Reading the chart: This is the same data as the basic starting hands chart, just arranged differently. Say you are in middle position and want to know how low a pair you can call with in a reraised pot. Find the "Middle" section in column one. The "reraised" section of pairs indicates you need queens to call a reraised pot in middle position, but you should also raise. If you do not have the minimum hand, then fold. Say you want to know the minimum unsuited connectors to raise an unraised pot with from late position. The answer is "KQ," located in the "called" line, which is seven lines down in the "Unsuited connectors" column.
The chart will be awkward to read at first, but it will feel convenient after just a little practice.
*It would obviously be permissable to call with stronger suited connectors, such as QT, AT, etc.
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Hint: more possible straights do not usually make lower hands more valuable than bigger hands. So QT is a stronger hand than JT, despite JT making more straights. Similarly, A9 is stronger than A5. Knowing this simplifies memorization. If JT is playable, so is KT. The exception is A5, which is better than A6, but not A7. |
