Low Stakes Poker Starting Hand Selection

Hi everyone.

I recently fell into a stump and it was suggested in another post that I take a look at my starting hands. I've been playing mainly 1/2 NL live, but recently started playing online as well.

I found this easy to read chart: http://resources.pokerstrategy.com/Strategy/pdf/ps_nl_bigstackstrategie_en.pdf

I was wondering what everyone thought about it. It doesn't indicate what level this is good for… I am just wondering if this is 1, a good chart, and 2, if there is any variance as far as what the stakes are.

Any input is great! Thanks everyone on this site!

Did it hurt when you fell into that sTump? Lol.

Seriously though, that chart looks like a decent guideline.

It's a bit nitty to just open-fold AQ and KQs from early position. Raising with KQs from UTG+1 at least is pretty standard, at least online. Then KQs and AJs from UTG+2 are opens as well, unless the table is unusual with two or more aggressive 3-bettors who both have position on you.

You probably won't be using the chart for too long. It'll only take you a couple hundred hands until you get enough hand history on a the players who sits at the same table at your stakes, then you tweak it. Like when you know when QQ isn't an automatic reraise against certain opponents etc.

ScooperNova said:

Did it hurt when you fell into that sTump? Lol.

Seriously though, that chart looks like a decent guideline.

Click to expand...

It hurt like hell

Thanks for the input.

CactusCat said:

It's a bit nitty to just open-fold AQ and KQs from early position. Raising with KQs from UTG+1 at least is pretty standard, at least online. Then KQs and AJs from UTG+2 are opens as well, unless the table is unusual with two or more aggressive 3-bettors who both have position on you.

You probably won't be using the chart for too long. It'll only take you a couple hundred hands until you get enough hand history on a the players who sits at the same table at your stakes, then you tweak it. Like when you know when QQ isn't an automatic reraise against certain opponents etc.

Click to expand...

So you think raising with KQs & AJs or higher from the 2 seats after the blind is OK as long as the game is fairly tight?

Does anyone have a chart that they use or used to study that is good? I haven't found too many… Mainly looking at full ring cash games…

CactusCat said:

It's a bit nitty to just open-fold AQ and KQs from early position. Raising with KQs from UTG+1 at least is pretty standard, at least online. Then KQs and AJs from UTG+2 are opens as well, unless the table is unusual with two or more aggressive 3-bettors who both have position on you.

You probably won't be using the chart for too long. It'll only take you a couple hundred hands until you get enough hand history on a the players who sits at the same table at your stakes, then you tweak it. Like when you know when QQ isn't an automatic reraise against certain opponents etc.

Click to expand...

So you think raising with KQs & AJs or higher from the 2 seats after the blind is OK as long as the game is fairly tight?

Does anyone have a chart that they use or used to study that is good? I haven't found too many… Mainly looking at full ring cash games…

It is not a bad chart. In live games you can get away with all kinds of plays that online players scoff at. If the game plays passive pre flop I would consider limping (yep limping), and calling a small raise with small pairs early. Stop doing it if someone starts raising your limps. Then you can limp AA, KK, and maybe AK or QQ with the intention of re-raising. . I would definitely call a smallish raise with suited connectors or suited broadway cards in late position. Maybe avoid the hands like AJo except in late position or vs a steal. If the game gets tight (not likely) you can open raise your small pairs, suited aces and suited broadway cards in any position. Just be prepared to fold to too much action.

What does "Call 20" mean?

This chart is way too tight. People will read you like a book if you play this way.

Here's a chart I just built for you now, it is still tight, but not too tight, open 3x from all positions +1BB for each limper:

First one in>>>
EP: 77+, AJs+, AQo+
MP: 55+, ATs+, AJo+, KJs+, KQo, QJs
CO: 22+, A2s+, A9o+, K8s+, KQo, Q9s+, JTs
BU: 22+, Ax, Broadway, K6s+, Q7s+, J8s+, T9s, 65s
SB: Raise: 88+, AJ+, Call: Everything

Facing a raise:
3-bet: KK+, AK
call: QQ-22 and suited broadway
fold: everything else, including AQo

Facing a 3-bet:
4-bet: KK+
call: QQ-JJ, AK


It isn't the best in the world, but it should work quite well. You may feel like your getting abused by 3-bets, but a lot of people feel committed once they 3-bet and will have a hard time folding to 4-bets. So though it may feel you are bleeding money to 3-bettors by folding so much you will make up for it with your 4-bets.

If there are people in front of you that limped, open for 3x + 1BB for each limper. decide 50% on calling or raising. Often these limps will be weak hands so you can pretty much treat it like a pot sweetener. If you raise every time people will start trapping you so 50% should do. For the SB you should be folding often facing limps. In fact, to be safe, eliminate your calling range for that spot when there is a limper.

You're getting some great advice here. There was nothing wrong with the chart you linked either. Now just watch out for those dang stumps! Good luck at the tables.

Low stakes players tend to be quite aggressive, loose i u may....I say KQ+ is a good start

Looks like a decent chart for me.

Charts are guides but since poker is dynamic, have to deviate sometimes.

That are good stack guidelines. No doubt poker is dynamic, but this chart teaches many things.

So if a spewtard raises before you, and you have AQ in middle position, your supposed to fold?

I think its pretty poor.

Microstakes has such a wide range of players. I can get a hand and be happy to 3 bet it against one player yet fold it vs another.

Understanding which hands to play and fold comes with experience.

Just make sure you are making your decisions with positions and villains in mind.

I think it's a pretty good chart to start with and after some time you'll understand how hard you can change this. You should more consider players you play with, their play style. If you always act exactly as this chart tells you you'll lose your money

Try to choose tables with two passive fishami in a pose. Just when you play with agro oppom at the table, but this is absolutely not the right thing for these limits.

Charts are rough guidelines that will not be perfect of course. What gets you good at pre-flop hand selection is the understanding of why you do X or Y in a given spot. Try the trial of ace poker drills. At least you'll get some explanation of why you should do Y over X. The chart is a good place to start though also. So it just depends how much you want to learn and how much you want to invest in your game.

http://acepokerdrills.com

i don't study this thing , some are good , but if everyone will play like that it wil lbe bOOOOOring and 2 tilt....