Poker: Which Cards Should I Play?

After you have got your two cards, you need to decide whether you have a chance to get anything with them or not. Whether it’s useful to put more money into this game or not.

Firstly, there are certain cards you should always play (if they are suited): AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, AQ, AJ, KQ, KJ

Why these cards?

These cards have the highest possibility to beat others – to get high pairs, full houses, flush or four of a kind possibilities. Of course, you do need to think about how much money you need to put into the game as well. For example, AA is the best pair you could have at all. But even with that pair there’s a chance to lose. So if you have AA, no flop has been dealt yet and someone calls ALL-In, then you need to think first whether you are ready for the risk or not. Yes, you do have a great chance to win this game, but these chances are never 100% sure. What if the other guy is bluffing and he has 10 and 3….but then from the flop he gets two more threes…or 10 and 3. There’s not a big chance for that to happen, but it’s possible and you do need to keep that in mind.

Secondly, there are all the smaller pairs like 22, 33, etc. With these cards you should call only when you’re one of the latest callers or somewhere in the middle. Never call with these cards if you’re the first one to call.

Thirdly, all kinds of suited cards (with a picture on it) like Q5, K6, etc.
And if the cards are suited then also hands like 98s, 97s, 96s,87s, 86s, 85s,76s, 75s,65s, 64s,54s, 53s,43s can be played with, but play these cards only when you’re in the end of the ring, one of the latest callers.

When talking about unsuited cards, then simply put – don’t play with anything smaller than pictures. QJ is okay, Q8 isn’t.

Some other poker pro’s can definitely disagree with me here just a bit, but these are the basics. This is a bit simplified look into it, but it should give you the general idea of what to play with and what not to play with.

Tom Corrier has been playing poker himself for some time now and even if he can't be considered a total pro, there are definitely some useful hints that you can take advantage of. You can read more from him at Gamblingdudes.com - Profits from online gambling