26 Aug 08

Sample Hands of the Week

It's Tuesday, so it's time for the most instructional sample hands of the week. Our hand judges have made their choice. Take a look at these hands and learn from our judges' evaluations.

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. Therefore, you should read the hand posting guide and start taking advantage of this unique offer from PokerStrategy by frequently posting your hands in the forum. 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.

Our professional hand judge for the NL sample hand board, TribunCaesar, gave us his view on posting sample hands: "Posting sample hands is probably what improved my game the most. Reading articles and watching videos are good tools to improve, but posting the hands you have played yourself and discussing them really make you think about lines, ranges and opponents. Without posting hands I wouldn't have had the progress I've had. For me it's the number 1 thing to do on a regular basis to constantly improve my game."

NL $50 J6s by Diedobal

If you play against a maniac and you hit a strong hand, don't slow down the action. A maniac likes to give you a lot action by raising way too much. Try to get the money in as fast as possible. This hand is a good example of how to play against a maniac.


NL $10 KK by gaz639

Never try to make crazy plays with your strong hands, not even if you are playing on a tight table where everybody folded to your strong hands in the previous orbits. Don't start min-raising or even limping. Put the pressure on your opponents, they'll make mistakes and you'll win their money.


NL 200 FR SSS AQs by wettongl

If you climb up the limits playing SSS, you need to start balancing your lines. This is a good example of how to do it in a multi-way pot. Hero generated maximum fold equity by a check-raise with a strong draw.



FL $0.25/$0.5 FR ATs by Backcushion

In this hand, Hero made an interesting flop decision. Often, it doesn't depend on your opponent whether you should play aggressively to maximise your profit and chase draws, or play it way ahead / way behind. Take a look at the evaluations of our hand judges.


FL $1/$2 SH A8o by gergo84

Don't call marginal hands with the need to improve when you are in a sandwich. In this example, Hero is between two players with just one overcard on his hand. Calling here gets you into trouble because you don't know what the opponent behind you will do.

MTT $10 KQo by Tosh5457

If your stack shrinks, you are looking for hands worth pushing to win the blinds or double up. But make sure you don't fall in love with nice looking hands. In this case, Hero pushed from a very early position with a hand that is very often dominated.


MTT $10 Rebuy A3o by Semesa

As the number of players at the final table decreases, the requirements for strong made hands decrease as well. Top pair is a monster in a heads-up situation with high blinds. Look at this hand and decide for yourself.