Sure, you know that a pair of aces are the best hand in Texas Hold'em, but do
you know the worst starting hands? Knowing that these hands are
almost-always-fold'em hands in hold'em is just as important to improving your
poker game and not playing like a donkey.
Some of these "worst hands" are bad in the same way and will lose at
about the same rate, so I've called them ties, even when one is a slightly
better hand.
| 1. 2-7 |
7-2 off suit is
considered the worst hand in Texas Hold'em. They are the
lowest two cards you can have that cannot make a straight
(there's 4 cards between 2 and 7). Even if they are suited,
they will make you a very low flush, and if either pairs,
it's an awfully low hand.
Because it is the worst, some players will play it for fun
and in online games, it is known as "the hammer." |
|
2. 2-8 |
This is the same
basic problem as above, only you've got an 8 instead of a 7.
Still pretty bad for a high card. Suited or not, this is a
fold'em hold'em hand. |
|
3. Tie: 3-8 & 3-7 |
The 3 makes this
hand able to beat the two above it, but with the 3-8 you
still can't make a straight and the 3-7 still, well, just
sucks. |
|
4. 2-6 |
While if the board gives you a
miracle flop of 3-4-5, you will have a straight, someone with
a 6-7 will have a higher straight. If you get a flush,
someone will probably have a higher flush. Against even 4
players, this hand will lose about 90% of the time. Not good
odds.
|
|
5. Tie: 2-9, 3-9, & 4-9 |
The only thing
these three hands have going for them over the hands above is
the 9. If the 9 pairs, you'll have a middle pair that could
still be beat by anyone holding pocket 10s, jacks, queens,
kings, or aces, yet you might be fooled by a board filled
with low cards into thinking you have the best hand and
losing a lot of money. No straights can fill the gap between
these cards, either. Beware. |
|
6. 2-10 |
This hand has a
legendary quality because Doyle Brunson captured two World
Series of Poker Bracelets with it. But it's not a good hand
-- Doyle Brunson is one of the all-time best in the game and
unless you're a Texas road gambler who's logged thousands of
hours at the table, you shouldn't try and win with the Doyle
Brunson. |
|
7. 5-9 |
Another hand
people play because it's fun is the old 9 to 5, the "Dolly
Parton." If you're playing to win, it's not a good idea to
play hands because they have a funny name. That may be how
you pick the winning horse in a race, but poker's a marathon,
not a sprint, and over the long term there's no doubt this
hand is a statistical loser. |
|
8. Tie: 4-7, 4-8, 5-8, 3-6... |
All these hands
will rarely win, especially unsuited. Toss 'em. Just toss'em.
Yes, even in the little blind. If you see two low cards in
the hole, unless you're in the big blind and you can see the
flop for free, fold. |
|
9. Face card + low card, unsuited |
One of the most
common mistakes I see beginners make is that when they see
any paint in their hand, they play it. J-2, Q-3, K-4 whatever
-- and most of these hands are losers. They're junk that may
win a few pots, but more often will lose you huge cash when
you find the other player has a higher kicker and the winning
hand. |
|
10. Ace + low card, unsuited |
This is another
common beginner mistake, playing any ace. Again, it may win
occasionally, and heads-up it's a fine hand, but at a table
of 4 or more, this hand shouldn't be played if there's a
raise in front of you. You're going to be outkicked a lot
with Ace-little, and it's going to feel like a kick in the
junk when the other player shows their higher ace. |
Captains Dinner
Friday
13th March 2009
Please Support our Incoming Captain,
Anthony Pittman in advance of the Formal Captain's Drive In on Sunday 15th March
Tickets are £25 each and include Dinner, Comedian and surplus Funds Kick Start
the Captains Charity Fund Raising for 2009
Please put your name down on the sheet in the Club Room or speak with Club Chairman, Joe Tiesteel
Mothering Sunday
Sunday 22nd
March 2009
Give Mum a real treat in 2009
Enjoy a fabulous three course Roast Dinner for just £12.95 per head
Download the full Menu
Founders Day Party
Saturday 18th
April 2009
Founders Day (Jim Johnson Memorial) in the Morning and a mega party at night
No Comps on the Sunday Morning!!
So at just £10 a head to cover the entertainment - and a magnificent buffet provided, you just need to be here.
Bogey Barbecue
Saturday 25th
July 2009
Mid Summer Soiree in our new Terrace Garden
A super summer party on Saturday night after
the Wilson Bogey Major - what a mega weekend.
Just £10 a head to cover the
entertainment - and a magnificent barbecue provided, you just need to be here
It will be a night to remember.
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
Add Text
|
 |
