Lesson 5: Pre-Flop Play (2)


The Winning Pre-Flop Strategy!

As we discussed previously, losing players play too many hands. And when they get low on chips, they tighten up and don't play enough hands. Again, single table sit 'n go's are about survival... about staying in the game long enough to make it into the money. In order to do so you must play opposite of the losing players.

So what hands should you play preflop? OK, here it is. Hand selection should be based on the following two measurements:
  1. The EV of the hand.
  2. The M of your stack.
If you haven't read the section on EV and M-Zones, please do so now.

To determine which hands to play preflop, follow this simple guide:

If (EV x 100) > M, raise! Otherwise, fold.

Note: This starting hand guide assumes you are first to enter the pot. However, realize that this guide is just that... a guide. Poker is very situational. There will be times when you can and should deviate from the guide. We will cover those situations in the advanced lessons.

OK, to explain what the formula means, using the KQ example from previous posts, my EV for KQ of clubs is 0.67 and my M is 13.3.

0.67 x 100 = 67
67 (EV x 100) is greater than 13.3 (my M score), therefore raise!
In this example if my M score was over 67, I would fold KQ in this position. Again, my goal is survival. If I do not have to play a hand, I won't. I'd rather sit on a nice chip lead than give up chips when I don't have to. You should follow the starting hand guide until you have reached the money, at which point the strategy changes (we will cover that in a later lesson).

I have provided a link to a Starting Hand Expected Value Chart in the downloadable and printable version of the Basic Strategy for you to reference when you play. The chart represents the average EV for each hand but is not adjusted for position. KQ of clubs has a higher EV in late position than in early position. So sometimes it might be correct to play KQ from the button but not from the blinds or middle position. I use a tool called Tournament Indicator which automatically shows me the EV of each hand, adjusted for position, and my current M score. So I can see at a glance whether or not a starting hand meets the criteria.
Now, we must address one more question. How much do I raise?