Preflop Hands

Playable preflop hands (your first two cards) depend on your position at the table and we will talk about a standard table of 10 players. Let's divide theese players into several groups: 

Preflop Hands - Early position:

Players 1-3 from the blinds, they make the first move. In this position you must be very carefull to enter the game and only with good hands, because there are other players after who will make a move and in case of a raise, you have to throw off the Edge Hand. So, if you have following preflop hands: 

AA, KK, QQ, and AK (suited or not) and AQ suited, you raise equal to 3-4 big blinds. If opponent reraise your hand with AK, AQ, and QQ you made a min preflop raise (2-3 big blinds), but with AA and KK it would be better to reraised and strive for all in. 

With preflop pairs of JJ, 10-10, 9-9, and AQ unsuited, AJ, A-10 (suited or unsuited) and KQ suited you call and in the case of a small raise (3-4 big blind) call a bet . In case of all-in and big raise it is much better to fold and wait for better moment. Don't forget that you are on early position.

All the other hands you fold!

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Preflop Hands - Middle position:

4-7 Players after the big blind. In this preflop position,you can enter the game with more combinations, because you are not the first and you saw the previous action. So, if you have following preflop hands: 

AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10-10, AK, AQ and AJ (suited or unsuited), you make raise equal to 3-4 big blinds. If your hand was re-raised it is normal to call with AK, AQ, AJ, QQ and JJ, 10-10, but if you are lucky one to get AA and KK it would be better to reraised and strive for all in, like it was in early position, remember these are very strong hands.

With pairs of 9 to 2, and hands like A-10, KQ (suited or not), A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, KJ, K-10, QJ, Q-10 and J-10 suited and you min raise(2-3 big blinds). In case of all-in and big raise it is much better to fold, if opponent re-raised before you, it is fold. 

All the other hands you fold!

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Preflop Hands - Button:

Best seat at the table as you are the last one to make decision and you have seen all opponents actions and you may enter the game with broder range of hands.

If nobody called, then raise with the following preflop hands: all pairs, Ace-any card, any combination between 9,10, J, Q, K. 

If there was a call, you raise 3-4 big blinds with AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10-10, AK, AQ and AJ (suited or unsuited). If you were reraised, call with AK, AQ, AJ, QQ, JJ and 10-10 but with AA and KK it would be better to reraised and strive for all in. 

With pairs of 9 to 2, and hands A-10, KQ (suited or not), A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, KJ, K-10, QJ, Q-10 , J-10, 9-10, 8-9, 7-8, 6-7 suited you min raise (2-3 big blinds) and in case of a small raise (2-3 big blinds) call. If the opponent has made huge raise it is beeter to fold, probably he got something good.

If there was a raise, having AA or KK you reraise, and with hands QQ, JJ, AK (suited or not), AQ (suited) you call.

Preflop Hands - Small blind:

If there was no call, then make a raise with preflop hands: all pairs, ace-any card, any combination between 9,10, J, Q, K.

If you have a call, and hands - AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10-10, AK, AQ and AJ (suited or not), you raise 3-4 big blinds. If you were reraised with AK, AQ, AJ, QQ and JJ, 10-10 then just call and with AA and KK reraise and go for all-in like it was in all previous steps.

With pairs of 9 to 2, A-10, KQ (suited or not), A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, KJ, K-10, QJ, Q-10 , J-10, 9-10, 8-9, 7-8, 6-7 suited, you min raise (2-3 big blind) and in case of raise you call. If there is massive raise - the best way is to fold.

If more than 5 players called big blind, then mathematically it is better to call, practically with every hand as you have to add a little amount of money and see the flop. 

If there was a raise, then with the pairs AA, KK make reraise, and with pairs QQ, JJ, AK (suited or not), AQ (suited) make the call.

Preflop Hands - Big blind:

You have already placed a bet and you have to defend your big blind. 

If you were called, then with preflop hands AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10-10, AK, AQ and AJ (suited or not), you raise 3-4 big blinds. If you were reraised with AK, AQ, AJ, QQ, JJ and 10-10 you call and AA and KK give you the opportunity to reraise and push for all-in.

You check with all other hands. 

If there was a raise from the button or small blind, then with the pairs AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10-10, 9-9, AK, AQ, AJ, A-10, A-9 and QK (suited or not) you reraise. Having all other pairs, ace-any card, combination between 9,10, J, Q, K you call

Remember that is basic information, but it will help you in the beginning as it works well and practically every player used. Take into account that everyone knows it and they might recognize your hands by your action. There are other factors which make change way of behaviour. Here are some examples: Status of the tournament (freeroll where players usually do make mistakes as they haven't paid money or 100$ buy in tournament), Agressive or passive table, The value of your stack. 

To become a better poker player you should try poker training at Deuces Cracked or Cardrunners. 

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Enjoy your game!