FLICK through the television channels at night and it will not be long before you stumble across a poker game. But while the players involved are increasingly varied, the game itself is always the same: specifically no-limit Texas hold ‘em.
There are countless variations of poker, but hold ‘em reigns supreme in television land. Each player receives two cards face down, known as their “hole” or “pocket” cards, before up to five more are dealt face up into the centre of the table. These “community” cards can be used by any of the players to contribute towards their best holding and since at least three cards of every player’s hand are face up, the two that are not are crucial.
What a poker player has “in the hole” is the game’s central mystery and the ability of a director to sneak a glimpse is the key to televised poker’s appeal. Strange, then, that a lot of new players fail to appreciate the value of their two hole cards, often declaring that they “want to see a flop” (the first three community cards) before they make any decision. However, a weak call before the flop with just any two cards is destined to land you in hot water.
The best two cards a player can be dealt before the flop are two aces. There is nothing better than looking down at the bullets and a raise is all but mandatory. Conversely, an unsuited seven-two is the worst holding; those are the lowest two cards with no straight nor flush possibilities and should be ditched as soon as you can.
How to play everything in between is open to conjecture, but it is worth asking yourself a simple question before calling or raising pre-flop: what community cards do you actually want to see?
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Let us say you like your ace-five pre-flop, raise and get one caller. Then let us say the flop shows an ace. Great, you have made the top pair, but since your opponent was also prepared to pay to see the flop, might he or she have an ace as well? If so, is your five better than the other card (or “kicker”) in their hand?
Try to think through potential post-flop scenarios before you commit any chips to a pot. Many two-card hands that look attractive at the outset are rendered useless by anything but a perfect flop. Do not be tempted too deeply into battle without sufficient ammunition in your pocket.