Strategies For Winning Poker Hand Analysis
- Filed under: Poker
- Date: May 30,2010
For those players new to the game of poker there is a tendency to view each round of betting in isolation. While clearly the odds of having a winning hand shift from round to round, the information picked up from previous rounds can deliver valuable insight for devising the ongoing game plan. The best players catalogue each bet, hesitation and fold helping them paint an overall picture as the hand develops. Attaining that high level of accuracy of prediction makes for a much better poker player over the long haul.
By understanding how each player bets relative to his or her tendencies, you’ll have much greater insight into how the hand unfolds. If a player makes a move you don’t expect, it may be a good idea to re-evaluate what you believe he or she is holding, or to update your player expectations accordingly. By playing close attention to every hand, including those you’re not active in, you’ll be able to improve your understanding of how other players bet at the table.
Weighing Pre Flop Play
Positioning is important when it comes to understanding what each player at the table is likely holding. Facing a raise in early position is likely an indication a player has a strong hand. Usually a high pair (10′s of greater) or high ace (Ace-King or Ace-Queen suited) can be assumed. Following the assessment of a large number of hands it has been recognized there are about 25 hands with a positive expected value. These range from Ace-8 suited to pocket aces. Out of the 25 the strongest five hands are A-K suited and pocket Jacks to aces. Holding one of these hands increases the chances of ultimate success.
A raise from a player in early position usually indicates they have a strong hand, and a re-raise signals another player believes they are in an even stronger position. Unless you are holding pocket aces, this is probably a good time to re-think your strategy for this hand. Playing a strong pocket king hand in the face of a re-raise or two will frequently put you at a disadvantage to pocket aces. Also take into consideration that an A-K hand is a slightly statistically lesser hand to pocket tens, so be sure you are adjusting your odds as play progresses.
Gaining Knowledge from Each Betting Round
As you stay in a hand past the flop, remember what you think the other players are holding based on their behavior. Being able to assess that another player holds a high pair before the flop will be very helpful if you remain in the hand. Staying in with a chance to hit a top flush or straight may give you good pot odds when there is a large pot and multiple players. However you should always remember you may be playing in some cases against someone with a higher drawing hand.
Smart betting decisions coupled with updating your analysis each round will greatly assist in making the best decisions at each stage of the game. Compiling a complete sequent of events from each round of betting will help you devise the most advantageous position for betting as you move toward showdown.
The author of this article plays online poker and gets Rakeback at Full Tilt Poker where they offer the highest Full Tilt Rakeback.
