Poker Strategy
Lil' and Large
I see a lot of players around who seem to think A6 or K4 are gifts from Po'Kar,
the God of Gambling. The fact of the matter is that A6 off-suit is such a poor
hand that I throw it away when in almost any position. If I'm on the button with
two tight players to my left I might raise with it to steal the blinds but I
don't need to wait for an Ace to do that, 4,7 will do!
So why, if you have one of only 4 of the top cards in the deck is it a bad hand?
Now, firstly, let me set the situation, I'm talking about tournament play at a
table with 6+ players. When playing heads-up, A6 is a monster!
My general point is that you should be able to "see" where the hand is going and more importantly where you are going to make lots of chips from it! What are your hopes and aspirations for A6? How is this hand going to garner you lots of your opponent's chips? Don't dream of AA6 flops, dreams are for losers who chase everything to the last card because there is still a card left in the deck that can make them winners. So, realistically, what are you hoping to see on the flop? An Ace? Ok, let's look at a few simple scenarios.
1. An ace flops, no one bets, you bet out and everyone leaves. You win a small
pot there and then.
2. An ace flops, no one bets, you bet out and someone calls. Now you don't know
what is going on. Perhaps he has a weak ace also. Perhaps he has AK. Perhaps
he's drawing to that straight or flush draw on board. You are going to have
difficulty with this hand as you barely have better than a bluff and anyone who
calls your bets on the turn and river will certainly beat you. You might as well
have J2 and be bluffing here! What are you going to do if he re-raises you on
the river?
3. An ace flops, no one bets, you bet out and someone re-raises you. Now you are
in trouble. Saving a bluff, he has you beat for certain. You should drop the
hand unless you STRONGLY think he is bluffing. You've lost your call and your raise.
More likely no ace will flop, so what happens then?
4. No ace flops. It's checked around and again on the turn and again on the river. Your ace might be good but probably someone will have hit something with one of their kickers. You certainly aren't going to take down a big pot with this hand.
5. No Ace Flops and a player before you bets. You should probably fold.
6. No Ace flops, no one bets and you bet representing a hand, you are hoping everyone folds. Even if they do, you only win the blinds.
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