The worst profitable hand?

[Michael Davis]

In a ten handed hold 'em game, what are the worst possible hands that can be played for profit UTG by the best player in the world if the game is a)loose-aggressive, b) loose-passive, c) tight-aggressive, d) tight-passive?

-Mike

[Mike]

I kind of understand what you are asking, but opponents matter more than the player and the hand in this case. 72o is the worst possible hand, but even the best player in the world can not always win even with AA if you have nine calling stations playing. Perhaps a question rephrase is in order?

[Dynasty]

Pure speculation.

a) 22: the worst pocket pair
b) 54s: the worst max-stretch suited connector
c) Almost anything could be profitable since a raise will often win the blinds.
d) Again, if a raise has a good chance of winning the blinds, even 32o could be good.

I didn't give this much thought.

[Michael Davis]

Dynasty,

Wouldn't the chances of winning the blinds have to be extremely high for the best player to raise with 32o? Or are you counting on him taking down a lot of pots that aren't his while getting maximum value when he (rarely) connects solidly on a hand that nobody in their right mind could put him on?

-Mike

[Nottom]

In a tight enough game an UTG raise will often take the blinds. If you play tight and just happen to also raise with 32o from UTG, I'm sure you would win enough to make the hand profitable in the right game.

[SirFoldsAlot]

isn't this an oxymoron...

In a 10 seated low limit online ring game playing any non premium hand UTG is going to cost you money regardless of who you are.

[Michael Davis]

Okay, than your answer would be the worst premium hand, whatever you think that is.

In loose low limit online games, I turn a profit playing A2s UTG. Is this a premium hand?

I suspect the best player in the world could play hands worse than that, but I admit to possibly being wrong.

-Mike

[Michael Davis]

If this is true, should players in some games often be raising UTG with something like T9s, at least until it makes it to a showdown at that table?

-Mike

[pudley4]

This is one reason for making this play. However, "often" is probably too frequent to be making this play.

[Nottom]

I believe HEFAP recomends raising with 78s from UTG on occasion if the your EP raises are getting too much respect. It serves to likely steal the blinds, and if you does go to showdown your opponents know that an UTG raise doesn't make it open season to steal when rags flop.