How to expand the value of the hole cards – 177Bet Poker Game
The editor has received a lot of questions recently. Today, I summarized them. Let’s start with the simple ones. Many players have a standard question: how do they maximize the value when they get ordinary or perfect hole cards? This problem is a common problem for most players who play Texas Hold’em. When they get good cards, they raise the bet rashly and scare their opponents away directly, or they keep checking the cards and wait for the opponent to play the value. As a result, the opponent still keeps checking the cards, and the result is that they hold a natural straight or four-of-a-kind and collect a pot. At this time, it is too late to raise the bet. So today, we will share with all players how to maximize the value.
Case analysis – 177Bet Poker Game
First, let’s take the example of the hole cards of AX (AK AQ AJ A10 A9 A7 A5). When we get such a hand, how do we play the value? Because these cards are not strong, they are also the easiest to get. We have to enter the game with some cards to ensure our winning rate. Most AX-type cards are not so easy to deal with, and it is not easy for professional players to use them to win the game. If we learn how to deal with cards like AX, it can bring us a lot of benefits because the common ones are the normal situation.
Let’s analyze AK first. AK is an exceptional card type. It is significant, and its probability of losing is not tiny, but it is unique regarding cards. Many players have heard a saying that those who don’t go all-in with AK are fools, but those professional players are often more cautious than usual with this card.
First, let’s compare the probability. First, look at AK against a smaller pocket pair. AK has a 43% win rate against QQ, and AK has a 47% win rate against 22, so AK is slightly at a disadvantage when it meets a pocket pair. Then, compare it with smaller cards. AK has a 64% win rate against QJo; AK has a 64% win rate against 107o; AK has a 58% win rate against 76s; AK has a 60% win rate against 34s. According to the above data, although AK looks like a perfect hand, its win rate is only medium, and its win rate is manageable for other loose cards.
So, it is unsurprising that professional players are very cautious when they get this hand. Of course, if you get AK and encounter a hand that can directly crush, the situation will be much better. AK has a 74% win rate against AJo; AK has a 74% win rate against A3o; AK has a 70% win rate against KQ0o. AK has a win rate of more than 70% for these cards that it suppresses. But if you encounter AA or KK, it’s a mess. AK has a 7% win rate against AA; AK has a 30% win rate against KK. At this time, you must remember to cut your losses early. After understanding these data, all players know why AK is an exceptional hand. It looks mighty, and the hand is easy to match, but it has a slight advantage against any hand except two big pairs.
This feature makes AK a perfect hand in tournaments. Because in tournaments, most of the time we are in a short-stack state, we can use it to go all-in, no matter what we face, we can have a little advantage, so we can often win the pot. However, most of our players play regular games. AK is also a good hand on regular tables, but it could be more suppressive, so we must be cautious and not go all-in before the flop. Because although it can bring victory, it is only a relatively small pot. If the opponent calls or raises, losing the opportunity and the big pot is easy. Because when AK is made, it is often a top pair with a top kicker. If the opponent does not have a more robust card than a top pair with a top kicker, he usually throws it directly and does not invest a lot of chips.
Conclusion
Although AX is a good hand in terms of hand type, it is also extraordinary. Generally speaking, people will play it more aggressively. If we are in the small blind or big blind position, we can play it according to the method I have summarized for you. When we are in the front position, we raise most of the time and call occasionally. We can consider a 75%-25% raise and call ratio. When we are in the middle position, we can increase the raise rate and reduce the number of calls. If the A with high cards can directly win the pot, it is already good. In the back position, we can follow the different methods of the middle position, but we must be cautious because the front may be setting a trap for us. If someone has already followed up, the flat caller can raise appropriately to pressure the opponent. If the front position rises, we can call. If the front raises again and someone counter-plays, don’t hesitate; just fold, conserve your energy, observe the opponent, and prepare for the next game.
The above example explains that we will directly get to the point. First, we should use the position advantage to play. The better the position, the more valuable it is to play hands like AX. If you are in the CO position, everyone in front of you has folded, and the chance that you are the only one holding an A at the table has greatly increased. Now, even an A with a weak kicker may be the best hand among the remaining players, so you can play more aggressively. Secondly, you can play more appropriately at tables with fewer players. With fewer players, the probability of you being suppressed by a better A is reduced. Therefore, these hands can be played more aggressively at a 5- or 6-person table. Finally, you can play more in low-level games where the opponent’s skills are generally weak because, at weaker tables, players tend to play any card with an A. If you hold AJ and an A appears on the flop, you may have suppressed your opponent’s PS (at high-level tables, players usually only play AK and AQ and often fold other cards with A). In addition, AX flush frequently gets payouts after hitting a flush on a weak table because poor players may only care about their cards and rarely pay attention to the changes in the cards and the betting situation. If you are in the middle and high-level field, you must be more cautious with the AX type of cards. When we get this kind of card, the ideal situation is that we are in the back position, and many people in front of us have a flat call, or many people call after the front position recognizes the raise. The more people enter the game, the better the situation is for us because the odds for us to call are more cost-effective, and the implied odds are excellent, so it is worth calling. In addition, just like playing small pocket pairs and other types of cards, it is best for us and our opponents to have deep chips, at least the opponent’s chips are 25-30 times his raise amount so that after hitting the card, the maximum value can be played, so the deeper the chips, the better.
I have shared so much with you, but the most important thing is practicing more. There is an old saying in China that practice makes perfect. So everyone should come to our 177Bet online platform to find a suitable opponent for themselves because the online platform has not only real players to play with you in real-time 24 hours a day but also has different levels of fields for players to choose from. Only by selecting evenly-matched opponents can our level improve. The 177Bet online platform is waiting for professional poker players to come and play.
