[hachkc]

Assuming A267.

For a low, A2 is fine and the 67 offers very limited protection if you get counterfeited on the river but probably not earlier.

For a high, this is where you hand hurts. If the A is suited, no problem you can even raise this preflop depending on position and table dynamics. If the A isn't suited, definitely a limping hand because you have a relatively unprotected low and not much else.

The problem with middle cards (6789) is they typically don't help your low hand and they can easilly be beat out by higher cards for the high. Most str8's that need middle cards are either splitting with a low or out kicked by a higher str8. As for middle card flushes, flush your money down a toilet; its less painful. Trying for a middle card boats is also not a winning proposition. Middle cards with A2 unsuited or A3 suited are hands that I'll limp with but be prepared to muck them on a bad flop or a lot of action.

Remember, you want to ideally play hands than can scoop and the hands that do this multiple ways. Take for example this hand which is very strong:

A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

Almost every card here works with every other card for either a high or a low; The only exception here is K4. Notice, there are no middle cards.

For a low: A2, A4, 24
For a high: straights (A2,A4,24,AK), flushes (A4,K2) plus 2 highest cards (AK).