It’s no secret that poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. What may be a secret to some, however, is just how much strategy goes into playing well. To win your first poker tournament, it’s crucial to understand the different hands and their relative strengths and weaknesses.
This guide will take you through the top poker hands ranked and teach you how to use them to your advantage. So read on, learn, and start dominating the table today.
The best starting hands in poker and what to do with them
In any poker hand hierarchy, the strength of your starting hand is one of the most critical factors in determining your chances of success. A strong starting hand gives you the potential to make a big hand and win a large pot, while a weak starting hand increases the likelihood that you will be forced to fold early in the hand. Certain hole cards are generally considered to be strong.
Aces, kings, queens, and jacks are all high-value cards that can give you a significant advantage over your opponents. Ace-King suited and Ace-Queen suited are particularly strong hands, as they have the potential to make a flush or a straight. If you are dealt one of these hands, you should raise preflop and try to build a large pot.
Ace-King
When playing poker, having an Ace-King is considered a strong hand. However, there are a few different ways to play this hand, depending on the situation. If the flop consists of Queen-Jack-10 of the same suit, the Ace-King becomes a Royal Flush, the highest poker hand. When you are dealt an Ace-King and think you might have a chance to make a Royal Flush, this is impossible to beat, and players with this hand will automatically win the pot.
Ace-Queen
An Ace-Queen is a strong hand in poker card rankings, but it can be tough to know how to play it. If you’re dealt an Ace-Queen, your first instinct might be to go all-in, but that’s not always the best move. Instead, you must assess the situation and decide based on the other player’s hands and the board. If you’re in a late position and there are already a few raises, you can probably get away with just calling. But if you’re in an early position and everyone is still limping in, you might want to raise to narrow the field and increase your chances of winning. The key with an Ace-Queen is to be aggressive when necessary and know when to lay low.
King-Queen
King-Queen is another strong poker hand, particularly if it’s the same suit. For example, if you’re dealt a King-Queen of Hearts, you can make a flush with just three more same-suit community cards. Flushes are tough to beat, so if you think you might have one, you should usually go all in. However, if the flop doesn’t give you any additional help, you might want to be more conservative and just check or call.
Queens
Queens can also be played aggressively preflop with a raise or even an all-in if you’re up against weak opposition. If dealt with two Queens, a Full House is possible, which is a strong hand.
Jack-Ten
Jack-Ten is a strong hand that can be played in several different ways. You may have a flush draw if you have a Jack-Ten of the same suit. Flush draws are often worth betting on, as they have a good chance of hitting on the turn or river.
Jack-Ten is still a strong hand, even if you don’t have a flush draw. For example, if the flop comes down J-9-2, you have top pair with a good kicker. You can often bet on this hand and take down the pot. However, be careful if an ace or a king hits the board, as someone could have a higher pair than you.
Nine-Eight
Nine-Eight is a strong hand that is often overlooked. It’s not as flashy as some other hands on this list, but it can be just as effective. For example, if the flop comes down A-9-8, you have two pairs. You can often bet on this hand and take down the pot. However, be careful if someone hits a full house or a higher two-pair, as this means they have a better hand than you.
How to play the middle stages of a tournament
The middle stages of a poker tournament can be tricky to navigate. From one perspective, you want to accumulate chips and move up the leaderboard. On the other hand, you don’t want to get too aggressive and risk busting out. The key is to find a balance between these two approaches.
One way to do this is to pay close attention to your opponents’ chip stacks. If you have a big pile, you can afford to be more aggressive and put pressure on the shorter stacks. If you have a shorter stack, you must be more cautious and carefully pick your moves.
Another critical factor is the blind level. As the blinds increase, you need to be willing to take more risks to stay in the game. If you’re short-stacked and the blinds are high, you might need to go all-in with a marginal hand just to stay alive. Always consider the poker hands in order when deciding how to play each hand.
Advanced tactics for the final table
For any poker player, making it to the final table of a tournament is an accomplishment. But once you’re there, the real challenge begins. The following are advanced tactics to help you defeat the competition and emerge victorious.
The first thing to remember is that the game’s dynamics change drastically when the number of players is reduced. So don’t be afraid to make bold moves and pressure your opponents.
Also, don’t be afraid to bluff. With fewer players, there are fewer chances of someone having a strong hand.
And finally, don’t get overly dependent on your hand. Even if you have a strong hand, you are not necessarily going to win. On some occasions, it’s preferable to give up and wait for a better opportunity.
Tips for handling difficult situations during a game
Everyone has experienced a bad beat or a losing streak during a poker game. It can be tempting to react emotionally in these situations, but doing so will only worsen things. The key is keeping your cool and focusing on making the best possible decisions. Here are some tips for handling difficult situations during a poker game:
Take a break if you feel yourself getting frustrated. This will give you time to calm down and clear your head.
Focus on making logical decisions rather than emotional ones. If you can keep a clear head, you’ll be more likely to make winning decisions.
Remember that poker is a long-term game. Just because you have a few bad sessions doesn’t mean youโre a terrible player. As long as you keep making intelligent decisions, the law of averages will eventually work in your favor.
Poker hands ranked is an essential guide for any beginner poker player. By understanding which hands are the most powerful and testing them out by playing free online poker, you’ll be able to make better decisions at the table and increase your chances of succeeding in your first tournament.
With this information in hand, sign up today with GGPoker, the world’s largest poker room – and put your new skills to the test with their free poker games and tournaments.