|
How To Win With Big Slick In Early Position
By Rory Monahan,
www.Texas-Holdem-Secrets.com
Let's discuss how to win when you're dealt Big Slick (Ace, King) in an
early position.
First, let me clarify what is meant by the term "early position".
If you're in an early position, it usually means you're one of the first
three players to the LEFT of the dealer.
Of course, if you're small blind, that means you're almost last to act
before the flop, but first to act AFTER the flop.
If you're big blind, that means you're last to act pre-flop, but second to
act after the flop.
And last but not least, if you're the THIRD player to the left, that means
you are the FIRST to act before the flop, and third to act after the
flop... This position is also known as "under the gun".
Ok. Enough with the definitions. Re-read those four above paragraphs if
you're confused. Otherwise, let's dive into the strategies...
As we discussed a few days ago, Big Slick is a "monster" hand that most
players pray for... BUT... it can actually be a TERRIBLE hand for you if
you don't know what you're doing.
It can be terrible if...
1. You go "all in" (or bet a substantial pile of chips) before the flop,
but then don't catch anything...
Or...
2. You catch an ace or king on the flop, bet a lot of chips, but then get
run down by another player who gets a better hand.
Since even a pair of DEUCES can beat Big Slick by itself, I recommend that
you don't go all-in with Big Slick before the flop.
It's just too risky. Because there are so many hands that can beat you.
Going all-in with Big Slick pre-flop is the equivalent to saying, "Hey,
I'm not that confident I can win this game, so I'm going to HOPE to get
LUCKY and risk all my chips on the CHANCE that an ace or king hits, or
that my ace high wins."
Obviously that's not ALWAYS the case, but for the most part it's pretty
accurate.
The second scenario- getting run down by another player even though you
hit your ace or king- can be EXTREMELY frustrating.
For example, let's say you're holding Big Slick and the flop comes out
A,K,5. You're obviously excited because you flopped top two pair... but
what if Marty, that new guy who just learned how to play Hold'em a couple
weeks ago, is holding a pair of fives?
Chances are, he's going to clean you out for all your chips.
Your strategy then, should be to DECREASE the chances that someone at the
table (like Marty) is going to get lucky on the flop.
And you do that by making sure they don't even SEE the flop in the first
place, by making a pre-flop raise or strong bet.
The ultimate goal should be to create "heads-up" action before the flop
when you get dealt Big Slick. Force players like Marty to fold before the
flop hits.
That will prevent the "bad beats" and allow you to focus on a single
opponent.
The most difficult way to win with Big Slick is if you're in an early
position AND you don't catch anything good on the flop.
Here's how I play it:
Let's say I'm "under the gun" (first to act before the flop... third
player to the left of the dealer) in a no-limit cash game.
I look down to see AK of diamonds.
Great hand, terrible positioning.
Instead of limping in and letting all the crap hands at the table see the
flop, I make a raise as we discussed.
"$15 to play."
Some players will limp-in with AK when they're first to act, hoping
someone ELSE will make the raise for them (which gives them the chance to
re-raise).
I don't like this strategy. Because if someone else makes the initial
raise, that means they get control over the table and betting.
For example, let's say I limp-in and Josh makes it $25 to play. Everyone
else folds and then I come back over the top of him for $100 more.
Without hesitation, Josh goes all-in and pushes in his stack of $350 in
chips.
See how this could get ugly?
Josh may be holding pocket 9's for all I know... which will BEAT me if I
don't catch the right cards on the flop. Then again, he might be holding a
pair of face cards... or maybe just AJ.
No matter what, I really don't care.
Because I don't want to risk all my chips on AK and leave my night up to
chance.
As much as possible, I want to be in FULL CONTROL of my destiny at the
card table.
There will inevitably be players who are more reckless with their chips-
and these are the players who rely on LUCK more than SKILL...
But not me... I know I can beat the game, which is why I don't limp-in
here when I'm first to act with Big Slick.
OK, back to the hand...
"$15 to play", I repeat.
I'm hoping to get just one caller, or two at the most.
The action goes around the table, and everyone mucks their hands... except
for Drew. He splashes the pot and calls.
So I've created heads-up action and taken control of the betting...
exactly as I wanted to do with my monster hand in this position.
The flop hits: 2h, 9d, 7s.
I'm first to act.
Obviously, this flop is terrible... the best thing I've got going is a
possible runner/runner diamonds draw.
So what do I do now?
Should I check my ace high?
No. This is where you should fire AGAIN, and continue to play
aggressively...
Because the flop probably didn't help Drew either.
If I CHECK, Drew will sense my weakness and might try to steal the pot.
My bet will give him the impression I'm on on over-pair and have the best
hand... so he'll probably muck his cards now.
Even if he calls, I'm still in good shape.
If the turn card doesn't help me, I'll back down and minimize my losses. I
DON'T want to dig myself in a deeper hole and try to bluff it out.
Or I may catch my top pair on the turn or river and be able to win that
way.
So no matter what happens, I'm not risking too many chips and I'm putting
myself in a great position to win the hand.
Now... rewind for just a moment. What if my $15 pre-flop bet had multiple
callers?
Having multiple players in the game would have increased the odds that
someone actually benefited from the 2,9,7 flop.
Which means I would NOT have made a strong bet after the flop. Instead, I
would have backed down and just checked. If someone else bet strong, I
would have mucked my A,K and lived to see another hand.
So THAT is how you play Big Slick under the worst of circumstances... with
scraps on the board and bad positioning... and STILL have a great chance
at winning a nice pot.
Of course... the chances of getting AK are just 1 in 83. And the odds of
getting AK suited are just 1 in 332. And that doesn't even factor in the
odds related to your positioning.
So if you want to get an IN-DEPTH and EXTENSIVE Texas Hold'em education...
with a complete analysis of both the techniques and the CONCEPTS behind
the game... in COUNTLESS different scenarios, then it's time you got my
course, "Texas Hold'em Secrets."
Look, I've been figuring this stuff out for YEARS now, and the popularity
of poker has made it EASIER THAN EVER to win more games and make more
money playing Texas Hold'em.
Plus, my book will show you the secrets to winning Texas Hold'em poker in
plain, easy-to-understand English.
Your small investment will pay for itself many times over... and if it
doesn't, or if you're not THRILLED with the course, then you can have all
your money back IMMEDIATELY. Period.
The reality of the situation is this:
I can show you how to dramatically improve your poker skills... in the
QUICKEST time possible... and start winning more money and having more fun
playing Texas Hold'em.
But YOU have to take the first step.
So click this link now to get started:
www.Texas-Holdem-Secrets.com
I'll talk to you again soon.
Your Friend,
Rory Monahan
P.S. JUST IMAGINE the look on your friends' faces when you start winning
tournaments night after night after night... and start going home with
bundles of cash every time you play poker.
How would that feel?
I can tell you from experience, it feels GREAT. And there's no better time
than NOW to begin...
Go to this webpage:
www.Texas-Holdem-Secrets.com
|
|
