How To Play Poker: Poker Rules

InsideEdge: Basic Poker Strategy
Summer Hands

By Professor Leighton Vaughan Williams

October 2005



1. MAY With an Ace and a card of another rank in the hole, a card on the flop giving you top pair with the other card in your hand is a big chance. You may attract a lot of betting from those with lesser hands. Betting and raising is normally the best strategy here, but consider your position if raised. ADVICE It’s usually worth betting and raising.		2. JUNE If you have a high-ranking pair in the hole, beware of a flop which sets up the possibility of a flush or a straight, two pair or trips for one or more opponent. Usually think seriously about betting if there are no overcards to your pair on the flop, but think about retreating if you are raised. ADVICE Consider betting if there are no overcards to your pair


3. JULY It is frequently a good move to bet and raise if you find yourself with a high-ranking overpair after the flop, even if the best of your other cards is relatively weak (in other words, you have a weak ‘kicker’ card). However, you really should consider folding if you are raised. ADVICE Betting is often worthwhile but think again if you’re raised		4. AUGUST If holding medium-ranked overpairs (9-9 to 7-7), beware overcards on the turn or river. The lower your pair, the greater the number of bunched combinations below it, upping the odds of a coordinated draw, two pairs or trips. Play aggressively, especially at the higher end of the ranked pairs and with a good chance of a straight. ADVICE Often worth betting and raising but maybe fold if raised