New poker

Poker hand evaluation

A poker player should know if his hand is strong enough to take the pot. If his hand is strong, then he will most probably win, unless one of his opponents is skilled enough to bluff him out of the game. If the poker player’s hand is weak, then it is probably best to fold and save some of his bankroll. But how can a poker player know if his hands are strong? Here is a simplified guide for the new poker player. This guide is also a good recall for the seasoned player.

The best hands that a poker player can ever hope for are called “premium hands”. These hands can win the poker game on their own. These hands are the high pairs and the straight-draws with Aces, such as an Ace and a King. High pairs can be a pair of Aces, a pair of Kings, a pair of Queens, a pair of Jacks, or a pair of Tens.

Next to the premium hands are the “strong hands”. These hands can probably win, even when they are not augmented or improved. Strong hands can be “Royal Draws”, “Ace-High Straight Draws” or “Medium Pairs”. Royal Draws can be a pair of starting hands composed of a King and a Jack that are suited. Ace-High Straight Draws can be pocket cards composed of a King of Clubs and a Queen of Diamonds. Medium pairs can be two Nines, two Eights, and two Sevens.

Next in rank to strong hands are the “drawing hands”. These hands are starting hands that may win when combined with the help of the community cards. Examples of drawing hands are “Little Pairs”, “Connected Straight Flush Draws”, and “Ace-High Flush Draws”. Little pairs are two Deuces, two Threes, two Fours, two Fives, and Two Sixes. Connected Straight Flush Draws can be a Six and a Seven that are suited. And Ace-High Flush Draws can be an Ace and a Seven that are suited.

All other starting cards that are not part of the three groups above can be considered as “garbage hands”. These starting hands should never be played at all, unless the poker plans to lose a lot of money. He might as well give away his chips.

When a poker player has mastered evaluating his starting pocket cards, he will have lesser difficulty in making decisions during the four betting rounds of Texas Hold’em poker. And, at the end of the poker session, he may even gain a considerable profit.