SSNL Starting Hands for 10-max Cash Game

[sourbeaver]

[ QUOTE ]

Of course, this is true. But one must stop the major bleeding before one considers plastic surgery.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely. Which is why you should not fear applying somewhat of a preflop-system like you're doing to get your game down and ready. The adjusments needed can be gradually incorporated into your strategy so that you become more and more flexible, all the while being comfortable with your game.

These adjustments will come right in time with your progression. What I mean is, you don't need a whole lot of adjustments and variations when you play NL25, but as you move up in limits, the gradual adjustments you input will serve you better.

[gulebjorn]

Good thread. I think while this stuff seems pretty obvious to the more experienced, it certainly is not for newbies like me. And i think they may have forgotten how long it takes before all this stuff becomes so clear that you no longer have to think about it before you act, or before you can start making variations on this play. If you can keep your preflop play within these rules 90% of the time, i think you've already stopped being a losing player.
Teach us more! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[PinkSteel]

I don't see any mention of Axs. I'm sure this is a leak for me. How do you play them? Never EP, limp MP/LP?

[edge]

I only play Axs on the CO or Button. I'll raise with a decent kicker first in, or limp behind.

[MikeL]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't see any mention of Axs. I'm sure this is a leak for me. How do you play them? Never EP, limp MP/LP?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I didn't want to get into the "marginal" hands discussion, yet. But, I play Axs CO/Button and BB if limped only. And I only play them in CO/Button if there are already 3 or more limpers ahead of me.

MikeL.

[MikeL]

Let's give this another try!

<ul type="square"> AA/KK
[*]All positions
First in: Bet to limit field (4xBB)
All-in to any Re-raise where my re-raise is 50% or more of my stack, else 2x previous raise.
Call any all-in
Raised pot: Re-raise All-in where my re-raise is 50% or more of my stack, else 2x previous raise.
Call any all-in
[/list]
<ul type="square"> QQ
[*]All Positions
First in/limpers: Bet to limit field (4xBB)
Call any raise &lt; 50% stack EXCEPT from an early position limper, in this case think about folding.
Call all-in only from maniacs/fish
Raised pot: Re-raise any small raise
Call any Raise &lt;50% stack
Call all-in only from maniacs/fish
[/list]<ul type="square"> JJ / TT / AKs / AQs / AKo / AQo
[*]Early
First in/limpers: Limp
Raised pot: Call any small raise
Fold to any all-in
[*]Middle
First in/limpers: Bet to limit field (4xBB)
Call only small re-raises.
Raised pot: Call small raise (loose)
Reraise 2xraise (tight)
Fold to any all-in
(Except to a maniacs, then consider the pairs)
[*]Late
First in/limpers: Bet to limit field (4xBB)
Call only small re-raises.
On occasion (10% of time), re-raise a mid to late raise to throw off reads.
Raised pot: Call small raise (loose)
Reraise 2xraise (tight)
Fold to any all-in
(Except to a maniacs, then consider the pairs)
[*]SB/BB
First in/limpers: Limp; out of position all following rounds.
Raised pot: Call any small raise
Fold to any all-in (Except to a maniac, then consider pairs)
[/list]<ul type="square"> KQs / KJs
[*]Early
First in/limpers: Limp
Raised pot: Fold
[*]Middle
First in/Limpers before: Also limp.
Raised pot: Fold
[*]Late
First in: Bet 4xBB
Limpers before: Also limp.
Raised pot: Call any small raise.
[*]SB/BB
First in/limpers: Limp; out of position all following rounds.
Raised pot: Call any small raise
Fold to any all-in [/list]
<ul type="square"> 99-22
[*]All positions
First in/limpers: Limp

Raised pot: Call any small raises.
[/list]
<ul type="square"> Suited Connectors QJs to 65s
[*]Early/Middle
First in/limpers: Limp if very passive table, else fold.
[*]Late
First in: Limp
Call only small raises behind if 4 or more in pot.
Limpers before: Also limp.
Raised pot: Call any small raise if 4 or more in pot. Fold to any all-in
[*]SB/BB
First in/limpers: Limp in BB, fold in SB.
Raised pot: Fold.[/list]
<ul type="square"> Axs / Suited 1 and 2 gappers down to J8s / AJo / ATo / KQo / KJo / QJo / JTo[*]Late Only
First in: Limp only.
Limpers before: Also limp.[*]SB/BB
First in/limpers: Limp in BB, fold in SB.
Raised pot: Fold.[/list]
Thanks for the help with this first revision!
Mike L.

[jinxy]

Wow, this is a great post guy

[xorbie]

A couple things. First of all, I will never fold any of those last hands in the SB in a limped pot, unless it's 10Jo or QJo and there's at least 2 or 3 limpers. Never if I'm first in. What are the odds you are dominated by a BB here with a hand like KQo?

Also, you can mix up your play by raising hands like SC 89s and up or Axs where x is 8 or up in MP after a couple limpers. This is great because it can get you the button (when everyone behind you folds) and often allows you to take an extra card on a nice drawing flop (OESD, NTD) when everyone checks to the PF raiser. It's also nice to juice up the pot a lot on hands that can make very strong hands on boards that allow other strong hands (i.e. nut flush, nut straight such as 9T on a 8JQ board), and ESPECIALLY with suited connectors, nobody will put you on them if you flop a straight.

[MikeL]

This is my first "bump," so have patience if it is out of place.

I have made some major changes to the initial post, incorporating many of your suggestions and I am looking for further critique.

I am learning NL at the micro tables, so I am playing mostly Tight/Passive (Weak), but I am transitioning into Tight/Aggressive as I learn the game. I don't think I will soon (or ever) play Loose/Aggressive, as it is not comfortable for me.

Thanks for looking!
Mike L.

[jstirrell]

I am also interested in this. I have just switched from limit to NL and am a bit confused with preflop play.

On a related note, what is a good VPIP and PFR in NL?