Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament

An Opponent Opens

In Jackpots and any other natural variations of Five-card Draw, there are suggested minimum opening requirements.

Of course, these variations are, in which the high hand wins and opening is optional.

Say that there are three numbers of players, the minimum is a pair of J's; four players - a pair of J's with two higher side cards or a pair of J's with a four-flush or bobtail, and so on.

In each of the following deals an opponent opens. There is no intervening raise, and it is your turn to act.

Player A deals, F checks. H opens, and you know he habitually opens with minimums in any position G fold, and you have Q Q seven five three. Raise, call, or fold? Fold. This is a matter of simple arithmetic.

Granted that H would not hesitate to open under the gun with only one pair of J's, and assuming that he holds no more than one pair, there are two pairs of openers, A's and K's, higher than your Q's, and there is one pair lower than your Q's.

It is very probable he holds more than your Q's. Don't chase: that is a basic principle of winning Poker.

F deals. H opens. You hold eight eight seven seven A. Raise, call, or fold? Fold. Do not stay with two short pairs in an early position, especially in a group as loose as this.

Others will probably come in, and the odds are approximately 11 to one you will not improve in the draw. You do not figure to win this pot, so retire.

H deals. G opens. You hold J J three three two. Raise, call, or fold? Raise. You probably hold the best hand at this stage, before the draw, but you are unlikely to improve.

Protect your hand - try to drive the opposition out. The fewer the stayers, the better your chance to win the pot.

A deals. H checks. G opens. You hold A A A five two. Raise or call? Call. This is an opportunity to trap the opposition. Your hand is a probable winner already, and if you improve in the draw, you will hold a near look. Let everybody come in at a low price.

You deal. B opens, and the others fold. You hold K Q J 10 six. Raise, call, or fold? Call. The odds just about the balance. The money odds are almost equal to your chance in the draw.

There are nine chips in the pot, and you can get in for two; that reduces to four point five to one.

The odds are exactly 49 to one against your catching the straight which is open at both ends, but if you do catch it and win, you will get nearly enough chips to have warranted your call.

Throw in your chips with a shrug or any other gesture which may suggest you are chasing. Build up a reputation for occasional looseness.