Key Hands in No-Limit Hold’em
Although a runners-up position in most games is quite rewarding, in poker, being second-best can lead to huge losses in money. If you have been playing limit hold’em and switched over to no-limit hold’em, you would find it difficult to understand why this happens. In case you are holding an AK and flop a top pair in a limit game, the possibility of you folding is very low since your hand can help you win very often. In case you end up second-best, you do not lose much. On the other hand, no limit hold’em games can cost you a lot of money if you are not discreet.
In no-limit hold’em, the six key hands are no-value hands, middle pairs, top pairs, over pairs, strong hands and nuts/near-nuts. No-value hands can never beat a bluff. With middle pairs, you can beat a bluff. The rest four are reasonable and good hands. A clear understanding of these hands will help you determine the pot size you can win. With lower value hands, only small pots can be won. Assume you have an AK and you can draw AJ4 from the board. When you are playing an opponent with a KJ, you would not make good profits. On the other hand, if A9652 is the board, you would payout an opponent with an 87. So, with a stronger hand, the likelihood of getting paid off is higher. All hands can make the nut.
The High Pocket Pairs such as AA and KK are generally called as overpairs. In case you hit a set with these hands, the possibility of getting paid off will be low. Imagine you have an AA with an A87 board. It is obvious that the likelihood of somebody having a top pair is low since only one ace is left. Therefore, you cannot beat a lot of strong hands.
In the case of Big Unpaired Cards such as AK and AQ, you can make a top pair. With these hands, you can hit straights and more often than not, the hand will be a top pair.
Small Pocket Pairs such as 33, 77, etc will form middle pairs, strong hands or nut hands. At the same time, Suited Connectors like T9, 64, etc form no-value hands, middle pairs, strong hands or nut hands. The best part about holding these hands is that you have a basic idea of where you stand in the pot. These hands can either be extremely weak or extremely strong.
Remember that the increase in hand value will offer an increase in opportunity for higher rewards. At the same time, the risks are also higher. If you have a trash hand, you do not stand a chance of winning the pot or getting paid off.
