Mathematically, 72o is the worst starting hand because it has the lowest equity and cannot make a straight without using both cards. However, in my view, hands like A2o or K5o can often be much worse trap hands for beginners. With 72o, it’s an easy and instant fold, so you don't lose any chips. But when you hit a weak Ace on the flop with a bad kicker, it's very easy to get into trouble and lose a massive pot to a dominant kicker. So for me, weak unsuited Aces are the real nightmare!
Try learning ranges, with your strategy the most profitable play will be late reg. And only profit of your very small play range and hope for good variance.Mag_P1e said:
If you play deep stacks, try to play small pairs with minbet opens 2-2.2BB, just fold on too big action back .. or limp for set mine. And open more often with Ax and K8+ when at MP or CO.
Also, try suited connectors, 78s, 910s, Q9s for example, but only when playing deep and if you can navigate postflop.
Limiting your range is losing spots where you should play chip EV, if not taking into account Risk Premium, ICM.
Simple answer 2-7 off, more complicated, when in deep runs and you know you have to open awkward A7o spots or stack with 20BB and play low pockets like 22, 33,44 and 55. You can ofc. Open and try to small range bet 25-30% on wide variation of boards, but when playing OOP or vs SB and BB you fall behind quickly, or give up after Cbet is called and you dont want to give a weak table image.
I agree that T5 offsuit can be a pretty awkward hand. For me, hands like 72o are probably among the worst starting hands because they have very little potential to improve. T5o at least has some straight possibilities, but I’d still be folding it most of the time unless I’m in a good position or getting a very cheap call.
Thank you for such a comprehensive comment. My apologies for my vague description of ranges in my first comment – of course, I open pockets, suit connectors, and Aх from late positions. I completely ignore all the T9o, 98o, 87o, and worse, even though I understand that this is a negative move at a distance.GTOSunRun said:
Hi! No problem.Mag_P1e said:
For me as a decent player with a ton of study and experience in MTT, I actually don't try to overplay as well. As having lower VPIP increases your credibility on opening stronger hands. No need to open wider range with a lot of non suit junk.
But I do play a lot of exploit poker, this means if I have low VPIP and I see someone opening very wide, ocassionally I will 3-bet target these players and then I dont look at my bad cards. I play the player, but it will help to hild Kx and Ax as they play in as blocker cards to make their range more capped.
Also deep stages are fun, where you can exploit ICM and Risk premium. Target medium stacks as the big stacker and leave 15-20bb players alone. Or over aggro vs <15bb when you have ITM bubble or near FT bubble. But not when there is big stacks behind. I tend to aggro shove a lot in these spots when their ICM is big and mine low.
I dont care about running ITM sometimes I bust to create the best future game possibilities to finish top 3. As in much MTT almost half of the price pool is there. So, you cash less ITM % but when you cash it will cover for long term.