Calling Too Often To See Flops.

Time and time again, it never fails. Even at higher stakes it happens. What am I referring to??? Making calls or even calling raises just to see a flop. A recent offender had 9-4 0ffsuit and called a raise 3 1/2 times the big blind with 9 people at the table. Unbelievable!

Here is what happened in an online tournament I played yesterday:
1) Under the gun (position 3) raises 3 1/2 times big blind.
2) Positions 4 and 5 fold.
3) Position 6 calls the raise with (9-4 offsuit).
4) Position 7 (me) folds K-9 offsuit.
5) Positions 8, 9, and small blind fold.
6) Big blind (position 2) calls making 3 players in the hand.
7) Flop comes A-4-K.
8) Position 2 makes a small bet.
9) Position 3 raises by betting the pot.
10) Position 6 (9-4 offsuit) calls.
11) Position 2 folds, leaving positions 3 and 6.
12) Turn card is a 9, making the board A-4-K-9
13) Position 3 bets about 33% of the pot.
14) Position 6 goes all-in
15) Position 3 calls.
16) River card is a K, making the board A-4-K-9-K
17) Position 3 wins with AK suited making a full house Kings over Aces.

There are several lessons to be learned from this hand. One, take people seriously when they raise under the gun unless otherwise given a reason. Two, be selective about your starting hands, especially during the first part of the tournament. Recognize, even if I would have called with my K-9 offsuit (some would consider this a decent hand), I would have been dominated (although a bit better off than our friend with the 9-4 offsuit). Recognizing which hands are truly "good" starting hands at what position and what point of the game is essential to being a successful tournament player. For starting hand selection, see Starting Hand Selections.

Remember, tournament play is about being selective. Pick your battles appropriately, be cognizant of starting hand selection, make sound decisions...and you might just make it in the money.

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Starting Hand Selection

Starting hand selection is, in my opinion, the first concept any No Limit Texas Hold'em player should learn. Starting hand selection is something best followed by beginners all of the time, and by all other players most of the time. You will develop your own style of play, but the following will be excellent guidelines (I suggest you study and memorize the entire gold/bold area):

First off, let's define positions-

EARLY POSITION: At a ten person table, this would be small blind, big blind, and the first to act. (1,2,3)

MIDDLE POSITION: At a ten person table, this would be (from the button) 4,5,6, and 7.

LATE POSITION: At a ten person table, this would be seats 8,9, "Button" (last to act).

The following hands can be played in early, middle, or late position:

PAIRS- AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 10 10, 9 9
SUITED- A x (any), KQ , KJ, K10, QJ, J10, 10 9, AK, AQ
UNSUITED- AK, AQ

The following can be added to the aforementioned and are playable in middle or late position:

PAIRS- ANY!
SUITED- K x (any), 9 8, 8 7
UNSUITED- AJ, A10, KQ, KJ, QJ, J10, 10 9

The following can be added to both of the sections above and are playable in late position only:

SUITED- Q x (any), J9, 10 8, 9 7, 8 6, 7 6, 7 5, 6 5, 6 4, 5 4, 5 3, 4 3
UNSUITED- A 9, K 10, Q 10, J 9, 10 8, 9 8, 9 7, 8 7, 8 6, 7 6, 7 5

Why not just play all cards? The reasoning is simple, if you were to play every hand, you would end up losing all of you chips because generally you don't even pair up. Even if you do, unless it is top pair, it is probably no good (even then DO NOT overvalue having top pair). If you played each and every hand, you would essentially lose all your chips by just seeing the flop. Test the theory on a FREE online game. You will see how fast you go broke.

I am sure by now you are asking "Why are certain cards played in certain positions?" The reasoning behind this concept is by picking your battles you limit the amount of blinds committed and won't go broke by being frivolous. It is strategic.

Why relax your starting hand criteria? Relaxing your qualifications for cards played in later position is done because the likelihood of them getting raised is diminished. Conversely, leading off in early position with a strong hand allows you to call the raises that might occur from later positions.

This is a lot of information I realize, but remembering this (and living by it) puts you ahead of most amateur players. Test it out, practice with it, and by all means alter it to work best for your style of play.

Until next time...