely no relation between poker and luck over a span of time!
The Dealer Button
Now, we go back to the table. Before I take a seat on the poker table I search for the dealer button to see where it is located. To some players they tend to think that the dealer button does not play a pivotal role during game play and some are not even concerned about the dealer button. After checking the location of the dealer button, I immediately take a sit and commence game play.
The dealer button also plays an important role during game play. Of course, you can quickly jump into the game without the need of checking where the dealer button is located due to the fact that it will soon come your way. I suppose everyone knows the functions of the dealer button and how the game proceeds so I will not get into much detail. The dealer button gives an advantage to poker players but with most players to exclude the professional players they tend to think that the position of the dealer button is not really useful. Poker position is very important because a player can take advantage of it and control the game play in his / her own way.
Poker Position Advantage
Poker position advantage is given to a player who is sited in front of the dealer button. The most disadvantaged players are the first two players left to the dealer button as they are the first to make the compulsory bets known as blinds. The poker position advantage that the last player gets is the option to make a ‘check’ or ‘open’ if all players have made a call. Therefore, during pre-flop, a player is able to observe how everyone has played and in turn s/he can bluff easily by making an ‘open’ or if the player is holding a good hand s/he can make an ‘open’ so as to force other players to increase the pot size.
Poker position advantage is very important and it should always be considered during your game play.
Now we will look at the 14 poker hands played consecutively. The hands consist of the best strategies that players would have to make if they are to come across the same situation and also to include opponent and hand analysis.
Timing Your Decision
When you are sited at the poker table, during your game play, you are only given a couple of seconds so as to make a decision. Therefore, your decision should be made at a very quick rate (at the flick of a second) so as to hide away from your opponents who may easily judge your hand. At most cases, if you are very slow at making a decision this would mean that you are not confident with your hand and your opponents will become tighter to defeat.
Poker Hand 1
Pre-flop:
I am dealt with a 2
/ 7
and being the forth person to the left of the dealer button. The game proceeds and the player right after the player who has made a blind raise makes a ‘raise’. Now it’s my turn to make a decision, taking a look at my cards I can see that there is little I can do so the best option is to fold.
Analysis of Poker Hand 1:
Given such a hand 2 / 7 the best option would be for you to fold. Another factor is that the person who has made a raise, it’s either s/he has got a higher hand at which it is higher than yours but either way you should not even play the hand disregard to what the other player’s betting action was. It’s not about taking chance neither should you be a loose or an aggressive player. But, now let’s observe the outcome results of the game.
As I fold, the next player folds and the other player immediately makes a raise forcing the other two players to fold. The player left to the dealer button with a blind open then makes a call and the player with the blind raise makes a call. The player who just made the initial raise proceeds to make another raise, the second player who had made the second raise makes a call, the rest of the two players make a call and the three community cards are shown – The flop.
Poker Hand 1 the Flop:
Three community cards are shown and these are 7
- 6- A
The players who made raises continue to re-raise and it forces the other two players to fold. The two remaining players continue to raise against each other and the forth community card is dealt – The Turn.
Analysis of Poker Hand 1:
At most cases, if an ace falls on the table and players continue to make a raise this could mean that the players are holding a pair of an Ace or a ‘Three of a kind’ of any card given shown in the community. The other players who have just folded their hands also means that they could not meet the pressure coming from the other two players making a raise and also an Ace is showing on the table and none of them has got a better hand to challenge the Ace.Please Note: An important factor that players should take into consideration when playing is to focus mainly on the decision made by other players not just your hand. Focusing on the decision made by your opponents can easily give you a picture of what kind of players you are playing with and also be able to predict the value of their hand.
Poker Hand 1 the Turn:
The forth community card is dealt and the community cards show as follows 7- 6- A- K
The other player suddenly changes the mood of play and then decides to check but the other opponent keeps playing tight and makes an open but this time the player who made a check then makes a call and the fifth community card is dealt – The River
Analysis of the Turn:
Another high card is dealt on the table. This can also make players to change their game play anticipating that their opponents might be holding a Two Pair (A / K). At most cases the player who immediately makes a check would mean that s/he is not even holding a higher hand consisting of any of the two cards A / K or the player now wants to safe guard his/her bankroll if s/he loses. If the player remains in the game this would mean that s/he still holds a high hand.
Please Note:
A loose / aggressive player seldom makes a check. S/he would rather ‘open’ or ‘fold’ than to ‘check’. Loose / aggressive players often think that their hand is easily judged if they make a check. Hence, the ‘check’ option will not always be used by these players during game play.
