Starting hands.

[navuta]

Hey. from now on I will only play these hands.

Group 0: AA KK
Group 1: QQ JJ AKs
Group 2: TT AK AQs AJs KQs
Group 3: AQ 99 ATs KJs QJs KTs
Group 4: 88 AJ KQ QTs A9s JTs AT A8s
Group 5: KJ 77 QJ KT QT JT A7s K9s Q9s T9s J9s
Group 6: 66 55 44 33 22 A5s A6s A4s A3s A2s

[navuta]

And for most of the time from the middle of a tournamet, just the 3 first levels.
It helps me get mental connect to the pre flop odds of the game,.


or this one is also nice.
Poker Starting Hands Chart | No Deposit Bonus

[ffcowboy76]

For a new player I think either starting hand list is good. I think NDN's list is a bit better because it breaks down hands by position as well as strength. A late position hand played in early position is asking for trouble because you are out of position for the entire hand and can't get a good read on what your opponent is holding.

[klinkman]

I think I disagree with the way hands are ordered on this chart. Specifically, that it underrates pocket pairs. I think I would play 77 before Q10 suited, as 77 both has more equity preflop and plays more straightforward than Q10 suited. It's so easy for the Q10 to be outkicked when you hit a queen, but the 77 either hits a set, makes an overpair, or overcards come and you can fold to pressure. The only time it really gets awkward is on a board like J-4-3 rainbow and you're up against an aggressive opponent. The chart also way overvalues being suited. I usually think of being suited as adding one pip to the hand, by that I mean I'd value K10 suited about the same as I would KJ offsuit. This chart values it HIGHER than KQ offsuit, and that really just doesn't seem right to me.

Edit-I mean the chart posted in the thread, not the one linked.

[ffcowboy76]

Every chart you read is a bit different. I could probably search and find 3 different charts all saying basically the same thing. On the other hand, I think the general idea is correct. Most newer players need to limit their starting hands to the best possible. When you get more experience and knowledge under your belt you can start trying to out play your opponents with trash. Until you figure out how to play the basic starting hands, you need to limit yourself to the ones that offer the best chance of winning. It makes the game really boring, but if you want to extend your bankroll and allow yourself to play longer on fewer deposits follow the basic math rules.

[Hydrotrip]

I think I disagree with the way hands are ordered on this chart. Specifically, that it underrates pocket pairs. I think I would play 77 before Q10 suited, as 77 both has more equity preflop and plays more straightforward than Q10 suited. It's so easy for the Q10 to be outkicked when you hit a queen, but the 77 either hits a set, makes an overpair, or overcards come and you can fold to pressure. The only time it really gets awkward is on a board like J-4-3 rainbow and you're up against an aggressive opponent. The chart also way overvalues being suited. I usually think of being suited as adding one pip to the hand, by that I mean I'd value K10 suited about the same as I would KJ offsuit. This chart values it HIGHER than KQ offsuit, and that really just doesn't seem right to me.

Edit-I mean the chart posted in the thread, not the one linked.

Charts are def good to get started and get into the groove of things. As Klink said, some minor adjustments will make a big difference on ROI. Dan Harrington has really good construction of preflop holdings according to position and action, which is most important to know, but of course it doesnt factor in player style, your image, mixing it up, etc.. all the things necessary to make the best decision you can. Making a lot of arguable calls preflop with marginal holdings out of position and in a loose-weak field will definitely not pay out well unless you are running some cards. Hand selection will be prove to be a pretty important, if not the most important factor in this range of games. I will go and dig up those harrington books and try to recreate his suggestions for the variety of starting hands, and maybe you can compare that to others and your own. It might be a day or so, but I'll remember to get to it. -HT