Lesson 1 [Beginner] Starting Hand Selection

The core of preflop hand selection is “fewer, stronger”.

Basic Strategy

Out of 100 hands, play only 20-25 hands. Fold the rest.

For hands you play, entering with a raise is advantageous in the long run. Limping (calling only the big blind) is less profitable.

There are two reasons:

• Taking the initiative with a raise creates opportunities to make opponents fold on the flop.
• Since a limp is a weak hand signal, opponents are likely to attack.

We divide hands into 5 categories:

Premium Hands: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs, AKo
Description: The strongest hands preflop. Can raise from all positions.

Strong Hands: TT, 99, 88, AQs, AQo, AJs, KQs
Description: Good hands in most situations. Raising is recommended from middle position onwards.

Marginal Hands: 77~22 (small pairs), ATs~A5s (suited Ax), AJo, KQo, KJs, KTs, QJs, QTs, JTs (Broadway type), T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s (suited connectors)
Description: Hands whose profitability varies depending on the situation. Play only from late position or in favorable situations.

Weak Hands and Trash Hands: All other hands
Description: Folding is advantageous in the long run.

Beginners should focus on playing premium and strong hands, and play marginal hands only when in good position.

Adjusting to Opponent Styles

1. When Opponents Fold Too Much

From late position, slightly widen your raising hand range (add KTs, QJs, J9s). Since the probability of winning the pot is high, hand strength is less important.

2. When Opponents Call Too Much

Reduce marginal hands and play only premium and strong hands. In multiway pots, hand strength is important, so weak hands become less profitable.

Thought Process

When you receive a hand preflop, try to think in this order:

1. What is my position? UTG or BTN?
2. What category is this hand? Premium? Strong? Marginal?
3. What action was there before me? Did no one raise? Did someone raise?
4. What should I do? Raise or fold.
5. If I raise, how much? Small (2.5-3x big blind).

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: QQ in Cutoff

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: Cutoff
Preflop: Everyone folds, Hero gets QQ
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “How strong is my hand?”
   → QQ is a premium hand.
2. “What is my position and what has happened before me?”
   → Cutoff is a good position, and no one has acted before me.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Raise to take the dead money and seize the initiative.

Conclusion: Raise $6 (3x BB)

Comment: If you limp, the big blind might check, and it could be difficult to play on a flop like J-T-8. Control the pot with a raise.

Example 2: 77 in UTG

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: UTG (Under the Gun, acts first)
Preflop: Hero gets 77
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “How strong is my hand?”
   → 77 is a marginal hand.
2. “What is my position and what has happened before me?”
   → UTG is a bad position, and 8 players are left to act behind me.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Stronger hands are likely to come from behind.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: 77 is a good hand, but it might be less profitable from UTG. It can be played from middle position onwards.

Example 3: 98s in BTN

Game: Cash Game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: Everyone folds, Hero gets 98s (9♥ 8♥)
Pot: $3

Thought Process:

1. “How strong is my hand?”
   → 98s is a marginal hand (suited connector).
2. “What is my position and what has happened before me?”
   → BTN is the best position, acting last after the flop.
3. “Do opponents have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Only the blinds are left, and they often fold to a raise.

Conclusion: Raise $6 (3x BB)

Comment: From BTN, even marginal hands can be profitable. Utilize your position advantage.

Key Patterns Summary

Pattern 1: Premium Hands (AA~JJ, AK) → Raise from all positions

Pattern 2: Strong Hands (TT~88, AQ, AJs, KQs) → Raise from middle position onwards

Pattern 3: Marginal Hands (77~22, suited connectors, suited Ax) → Raise only from Cutoff and BTN

Pattern 4: Early Position = Tight, Late Position = Wide

Pattern 5: Recommend raising instead of limping, Raise or fold

Quiz

Question 1
You received 77 in UTG position. What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Limp (call only the big blind)
C) Raise 2.5~3BB
D) All-in

Question 2
You received AKo in BTN position. Everyone folded before you. What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Limp
C) Raise 2.5~3BB
D) Check

Question 3
Out of 100 hands, how many hands is it good to play?

A) 10~15 hands
B) 20~25 hands
C) 40~50 hands
D) 70~80 hands

Question 4
Why is limping (calling only the big blind) less profitable?

A) You lose the initiative and send a weak signal.
B) You invest too much money.
C) The probability of seeing the flop decreases.
D) The probability of opponents folding increases.

Question 5
You received 98s (suited connector) in Cutoff position. Everyone folded before you. What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Limp
C) Raise 2.5~3BB
D) Check

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: A) Fold

Explanation: 77 is a marginal hand, and it is likely to be less profitable from UTG. It can be played from middle position onwards. Limping is not recommended in any situation.

Question 2
Answer: C) Raise 2.5~3BB

Explanation: AKo is a premium hand. BTN is the best position, so raise to take the initiative and the dead money.

Question 3
Answer: B) 20~25 hands

Explanation: 20-25 hands (20-25%) out of 100 hands is appropriate. If you play too many, you are more likely to lose money with weak hands.

Question 4
Answer: A) You lose the initiative and send a weak signal.

Explanation: Since a limp is a weak hand signal, opponents are likely to attack. Taking the initiative with a raise is advantageous in the long run.

Question 5
Answer: C) Raise 2.5~3BB

Explanation: 98s is a marginal hand, but Cutoff is a good position. Only the blinds are left, and they are likely to fold often to a raise, so raising can be profitable.