Poker Hand 1 the River:
The fifth community card is dealt and the community cards show as follows 7 - 6 - A - K- 2
This time there is no much action in the game because the player who had made a check proceeds to make another check and the other opponent makes an open but the other player then goes for a call and the show down proceeds.
Poker Hand 1 Show Down:
Player 1 – Q / A and Player 2 – 5 / A
The pot is awarded to Player 1 and this is the player who changed his mood of play. Unfortunately the aggressive player does not win the pot.
Overall Analysis of Hand 1:
Holding a hand 2 / 7 is considered a low hand and the best option would be for you to fold the hand. If I was dealt with 3/7 off suit or suited I would make a call to the flop so as to observe the outcome whether a straight or flush is able to develop. Even being given a 3/7 suited does not mean I should play the tight-aggressive game style due to the fact my cards are low also meaning that I may have a low straight as well as a flush constructed with low cards.
From my observation, being dealt with a 2/7 is often known as a very weak hand which is meaningless and to cut the action quickly I just have to fold the cards. You should bear in mind that poker is a game of skill and the cards dealt to you need to work together as two and also with the community cards so as to develop a winning hand.
Bluffing is a technique which you should not use when dealt with a weak hand as this can cause a serious reduction of your stack. If I had remained in the game with my hand I would have won the pot with a two pair but this would show the other opponents that I’m a loose player and I will be playing a game of chance.
The best technique you would have to implement is to fold your hand and read your opponents as they continue game play so as to easily pick the loose-aggressive and tight-aggressive players.
Poker Hand 2
I am dealt with 7/5and being the third person left to the dealer button. 7/5 seems like a good starting hand but the only setback is that it is a low hand at which the only possibility of my hand developing into a good hand would be a low straight of 4-5-6-7-8 or 5-6-7-8-9. Thus, I can continue game play with my hand but this time I would focus mainly on the betting activities taking place on the table.
Analysis of Poker Hand 2:
With a hand 7/5 it would be wise to continue game play at which there is a possibility of the hand developing to a straight of full house. Other players such as aggressive players would rather fold such a hand but on the other hand your poker hand can be effective only if played properly.Now, what you have to look at is the betting action of the player who has the dealer button since s/he is the last man to act on the table. The person with the dealer button can change the entire game play and at time s/he can control the game play. Apart from the last man, you need to pay attention to all other players since 7/5 is not a strong hand neither is it a weak hand. An opponent who makes a raise will indicate that the person is either holding a hand above 10 either K/T, T/T, J/K, A/A etc. Thus, during your observation of the betting action, keep track of the players who are raising and re-raising. So what would be your betting action? If you have been face with a raise, you simply have to follow suit by re-raising although this exposes your hand to your opponents you certainly have no choose but to reach the flop. Therefore, you need to keep up with the betting action to reach the flop.
The Flop of Poker Hand 2
Community cards show 7- 9 -8
Now, observing your hand, it has developed to a pair and there are greater chances that you can come out with a straight since 9 and 8 have been laid on the table.
Now, you have to concentrate at the players who where raising and re-raising before the flop and bear in mind that you are also included as you opponents where also monitoring your betting action before the flop. Given that if any of your opponents make a raise during the flop this should tell you that the player is either holding a pair of Aces or a Pair of Ts and above. Others would remain aggressive if holding high cards such as A/K etc. Now, when its your turn to make the betting action, you certainly need to confuse your players and avoid them reading your hand. Instead of making a quick betting action, buy time and make your betting action when you are left with a few seconds to act. By doing so, your players will automatically judge your hand as week but for your case this would be known as a bluff. Keep bluffing till you reach the Turn.
Poker Hand 2 the Turn:
Community card show 7- 9 -8-7
Now, your hand has developed to a Three of A Kind, what will be your betting action? When it your turn to place a bet, you should not bluff at all, raise or re-raise so as to force your opponents to fold and if not, they will help you increase your pot size. You do need to be aggressive through out because if a 10 falls on the table any of your opponents could be holding a straight.
Poker Hand 2 the River:
Community cards show 7- 9 -8-7-6
Automatically your hand becomes a straight, the moment you make a re-raise your opponents would avoid betting against you because they already know what kind of hand you are holding.
Conclusion of Poker Hand 2:
Therefore, playing with a hand 7/5 is known as a connecting hand and it really advisable to continue game play when you are dealt with a connecting hand. As a player, connecting hands should be cards that are close together such as 4/7, 6/7, 8/T etc.
