At this early stage, some players will already want to raise the pot.
Others may throw their cards away, not even waiting for what cards the flop will bring.
The starting cards can easily dictate a player’s actions, even from the get-go.
In this example, 8 players are sitting at the table.
If there were only 6, it’s possible for you to cut out the two middle positions.
In the case of larger tables, simply add 1 or 2 players to the middle position.
This starts the round.
If the pot has been raised, they can fold weaker cards.
The pot has probably already been raised by this point, and they can increase the stakes.
Button
The button is the most desirable position as they are the last in each betting cycle.
After analysing what the other players have done, they can start their action.
This includes 13 pocket pairs, 78 suited hands and 78 unsuited hands.
Pocket Pairs
A high pocket pair is the best hand you might be dealt.
Medium pairs are anything from a pair of 7s up to a pair of 10s.
These are still valuable but you would not want to play as aggressively as if you had premium pairs.
Gappers are even more dubious, as these are sequential cards with a gap in the middle.
4 and 6 or 7 and 9 are one-gappers whereas 4 and 7 or 7 and 10 are two-gappers.
With both connectors and gappers, you are far better off with suited hands.
This all relates to your position at the table too.
Unopened Pot
The pot has not been opened, which means that no raises have been called.
You should always raise if you have a late position at the table.
Also, if you have a suited Ace-2 connector, then you should fold this.
Any offsuit gappers under 10-Ace should also be discarded.
They have not raised, and are therefore Limping their way to the flop.
Also, if you have an offsuit 2-Ace, then you should always fold.
With Raised Pot
Once a raise has been made, your tactics will change completely.
With all other pairs it is best to sit tight and call the bet.
Suited connectors of 5-6 or lower should be folded.
Be wary of two-gappers as anything below suited 9-Queen should be folded too.
With a middle position, you do not have as many luxuries as the late position.
Early positions are tough, especially when someone has already made a raise.
you’re free to re-raise with a pocket pair of Queens or higher, or suited/offsuit King-Ace connectors.
If you have Queen-Ace gappers or suited Jack-King gappers, you should call the bet.
In all cases, suited 4-5 or offsuit 7-8 are worth throwing away.
Also, always fold gappers under 5-7 and four-gappers as these will virtually never pay off.
Here are some extra tips to consider.
it’s possible for you to always come back later and have another go.
This comes with time and patience.
You may have a very poor hand but play an excellent round of poker and win.
Anything can happen, and that is why it is such a popular game.
