Grand Adventure

Last night I had my first Royal Flush.  I was only able to squeeze out .12 (it was a cash ring game) after hitting it from the guy that was heads up with me.  Still, to hit the highest hand type (odds of getting a Royal Flush are approximately 1 in 649,740) is cool nonetheless.

I did a class presentation on starting hands for Hold Em for a school requirement last week.  Below is my outline:

1.  Card Factors. 

      a. Discussion.  Card strength is the most important criteria of the three card factors.  Whether the cards are connected or suited are important at about the same level to each other.

•  Card strength.  An Ace is better than a 2.  A pair is (generally) better than a non-pair.
• Connectedness
  • A Queen + Jack (i.e. QJ), regardless of suit, as a starting hand is considered to be connected.  The closer to each other, the stronger the connection. 
• Suited
  • Are the two cards dealt to you of the same suit?

         b. Application.   The strong hands in poker are based on card strength, connectedness, and of the same suit working together.

•  Card Strength: Pair, Two Pair, Three-of-a-Kind (aka “a Set”), Full-House (a Pair + Set), and Four-of-a-Kind.
• Connectedness: Straight.
• Suited: Flush.
• Connectedness + Suited: Straight Flush.
• Card Strength + Connectedness + Suited: Royale Flush.

 2. Other Factors.  

• Your current position at the table.  Later is better.
• Table dynamics. 
  • Does the table generally play “loose”? (many players in the pot each hand, and/or when cards revealed the losers and even the winner have weak hands?)
  • Does the table play “tight”?
• Overall number of players at the table.
• Size of the chip stacks/money available, yours and your opponents.
• How many are in the pot in front of you
• Are their raises and even re-raises in front of you?
• How well you play after the flop