Starting hands in No Limit Hold Em part 2
Part 2 – Hands that increase in value in No Limit Hold Em
So if high cards go down in value, which hands go up in value in no Limit Hold Em you may well ask?
Hands that increase in value in No Limit Hold Em are ones with high implied odds. These include small to medium pocket pairs 22-99, suited connectors such as 76s. They are hands that are easy to play post flop, as they either hit the flop hard in the form of a set, an overpair, a made straight or flush or a strong drawing hand or else completely miss. If they do miss you are invariable done with the hand, losing just the relatively small investment that you put in preflop.
Invest a little for chance to win big
Small and medium pairs for example lose many small pots but when they hit the flop they hit it hard and have the potential to win a huge pot. When out of position, especially in a very loose aggressive poker game, you may still have to routinely fold these hands preflop. Since there is lots of raising and re-raising going on, the implied odds are not sufficient enough to make up for the higher initial investment.
Tales of the Unexpected
Suited connectors increase in value for several reasons when large stacks are involved. Although you are primarily playing them for their flush and straight possibilities, they can also hit the flop in completely unexpected ways for your opponent. Say you are holding 76 suited and the flop comes 662, there is almost no way your opponent is going to think you have a 6. If they have an overpair, in particular a high pair, they may pay you off all the way in this spot. Similarly your two pair hands are not going to be expected.
Yet another use for your suited connectors – the semi bluff
Suited connectors also allow plenty room for semi bluffing. Say again you have 7c 6c on a flop of Tc 5s 4d. This flop you will note is unlikely to have helped your opponent. Betting and raising this hand strongly on the flop provides a good opportunity to knock out hands such as a medium pair like 88 or overcards such as AK that while currently ahead of you can’t stand the heat you can apply to them in this spot.
Semi bluff didn’t work – all not lost!
Of course in some cases the semi-bluff won’t work, because either your opponent gets stubborn with a mediocre hand or perhaps your opponent is not the type to routinely fold hands such as 88 or AK in the scenario described above. By the way buddy list him right away if he is that sort of player. On other occasions you will run into genuinely good hands such as an overpair, two pair or a set, but even then you still have outs with your straight draw and the backdoor flush draw.
Semi bluff your way to profit
In the long run semi bluffing your hand in this spot enjoys a positive expectation. If you are normally a tight player, people will be far more inclined to believe you have something like AT or an overpair than your actual holding of 7c 6c.
