Poker Hands
A high card hand is the weakest poker hand you could have.
What Beats a High Card Hand
All other hands beat a high card hand.
The likelihood of you ending up with a high card hand is 1 in 4.74.
It is actually more common to land one pair than it is a high card hand.
For this reason, it is extremely risky to play.
It is impossible to know what pop in of hand you will have once the communal cards are drawn.
Therefore, you do not know whether you will have a high card hand or not.
It is vital to keep concentration and choose when you are going to make a move.
Folding is usually the best call, but if you want to bluff it, timing is everything.
But one thing is clear: you do not have a pair in the hole.
If there is a raise and you decide to meet it, then you go to the flop.
Whether you continue depends on how much the stake has been raised.
You should not be afraid to throw away your cards at this point.
This is only if you do not see a run-up for a flush or straight in the communal cards.
The Turn
After the turn is dealt, there is only one communal card left to draw.
Should the turn still not give you at least a pair, then you are in big trouble.
The chances of that final card matching up with either of your hole cards is low.
Hopefully, you have not put a lot of money in the pot.
It is easily possible that someone has a pair.
Therefore, move wisely.
If you have your eyes on the pot, you have to move aggressively.
If there is a remote possibility of someone having a straight or flush, then hold back.
Even if someone has a three of a kind, the straight and flush rank higher.
If you have an Ace at the showdown, you are probably going to win.
King, Queen and Jack are also good, but nothing beats Ace.
Say your high card has the same value as the other player.
You will need a higher-ranking kicker to beat the player.
An Ace and King are the best hole cards.
Worst Case Scenario
The worst case is if your hole cards are low ranking.
The communal cards can be used by you or the other player.
This means that the cards in the middle of the table will not help you.
2 and 3 are the worst hole cards.
Conclusion
The best strategy is to avoid ending up with a high card hand.
If you suspect that you will end up with a high card hand, you are better off folding.
