A gentleman by the name of David Sklansky analysed hands in a multitude of games and created a starting hands chart many of the world’s best players consider as a standard.
These starting hands charts are not from hand simulations, but from observations of actual games, meaning they show actual hands average players have used and the expected values, or average number of so-called big blinds likely to be made or lost.
The Texas Hold’Em EV starting hands chart created by Sklansky shows that a rocket pocket, two Aces, from a small blind game of $3/$6 will, on average, makes the big blind 2.71 times. In other words, it will make 2.71 times $6, or $16.20 for each hand.
In comparison, according to the starting hands chart, a pair of Twos from the dealer position, or Button, as it is often called, can be expected to make the big blind -0.12 times, effectively producing -$0.72 in the $3/$6 Texas Hold’Em game.
Players using these starting hands charts tend to greatly enhance their chances of making money at Texas Hold’Em over time by only playing the hands expected to have a profitable value. It is, of course, wise to remember that these expected values refer to average play, which may not be played in the way of a particular player.
Naturally, games still have to be played tactically, complete with observations, taking notes, calculating odds and watching out for traps. Each hand needs to be played according to the current situation, rather than sticking to a hand because it is supposed to be a so-called long term winner. Let’s face it, Texas Hold’Em is just as much a game of knowing when one should fold’em.
Importance of Positions in Texas Hold’Em Games
It becomes clear from the starting hands chart that the value placed on position is a most important aspect when considering a hand. In a game of Texas Hold’Em, the position one is in can have supply a great advantage and it is best to be as near as possible to the Button, or dealer, because the Button will be the last in line to take action after the so-called flop.
This is because in this position, players often bet or call with much weaker hands than they would normally play. It is also a case of people acting after a player being able to observe actions, make trick moves or, if necessary, steal the pot. This is the reason many expert players of Texas Hold’Em say that if the game is closely observed, money has a tendency to flow towards the dealer, or the Button.
This subsequently means that questionable hands, such as facecards and tens, tens and nines and maybe even combinations of Kings or Queens and Jacks should be dropped in early positions as a measure of tightening up one’s starting hands early in any particular game of Texas Hold’Em.
The starting hands chart clearly reveals that these kind of hands are likely to lose money over time. In a later position, players can rela their starting hands to include these combinations.
In Texas Hold’Em, the starting hands are a key to success. This does not mean that the starting hand strategy should be all about getting those big cards and getting on with winning. There is another side to it, namely trying to avoid getting into a situation where one calls down with a hand of weak cards. It is easy to get out-kicked and players should remember that in a game of Texas Hold’Em poker, a saved bet is equal to an earned bet.
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