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Anything is possible is a popular saying nowadays, and it holds true in Texas Hold'em poker as well. In practical play, scenarios like AA battling against a straight, a straight against a flush, a flush against a full house, and four of a kind against a straight flush are commonly encountered. The reasons for such situations are twofold. Firstly, players with lower-ranked hands often find it hard to believe that their opponents could hold even stronger cards. Secondly, players might lack a clear understanding of the possible strong hands in the game. Therefore, reading the cards correctly is crucial for both beginners and experienced players alike. In fact, even long-time players may not always have a very clear understanding of reading the cards.
Rule 1: If there are three cards within a range of 5, there is a possibility of a straight.
Example 1: Flop cards QsTh8d7
With no possibility of a flush, and QT8 within a range of 5 (Q, J, T, 9, 8), the most likely hand is a straight. A player could hold J9.
Example 2: Turn cards AhQsTd6c
Three big cards AQT are within a range of five, indicating a possibility of a straight. Three small cards QT6 are also within a range of five, eliminating the possibility of a straight. Hence, the most likely hand is held by a player with JK, forming the largest straight.
Example 3: River cards As2dQdJc5h
AQJ is within a range of 5, and A25 is also within a range of 5, resulting in two possible sequences. Players could hold TK and 34, respectively. Note: T and 5 are the two key cards for a straight. If a straight doesn't include T or 5, it's not a straight. If neither the hand nor the board has T or 5, there is no straight.
Rule 2: If there are three cards of the same suit, and three cards of the same suit are within 5 (including 5), the most likely hand is a straight flush. Beyond 5, the most likely hand is a flush.
Example 1: QsJs8s
The range between Q and 8 spans exactly 5 numbers (Q, J, T, 9, 8), making the most likely hand a straight flush. A player could hold Ts9s, followed by a flush with an Ace.
Example 2: AcQcJc8c5c
With three cards of the same suit, AQJ and QJ8 are within a range of 5, creating the possibility of a straight flush. Other combinations beyond five, such as AJ5 and QJ5, result in two possible straight flushes. Players could hold KT, forming a Royal Flush, or 9T, forming an 89TJQ straight flush.
Rule 3: If there is a pair (including three of a kind) on the board, the most likely hand is four of a kind, followed by a full house.
Example 1: Qs5c8h8d
The largest hand in this scenario is four of a kind with 8s. A player holding 88 has the strongest hand, followed by a full house with Qs. The third possibility is a full house with 8s and Q. A player could hold Q8. With three of a kind on the board and within three numbers, the most likely hand is a flush, followed by four of a kind, a full house, and a flush with an Ace. While it may not always result in the maximum possible hand, understanding these rules is crucial to grasp the possibilities of strong hands, especially for beginners who should keep in mind that anything is possible. |
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Post time 8-2-2024 20:49:03