Starting Hand Requirements (Limit HE)

[VARoadstter]

I noticed we finally have a strategy forum. I love strategy topics that focus on the basics rather than endlessly beating to death someone's hand history. As such, I think a great place to start (for limit HE) would be to get a feel for starting hand requirements.

Please provide your answer to the poll below and reply if you like.

[SpaceMonkey]

You're missing the "This poll is too vague and too broad for me to answer" option.

[Clonexx]

Any pair, Any suited connector above 56, any suited ace...from there it all depends on position and table feel.

[VARoadstter]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

You're missing the "This poll is too vague and too broad for me to answer" option.

Yeah, that's the problem with polls. It would be too complicated to include important considerations like position and table makeup. It's just a general rule of thumb deal. I also could have said, "My cards don't matter. I will win anyway."

[Bhudio]

Personally I like to play with 30 point hands only. It's a little tough to explain but I'll try to find the link that explains it in detail.

[jojobinks]

it depends.

hands i play under nearly any circumstances: AA, KK, QQ, AKs. any others, depends on stuff.

i'm tight, though.

[yeltzen]

I play to be the best, so there's no sense in playing a hand if it's not AA.
Possibly KK if there's no raise.

[chipper57AA]

I started out learning the basic starting requirements from Miller, Sklansky and Malmuth (2+2) and then I mix it up a bit based on who's at the table. Trick is to not be predictable so I get caught playing yard trash hands every once in a while.

I typically am semi-loose and play about 20-25% of my starting hands.

[Bhudio]

I couldn't find the sit where I got this but here's the jist of the 30 point hands I was referring to.

Ace=16pts King=14pts

Queen=13pts Jack=12pts

Ten=11pts and all other cards are worth there face value ( three=3pts, or a five =5pts)

If your pocket is paired add 10 pts

If your pocket is suited add 4pts

If your pocket is connected( 7,8 or Jack,Queen) add 3pts

If there is a "one card gap( 7,9 or 10,Queen) add two pts

if ther is a "two card gap( Ace,3 or 9,Queen) add one point

Any hand the equals or passes 30 points it's more than likely a premium hand. Now, you can be a bit mor liberal with this if it helps your game. You could go as low as 25 if you've got the position. Again it's just a suggestion, but I've found if you go in with the best of it you usually have nothing to worry about.

This method works particularly well in a full, Limit table.

[hayaku]

That 30pt system is pretty nice, im going to try it next weekend but will probably use a 25pt system since i like to play more hands.