Poker Hand 3
As the dealer moves, you are now the second person left to the dealer blind and you have to make the compulsory bet – Blind Raise and have been dealt with A/K.
Analysis of Poker Hand 3:
From the compulsory bet, there is absolutely nothing you can do besides observing how your opponents are betting. A/K is considered a good starting hand but at the same time it can be costly if not played properly. Many players tend to lose so much money especially when they have been dealt with such a hand because they will always anticipate that it will soon develop to a strong hand or steal the pot by playing aggressively.
Due to the big blind (mandatory bet), all you have to do is check how your opponents are betting, but this time you should put much attention on the last man to bet on the table. Given that the last man can gain control over the game, if his or her bet is a check this indicates that s/he does not have a good hand but a re-raise will change the game play. However, if you are faced with a raise, the bets betting action is to bet rather than re-raise because at this moment when playing the 3rd hand you should have analyzed the players who are more aggressive than others. Thus, if the last man re-raises at which the previous hands s/he was not playing aggressive automatically it should tell you more about the hand s/he is holding. But, given a hand A/K should you play aggressively through out the game or play calm? The only appropriate answer to this situation is that you should play calm during pre-flop and if the hand develops to a good hand on the flop then proceed to play aggressively through out the game. Therefore, during preflop avoid raising or re-raising. On Flop, if the hand develops to a good hand proceed to play aggressive through out the game.
Poker Hand 3 the Flop:
Community cards show 2-7-5
Analyzing the flop, there is no point of continuing game play due to the following facts(i). The hand did not develop on the flop (ii). It highly likely that any one of your opponents is close to get a flash and a straight.Therefore, the best option is to fold your hand. However, playing aggressive from the given situation will lead to disaster and bear in mind poker is not a game of chance.
Poker Hand 3 the River:
Cards are shown as follows 2-7-5-J- QShow Down: Opponent 1- 2/ 7 Opponent 2: A/A Opponent 3: 2/2
Conclusion of Poker Hand 3:
The opponent with a stronger hand wins the pot – opponent 3. However, the betting action between all opponents is very aggressive but if you are able to read your opponents you will certainly know who has the best hand. Thus, if you continued game play with your hand you could have lost much cash, so you need to bet wisely all the time.
Poker Hand 4
This time you are left to the dealer button and a compulsory bet is imposed – blind open. You are dealt with a 6 / J. The best betting action to make is to fold your hand. Although you have one high card J it would be pointless to continue game play basing the strength of one card. One thing you should bear in mind when playing Texas Hold’em is that all two cards dealt to you should all work hand in hand and not independent from one another. Therefore, your staring hand should always consist of connecting cards, suited connectors or at times you can play with a starting hand of suited cards. Thus, from observing your hand, the best option is to fold and forget about it. Community Cards show K-4-T-6-6 and the pot is awarded to opponent holding K/ Q.
Yes, that’s true. You could have won the pot with a Three-Of-A-Kind only if you had continued game play rather than folding the hand. However, one thing you should bear in mind is that poker is not a game of chance. As long you follow the appropriate rules, you will be able to win effectively. Poker is a psychological game, from analyzing Hand 1 and Hand 4 you could have won the pots rather than folding the hands at which this starts to bombard your mind thinking what if I had played the hands I would have won. This is what gambling does to everyone. As you keep playing, you will always come across such situations. Always remain calm and you should not worry at all because your turn will always come so be patient as they say ‘Patience is virtue’. Don’t make the game affect you psychologically but rather remain focused. The main objective of the game is to play with a good hand rather than anticipating that you will win or steal a pot by playing any hand dealt to you. Psychology in poker will always happen and if you are not able to deal with it you will end up confusing yourself thereby playing a game of chance at which you will now tell yourself, ‘what if I play this hand I may win’.
Poker Hand 5
Now, you are the player with the dealer button meaning you will be the last man to bet on the table if players do not raise. This gives you a greater advantage over your opponents. From the previous hand won – Poker Hand 2, your opponents are beginning to understand your style of play at which is classed as aggressive. Having been dealt a J/T, the bets betting action is to raise or re-raise. However, being the last man to act, you should also observe each of your opponents betting action as well as analyzing their hand win percentage against the number of hands they have played. Remain aggressive through out the game, but in this situation, all players have folded their cards as soon as the flop shows 10-A-3 and it does not reach to the river or showdown. The main reason is that an Ace fell on the table and many opponents now think you are holding an ace due to the tight aggressive game style you are playing.
