The decision library
REFERENCE / PRACTICEStart with the action you face
A useful starting point is the following overview. A starting hand is two cards in a specific position against a specific wager. The same cards can justify different decisions in an unopened pot, after a raise or after several callers. Identify the price and the players still waiting behind you before evaluating the hand. Read this alongside the related information on this site.
High pocket pairs
The explanation below covers the main points. High pairs begin with a made hand and can dominate lower pairs before the flop. Their strength still depends on the board and the action that follows. An overcard, coordinated board or large multi-player pot can change what a pair is worth after the flop. These details provide context for the choices described here.
Small and medium pairs — details
The explanation below covers the main points. Smaller pocket pairs can improve to three of a kind, but that improvement is uncommon on any single flop. Calling a large wager solely to chase a set can be expensive. Consider the effective stack and what you might realistically win when the favorable card arrives. Use this explanation as a reference during your next visit.
Strong high-card combinations
This section explains what to expect. Two high cards can make top pair with a useful kicker, and some combinations also form strong straights. They remain unpaired before the flop. A high-card hand that looks attractive in isolation may be dominated when a tighter opponent enters with a stronger ace or king. A careful reading can help you distinguish the different situations.
Suited cards
This section explains what to expect. Sharing a suit creates a possibility of making a flush, but it does not turn every weak combination into a strong starting hand. A low suited hand can also make a lower flush than an opponent. Treat suitedness as one factor alongside rank, connectivity, position and price. Use this explanation as a reference during your next visit.
Connected ranks
For this topic, keep the following in mind. Consecutive or nearby ranks can connect with more straight possibilities than widely separated cards. They often need improvement after the flop to become strong. A draw's value depends on its clean outs, the price to continue and whether another player can make a higher hand. Keeping the full context in mind helps avoid misunderstandings.
Offsuit weak aces
A useful starting point is the following overview. A weak ace can make top pair with a poor kicker and lose to another ace. This risk can be easy to overlook when the board contains only one ace. Consider whether your hand can win a sizeable pot against the range of hands that would continue with you. Keeping the full context in mind helps avoid misunderstandings.
Early position requires care — details
This section explains what to expect. Acting early leaves more players able to call or raise after your decision. A tighter selection can reduce the number of difficult situations you enter without information. The right adjustment depends on the actual table, so avoid treating a fixed list as a guarantee of profit. Use this explanation as a reference during your next visit.
Late position offers information — details
Keep these details in view as you continue. When several players have folded, fewer opposing hands remain and your chance of acting last after the flop can improve. This can support a wider selection than early position. A large raise in front of you can still make a marginal late-position hand unsuitable. Use this explanation as a reference during your next visit.
Review ranges instead of one result
This overview brings the relevant details together. After a completed hand, ask which starting hands you would play in the same situation and why. A lucky flop does not make a costly pre-flop call sound. Use the local history to compare your intended plan with the later betting decisions it created. The same principles apply each time you use this part of the site.