Introduction

Theory of Preflop Play

Starting Hand Chart

Interactive Tutorial

Playing in the Blinds

More Thoughts on Pre-Flop Play

More on Pre-Flop Play

Versus a Tighter Table or a Smaller Table

The starting hand recommendations provided at Tilted Donkey are based upon the assumption you are playing at a full table with some loose players.

If you are playing at a short-handed table or an excessively tight table then you need to adjust your preflop play:

Get tighter calling raises. Raised and re-raised pots are not built on a whim. Unless you are sure a player is making a positional raise, then get out of the way.

Get tighter entering small opened pots. If there is a single early-position limper, be very tight in limping in behind them. Hands like King-Jack suited go down in value.

Get more aggressive opening pots. If you are the first to enter the pot you should generally do it for a raise. Raise almost all the "normal limping hands (still taking position into account!)". You can win pots outright with aggressive preflop play. And be prepared to bet again on the flop, even if you miss it.

High cards go way up in value in unopened pots. Any ace, especially becomes valuable. A hand like goes way up in value when you are opening pots versus a small field, or in late position versus only the blinds.

General Concepts of Preflop Play

• Try to see the flop cheaply with anything that can flop a monster or a monster draw. This is especially true if there are a lot of limpers, and thus, a large pot.

• Make others pay dearly to see the flop when you have premium starting cards. You have the advantage, so raise!

• Don't cold-call raises Just don't do it! If you aren't in a position to re-raise, then a fold is likely your best play.

• and play like small pairs versus a lot of opponents: you need to hit your set to win the hand.

Final Thoughts

The Starting Hand Chart is a recommendation based on our experiences. But it is inexact and by no means "the rules". It is a good place to start. Every poker table and every hand is unique, and only through experience can you discover the pre-flop play that suits your game the best.

That said, if you find yourself cold calling a raise with then you should just stick to the chart for a while. :)