The Best Poker Hands to Play and When

By Jonathon Parker | Published on 2021-09-02

Welcome to the world of poker! Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, understanding the best poker hands to play and when is essential to becoming a successful player. In this article, we will discuss the top poker hands to play and when to play them. We will also discuss the importance of position and how to use it to your advantage. So, if you're ready to take your poker game to the next level, let's get started!

Pre-flop considerations

When it comes to playing poker, the pre-flop is one of the most important stages of the game. This is when you get to decide which cards to play and when. It is important to consider all the factors before making your decision.

The first factor to consider is the position you are in. If you are in an early position, you will want to be more conservative with your hands. You will want to play tight and only play hands that have good potential. On the other hand, if you are in a late position, you can be more aggressive and play more hands.

Another factor to consider is the size of the pot. If the pot is small, you can be more aggressive and play more hands. If the pot is large, you will want to be more conservative and only play hands that have good potential.

Finally, you should also consider the players at the table. If there are many aggressive players, you may want to be more conservative and only play hands that have good potential. On the other hand, if there are many passive players, you can be more aggressive and play more hands.

By considering all these factors before making your decision, you can increase your chances of winning the pot.

Types of hands to play pre-flop

When it comes to playing poker, the pre-flop stage is arguably the most important. It is during this stage that you have the most information about your opponents and can make the most informed decisions. Knowing which hands to play pre-flop is essential to success in poker.

The most common type of hand to play pre-flop is a pocket pair. Pocket pairs are two cards of the same rank and can be played aggressively if you have a good position. Another type of hand to play pre-flop is a suited connector. Suited connectors are two cards of the same suit that are connected in rank, such as 8-9 of hearts. These hands can be played for value if you have a good position and can also be used as a bluff if you are in late position.

Finally, you should also consider playing hands with a high card value. Hands such as Ace-King, Ace-Queen, and King-Queen can be played for value if you are in a good position. These hands can also be used as bluffs if you are in late position and your opponents are weak.

Post-flop considerations

When it comes to post-flop considerations, the key is to assess the strength of your hand and the board. You should be aware of the potential draws and the strength of your opponents' hands. If you have a strong hand, you should be looking to bet or raise to maximize your profits. If you have a weaker hand, you should be looking to check or fold.

It is also important to consider the pot odds when making post-flop decisions. If the pot odds are favorable, it may be worth calling with a weaker hand. If the pot odds are unfavorable, it may be better to fold. You should also consider the size of the bet and the number of opponents you are facing. If you are facing multiple opponents, it may be better to fold a weaker hand.

Finally, it is important to consider the position you are in when making post-flop decisions. If you are in late position, you have the advantage of seeing how your opponents have acted before you. This can give you valuable information about their hands and can help you make better decisions. On the other hand, if you are in early position, you should be more cautious and only play hands that have good potential.

Playing suited connectors

Playing suited connectors is a great way to increase your chances of winning big in poker. Suited connectors are two cards in a row that are of the same suit. For example, a hand of 8-9 of hearts is a suited connector.

Suited connectors are great hands to play because they offer a lot of potential. You can make a straight or a flush with them, and you can also make a strong hand if you hit the board. When playing suited connectors, you should always be aware of the board and the other players' hands. If you have a strong hand, you should be willing to bet and raise. If the board is dry, however, you should be more conservative and only play when you have a strong hand.

Finally, when playing suited connectors, it is important to remember that they are not always the best hand. If you are up against a strong hand, you should fold your suited connectors. This will help you avoid losing more money in the long run.

Playing pocket pairs

Pocket pairs are one of the most exciting hands to play in poker. When you are dealt a pocket pair, you have two cards of the same rank. This can be anything from a pair of twos to a pair of aces. When playing pocket pairs, it is important to remember that the higher the pair, the better your chances of winning.

When playing pocket pairs, it is important to remember that the higher the pair, the better your chances of winning. However, it is also important to remember that the higher the pair, the more likely it is that your opponents will have a higher pair. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the other players’ hands and to play your pocket pairs accordingly.

When playing pocket pairs, it is important to be aggressive. This means that you should be willing to raise pre-flop and on the flop. This will help you to build the pot and increase your chances of winning. It is also important to remember that pocket pairs are vulnerable to draws, so it is important to be aware of the board and to be prepared to fold if your opponents are showing strength.

