Poker News and Tips

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Poker Online
  • Online Casino
  • Baccarat Online

logo

Poker News and Tips

  • Home
  • Poker Online
  • Online Casino
  • Baccarat Online
  • Top Festive Online Slots In 2021

  • Important Things About Online Poker That All Players Should Know

  • Things You Shouldn’t Do While Playing Online Slot Machines

  • Getting To Know Your Online Slot Machines

  • Main Advantages of Playing Online Slot Machines

Poker Online
Home›Poker Online›Poker School: Texas Hold’em Trouble Hands

Poker School: Texas Hold’em Trouble Hands

By Logan Lee
January 18, 2019
1452
0

In this segment we’d like to take a look at some of the starting hands which cause problems for beginning and intermediate players, even though their strength cannot be disputed. The hands are AK and AQ, and the reason why they trouble many new players is that they look so good yet often come up short. Many may ask, why is this? It all comes down to how you bet these cards, so here’s a brief explanation of what to do when dealt these cards.

The reason that AK frustrates many players is that even though it is a raising and reraising hand (especially when suited), it’s going to miss the flop approximately two-thirds of the time. This means that once you’ve raised and established your presence as a likely favourite (and felt the secret thrill of collecting another pot), the flop comes out with something totally unhelpful, like Jd 9h 7c. In typical fashion, two players before you check the pot, another player raises, and you suddenly feel that the advantage you had enjoyed a minute ago has completely disappeared. Or, even more dangerously, you have in fact flopped an Ace, but the other two cards are a pair or a connected same-suit duo. Now, two of your opponents have raised and show no signs of backing down. What should you do here?

What you must understand about AK is that it’s a strong hand, but it’s by no means a lock to win. You don’t raise because you know you’ve got it made, but rather you raise because at this point you’re the odds-on favourite to win. You want to capitalize on this position and make the other players add as much as possible to the pot until you lose this advantage, potentially after the flop comes out. So, raise with the understanding that as soon as you appear to have lost the nut hand, you need to call off the dogs and either start calling bets or fold entirely. If you flop a top pair but there’s nothing else on the board that will improve your hand, then you’re looking at very slim odds. In this case, you have only two outs (the cards on the turn and river which will make your hand a winner) to make your set (three of a kind), and even that won’t top a straight or a flush.

This is exactly why you’ll often hear players moan about AK, or “Big Slick” as it’s often referred to. For many, it’s the quintessential hand for losing big pots and winning small ones. Some will claim that it’s better to limp in with AK, rather than raise pre-flop, but this is not true. As a starting hand, AK is very powerful and your fortune should be exploited. By raising you will scare off many, and the fewer players you face, the stronger your position becomes. Callers will be forced to pay a premium to stay in, and the flop will give you an indication of whether or not to continue.

The same holds true for AQ, but obviously here you need be mindful of potentially stronger hands, particularly when your Ace flops. If an opponent raises you, he might be the one dealing with the questions which arise when holding “Big Slick”.

In sum, don’t fear AQ and AK. They are strong opening hands which win more often than lose, but at the same time, don’t expect too much. Raise on them, and let the board dictate your following actions. Good luck and have fun!

Next Article

Free Online Poker

Related articles More from author

  • Poker Online

    Free Online Poker

    February 15, 2019
    By Logan Lee
  • Poker Online

    Things to Keep in Mind before Playing Niche Poker Online

    February 23, 2021
    By Logan Lee
  • Poker Tips
    Poker Online

    Video Poker Tips – Pt. 1 of 2

    March 22, 2019
    By Logan Lee
  • poker
    Poker Online

    Important Things About Online Poker That All Players Should Know

    July 18, 2021
    By Logan Lee
  • Poker Online

    The 10 Golden Rules of Online Poker

    December 19, 2019
    By Logan Lee
  • DominoQQ online poker site
    Poker Online

    Gambling with the DominoQQ online poker site is the best choice

    October 6, 2020
    By Logan Lee

Leave a reply Cancel reply

0

You may interested

  • Slots Online

    Getting To Know Your Online Slot Machines

  • Play Scratch Games
    Gambling

    Scratch Games

  • Poker Online

    The 10 Golden Rules of Online Poker

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Baccarat – Straight-Forward Gambling Game

Timeline

  • November 14, 2021

    Top Festive Online Slots In 2021

  • July 18, 2021

    Important Things About Online Poker That All Players Should Know

  • July 12, 2021

    Things You Shouldn’t Do While Playing Online Slot Machines

  • June 19, 2021

    Getting To Know Your Online Slot Machines

  • May 13, 2021

    Main Advantages of Playing Online Slot Machines

Categories

  • Baccarat Online
  • Gambling
  • Online Casino
  • Poker Online
  • Slots Online
Slots Online

Top Festive Online Slots In 2021

As December is just around the corner, it is time for you to set aside your usual online slot games. Why? Well, because you need to try the Christmas-themed slots. ...
  • poker

    Important Things About Online Poker That All Players Should Know

    By Logan Lee
    July 18, 2021
  • gambling game

    Things You Shouldn’t Do While Playing Online Slot Machines

    By Logan Lee
    July 12, 2021
  • Getting To Know Your Online Slot Machines

    By Logan Lee
    June 19, 2021
  • Online Slot Machines

    Main Advantages of Playing Online Slot Machines

    By Logan Lee
    May 13, 2021
  • Online Casino Games

    Facts and Lies About Online Casino Games

    By Logan Lee
    May 9, 2021
  • About Online Slot Games

    Facts About Online Slot Games You Didn’t Know

    By Logan Lee
    April 20, 2021
  • slots in vegas

    15 Common Terminologies Of Slot Machines and Their Meanings

    By Logan Lee
    April 1, 2021
  • cards

    Money Making Tricks For Online Casinos

    By Logan Lee
    March 17, 2021

Our Partners

Categories

  • Baccarat Online
  • Gambling
  • Online Casino
  • Poker Online
  • Slots Online
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Top Festive Online Slots In 2021

    By Logan Lee
    November 14, 2021
  • poker

    Important Things About Online Poker That All Players Should Know

    By Logan Lee
    July 18, 2021
  • gambling game

    Things You Shouldn’t Do While Playing Online Slot Machines

    By Logan Lee
    July 12, 2021
  • Getting To Know Your Online Slot Machines

    By Logan Lee
    June 19, 2021
  • Top Festive Online Slots In 2021

    By Logan Lee
    November 14, 2021
  • Free Online Poker

    By Logan Lee
    February 15, 2019
  • Poker Tips

    Video Poker Tips – Pt. 1 of 2

    By Logan Lee
    March 22, 2019
  • Video Poker Tips – Pt. 2 of 2

    By Logan Lee
    April 5, 2019

Follow us

June 2022
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
« Nov    
© Copyright. All rights reserved.