Counting Cards to Win at Holdem
April 09, 2007 - Deanna Goodson
Figuring out what hands to play in No-Limit Texas Hold'em can often be difficult. The truth of the matter is that the majority of players play far too many hands. The so-called experts will tell you which hands you should play and from what position.
However, they don't agree on what you should do - and that can get confusing.
If you're new to the game, it's always wise to err on the side of caution and throw a hand you're not sure about into the muck as soon as possible. Better to live to play another day than to exhaust your bankroll too quickly is a good motto to follow.
A decent strategy to start off with is to count your cards. Card counting in No-Limit Texas Hold'em is only a way to help you decipher the value of your pocket cards i.e., the cards you've been dealt.
After the dealer gives you your cards, look at them. Assign each card a numerical value in your head. 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and 9 will be the number that's on the card itself. Tens, jacks, queens and kings will have a value of 10 and the ace will be an eleven. Suits don't add or detract from value.
The trick is to not play anything under 18 no matter what.
For example, you've been dealt an A,10 in the pocket. The ace has a value of 11 and the ten is a ten. That's a 21 in the hole. You might as well see the flop. On the other hand, if you've been given a 4 and a jack, you're looking a a 14 in the hole and you need to fold that as soon as you can.
Sure, there are other factors that come into play such as position, the players at your table, the amount of money in the pot, but if you learn to value your hole cards properly, you've made a great first step towards becoming a great poker player.
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