Playing Before the Flop

Selecting the hand to start with is not as simple as it seems as there are a number of factors to consider before deciding.  These factors would include the number of players at the table, the number of players in the pot, the turn to act and whether the table is tight or loose.  Questions that need to be asked include whether the pot has been raised and from what player and position and the position of the entering player.

A tight game is basically a game where only about 2 to 3 players see the flop on average and then fold after the flop.  The game usually fails to last until the river card because everyone has folded.  Even expert players have no reason to play in such games.  Deciding to play in a tight game just the same requires a carefully selected starting hand and playing about 15% to 20% of it.

A loose game offers more possibilities as many players see the flop and have the tendency to go too far with their hand.  These games generally offer greater possibilities for profit although it is not advisable to play more than 30% of one’s starting hands.  The player however should still be very selective of which hands to play.

There is a greater chance of playing more drawing hands when many people see the flop.  More players generally provide a bigger pot since logically, the more players there are in the pot, the higher the pot odd becomes.  Big cards increase in value at a short-handed table with only six players or less. Hands like AT, KT and QT decrease in value in a full ring game as they easily become second best hands or trap hands.

Beginners and Intermediate players usually commit the mistake of playing any two big cards or any ace from an early position and call raises with the same type of hand.  This is the most common prelude to having trap hands.  This is called such because when a player limps for example with a KT from the early position and someone in late position raises it, the player could easily find himself/herself trapped against common raising hands.  Trap hands are playable in the right circumstance such as when a player is in the late position and is first in, the trap hand becomes a raising hand.

Some worthy pre-flop advice would benefit any poker player worth his salt.  Players should make sure to raise with top pairs (AA-JJ) and top connectors (AK,AQ) to drive out low pairs and various connectors to build the pot in case of a hit.  It is best to have respect for strong tight players and to be selective of starting hands.  Players should not give in to the temptation of playing too many hands when a few pots are lost. Calling a raise when one is not in possession of a very good hand is not a good idea.  Playing an ace with a lower kicker than ten is not suited except when a player is in a late position or on the button and no one has called.  In such a case, raising with an ace is called for due to the possibility of winning the blinds without a fight.

A play would depend on many other factors after the flop.  This would mean the information gathered pre-flop, knowing the opponent’s playing styles and betting strategies, and the possibilities of having or making the best hand.  If a player hits top pair with a strong kicker on the flop, then there is a strong hand thus the player should bet at the pot. A more difficult situation arises when players flapped a flush draw or straight draw or an inside straight draw with two over cards.  Should the player make the call if someone bets?  To reach a decision, it would be wise to surmise what the opponent’s hand is and then calculate the number of outs that have to be made to make one’s hand the winning one.  The key lies in understanding the possibilities of hitting one of the outs to provide the winning hand.

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