Playing big cards and small cards

Playing big cards and small cards is an important part of poker strategy. Big cards are those that have a higher value, such as aces, kings, queens, and jacks. Small cards are those that have a lower value, such as twos, threes, fours, and fives.

When playing big cards, it is important to remember that they are powerful hands that can win a lot of money. However, they can also be dangerous if you are not careful. If you are playing against a strong opponent, they may be able to outplay you with a bigger hand. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the strength of your opponents’ hands and to play your big cards carefully.

Small cards can also be used to your advantage. They can be used to bluff your opponents, or to make a small bet and see if you can win the pot. Small cards can also be used to make a small raise, which can be effective if your opponents are weak. However, it is important to remember that small cards can also be dangerous if you are not careful. If your opponents have a strong hand, they may be able to outplay you with a bigger hand. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the strength of your opponents’ hands and to play your small cards carefully.

Playing one-gap hands

One-gap hands are a type of poker hand that are made up of two cards that are one rank apart. For example, a hand of 8-9 or 7-10 would be considered a one-gap hand. These hands can be very powerful if played correctly, as they can often make strong straights or flushes.

When playing one-gap hands, it is important to consider the strength of your opponents’ hands. If you are up against a strong hand, such as a pair or two-pair, then it is usually best to fold. However, if your opponents are weak, then you may be able to make a strong hand with your one-gap hand.

It is also important to consider the board when playing one-gap hands. If the board is paired, then it is usually best to fold, as it is unlikely that you will be able to make a strong hand. However, if the board is un-paired, then you may be able to make a strong hand with your one-gap hand. In this situation, it is important to consider the strength of your opponents’ hands and the likelihood of them having a strong hand.

Playing two-gaps hands

Two-gap hands are hands that have two cards of different ranks between the two cards you are holding. For example, if you are holding a 7 and a 10, the two-gap hand would be 8 and 9. These hands can be very powerful when played correctly, as they can be used to make strong hands on the flop.

When playing two-gap hands, it is important to remember that they are best played in position. This means that you should be the last person to act after the flop. This gives you the advantage of being able to see what other players are doing before you have to make a decision. If you are in early position, you should usually fold these hands unless you have a very strong read on the other players.

Another important factor to consider when playing two-gap hands is the size of the pot. If the pot is small, it is usually better to just fold the hand pre-flop. However, if the pot is large, you can consider playing the hand as you will have more room to make a profit if you hit your hand on the flop. Just make sure that you are not over-committing yourself with the pot odds.

Playing three-gaps hands

When it comes to playing three-gap hands, it's important to remember that they can be tricky to play. Three-gap hands are hands that have three cards of the same suit, but with a gap in between them, such as 3-5-7 of hearts. These hands can be difficult to play because they don't have a lot of potential for a straight or flush.

However, three-gap hands can be powerful if played correctly. For example, if you are in late position and there are several players in the pot, you can use the three-gap hand to bluff. By betting or raising, you can often force out players who are holding weaker hands.

Another way to use three-gap hands is to make a semi-bluff. If you are in a multi-way pot, you can use the three-gap hand to make a semi-bluff. This means that you can bet or raise with the intention of taking the pot if no one has a strong hand. If you are called, you can still make a strong hand on the turn or river.

Bluffing with marginal hands

Bluffing with marginal hands can be a tricky and dangerous game. It is important to remember that when bluffing, you are betting on the chance that your opponent will fold. If your opponent calls your bluff, you will likely lose the hand.

When bluffing with marginal hands, it is important to pay attention to the board. If the board is heavily coordinated, your opponent may be more likely to call your bluff. If the board is dry, however, your opponent may be more likely to fold. It is also important to pay attention to the betting patterns of your opponents. If your opponent has been betting aggressively, they may be more likely to call your bluff.

It is also important to consider the size of your bluff. If you are bluffing with a large bet, your opponent may be more likely to call. If you are bluffing with a small bet, your opponent may be more likely to fold. The size of your bluff should be based on the board, your opponents’ betting patterns, and your own confidence in the hand.

Conclusion

Poker is a game of skill, luck, and strategy. Knowing the best poker hands to play and when to play them can give you an edge over your opponents. With a little practice and knowledge, you can become a master of the game and increase your chances of winning. So, take the time to learn the best poker hands to play and when to play them, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful poker player.