Poker Hand 6
As the dealer moves, you still have an added advantage as you are the second from last man to make the betting action. Being dealt with 5/5 known as the cowboys is a good hand to start with. Like all other situations, all you have to do is pay attention to the betting action being made by your opponents.With such a hand, you need to remain calm and avoid raising or re-raising but you should not quickly fold the hand. You can drive this hand to the turn or river depending on how your players are betting as well as looking at the community cards dealt on the table.
Pre-flop shows A-3-T
There are greater chances that you can come out with a flush or 3-Of-A-Kind. However, you need to pay attention to your opponent’s style of play. Given that the Ace has fallen on the table, if your opponents did not make a raise this would indicate that none of your opponents have an Ace. Usually, players tend to play aggressive when holding an Ace but as a professional player, when you are holding an Ace or Ks you should act as if you are holding a weak hand.
When playing poker, you should always try to change your style of play during game so as for your opponents not to read your style of play. It’s all about deceiving your opponents. The following hands will be a summary of what to play and what not to play. But with any hand you have selected to play with you should always take the following points into consideration.
(i) Pay attention to the dealer button, the dealer button affects your betting action and on the other hand it can help you improve your bluffing techniques in such a way that you can get to steal the pot. Thus, when playing poker, position is important during game play.
(ii) Pay attention to your opponents betting action.
(iii) Try to observe the opponents whose bankroll is decreasing and increasing regularly. These are often noted as loose aggressive players and you need to be tactile when facing such opponents. Therefore, only face them when you have a good hand. Don’t join them thinking s/he is always bluffing coz they can easily deplete your bankroll.
(iv) Always monitor your hand win percentage for each hand you have played. In my case, I always make it mandatory to maintain a 33-38% hand win percentage meaning out of 10 hands, I would aim to win 3 or 4 hands and lose 6. However, when I mean losing 6 hands, I would make sure that I either reach the flop and fold or alternatively, I would consider how my opponents are betting so that I do not wager much on a hand that I am willing to lose.
Poker Hand 7
Hand dealt with a K/TThis is a good starting hand known as suited connectors and you can play aggressively but try by all means to deceive your players no to read your hand. Thus, holding a K/T would indicate a possibility of a flush, straight, high two pairs developing.
Outcome: Community Cards 7-3-Q- K-T
Poker Hand 8
Hand Dealt with 3/8The best betting action is to fold the hand. The hand is neither a connecting card nor suited at which it is very difficult for it to develop to a good hand. Another fact is that the hand consists of low cards.
Outcome: Community Cards K-Q-7-T-T
Poker Hand 9
Hand dealt with A/2This hand known as the deuce is a hand that confuses many players especially the novice. It can be considered as a good starting hand but you need to be tactile. You certainly do not need to play aggressively with the deuce because it can deplete your bankroll easily. An important thing you should always bear in mind when playing poker is not to be over confident with any hand you holding. Therefore, drive the deuce to the flop and observe the flop. If the flop does not result in your hand showing a development of a straight or another Ace was not dealt on the board, its best for you to fold.Flop shows: 9- 6-A, continue with betting action and observe your opponent’s style of play.
Outcome: All opponents fold their hands.
Poker Hand 10
Hand dealt with 7/QThe best betting action is to fold. Like I said, ‘do not take chances during game play’, always play with connectors or suited connectors.
Outcome: K- J- 4, players do not reach the river. All other players fold except one player. Maybe all players thought s/he is holding a flush.
Poker Hand 11
Hand dealt with 4/Q
Betting action: Fold
Outcome: All players fold their hands pre-flop and the pot is awarded to the player with the blind raise.
Poker Hand 12
Hand dealt with 4/Q
Betting action: Drive it to the flop
Outcome on flop: T-7- 2, betting action: fold
Outcome – River: T-7- 2- 4- 9 and pot is awarded to the players holding T/K
Poker Hand 13
Hand dealt with 2/6
Betting action: Fold
Outcome: K- K- J- 7- Q
Poker Hand 14
Hand dealt with T/5
Betting action: Fold
Outcome: 7-8-Q-5-5
In this situation, you hand developed to a Three Of A Kind and if you did not fold the hand it would have depleted your bankroll because the pot was awarded to the opponent holding a /4 – Flush
Therefore, when playing a hand, always pay attention to the community cards as well as your opponent’s betting action.
