Hand Selection Tips: Ace-Rag

online poker, Multi Table Tournaments, Tournaments, Hand Selection
April 26 2009

Many novice and intermediate players have a big leak in their game which consistently depletes their bankroll. Playing weak aces is a poor play because every player will play an ace with a big kicker. Playing an ace with a weak kicker will often put you in a dominated position, and if an ace comes on the board you're likely to dump a pile of chips to another player. You end up in a situation where you're chasing three outs to hit two pair, or hoping the board pairs so you have a chance to chop the pot with the player with the bigger ace.

The few times that you might hit a small straight or two pair with this type of hand will not be often enough to be a profitable move. There is some added value when your ace-rag hand is suited, but even that hand is no monster to be played after a raise.

Save playing these types of hands for short table situations or when you're on the button and everyone else has folded out of the hand. It's better to raise with this hand in those situations, so you can either pick up the pot right there or find out that an opponent is holding something to call your raise with.

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Learn more about Hand Selection in the Bodog Poker Guide.