Sample Hands of the Week

Published on 12 Aug 08 12:55 by TribunCaesar

Just like the last few weeks, we're presenting the sample hands of the week. This time, there are a bunch of really interesting hands. Our professional hand judge, chenny8888, was kind enough to give me a short statement.

Posting sample hands and trying to evaluate others' sample hands is one of the best ways to improve your own game and become a better poker player. Take a look at the sample hands of the week, try to evaluate these hands yourself and compare your analysis with those of the hand judges.

Today I asked our professional hand judge for the SNG forum, chenny8888, for a short statement. This is what he said to me: "I see a lot of players posting in the forums for the first time now, which is very good, because posting in the forums will help improve your game dramatically. However, you have to remember to post the hands that could've been played wrong, not just the "bad beats" and "coolers", because generally leaks in your game aren't found here. You have a hand where you check/raise the turn after raising preflop and betting the turn? We want to see it. You have a hand where SNG wizard says you should've pushed but you folded? We want to see it. You lost AA to 78s all in preflop? This is not the hand you should look for when searching sample hands to post. You won't find a leak in this hand."

NL $10 FR JTs by brundoo

There are different draws you come across while playing poker; weak draws, good draws, strong draws and monster draws. The last category, the moster draw, should be played like a made hand. You have good equity against nearly all possible made hands or draws, so raise and re-raise on the flop as often as possible.


NL $25 KK by Nitrub

Overpairs are not always easy to play. Sometimes you have to make a tough fold and sometimes you go broke with it. Your decision should be based on the opponent, the board structure and the action in the hand. Take a look at this hand and think about what you would have done with KK here.


NL $50 SSS AA by JonatanW

When you play SSS you usually play straight forward. But sometimes it's worth to take a deviation from standard play in to consideration. In this hand, hero has the stone-cold nuts and could therefore vary from the standard line.


FL $1/$2 SH 88 by Foxxxen

In FL, you go to the showdown with many marginal hands, but even in FL you can find a fold on the flop against a preflop cap by a TAG. Through a very detailed equity analyses Cirith explains why.

FL $0.1/$2 SH KJ by Foxxxen

Knowing your equity on the different streets is crucial in FL. You need to know when you can call because of the odds and outs and when you can't. Take a look at this hand and learn more about the equity of your hands.


SnG $16 ATs by ManniXXX

In a SNG, the bubble is the most important stage. Getting in the money and not busting too often as the bubble boy is crucial to your success as a SNG player. In this hand, we have a good hand which is ahead against the range of SB range, but still a fold is best here. Take a look at the hand and find out why.


SnG $22 by A9o Vargan

This is a very interesting post bubble hand. Our hand judges and members are heatedly discussing this hand. That makes it clear that in poker there is not just one right way to play a hand. However, you shouldn't however miss this opportunity to take a look at this hand. We can't say often enough how important it is to discuss strategies and sample hands in the forum in order to improve you poker skills.