NL Beginner

[mojobluesman]

I spent a lot of time looking in the FAQ sections etc.. for some basic pre-flop guidelines, but really can't find the answers to the questions I have. I think I have a pretty good grasp of pre-flop play conceptually, but there are bet size and other issues that come up all the time and I feel pretty clueless.

I have a good idea of what kinds of hands I might limp in with and when, what hands I might open raise with and when, what hands I should raise limpers with or re-raise open raisers with, but I don't have any idea of what hands I should call a raise or re-raise with if I either open raised or limped. I also don't know how to size my re-raises.

Any guideline help possible even though I am asking general questions?

[CaptDrew]

I would highly recommend No-Limit Holdem Theory and Practice. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding it on this site. Many of the concepts directly relate to the current environment and can successfully be adapted to both full ring and 6-max play. Just don't use it as a recipe book. Remember the keys words: Theory and Practice.

Good luck to you.

[Khaos4k]

Unfortunately the answer is "it depends". Depends on opponents, depends on image, depends on your postflop skill, depends on position. I'm probably still missing a bunch of stuff.

By far, position is the most important when facing a raise or re-raise preflop.

Generally, you're call/raise line is very tight. Personally against an unknown, I don't call a re-raise unless I have

22-TT(with proper odds using 5/10 rule)
JJ+
AKs/AKo

This may be a little bit too nitty, but it definetely loosens up once I get reads on players. I don't like getting into big pots with marginal hands agaisnt an unknown. In position I might add TT and AQs/AQo to the mix.

Also, one part of your post worries me,

[ QUOTE ]
I have a good idea of what kinds of hands I might limp in with and when

[/ QUOTE ]

Your range of hands to open limp and limp after people should be very very small, mine is nonexistent against unknowns. I only limp when the situation warrants it, eg against calling stations with my drawing hands.

It depends on table conditions. I deviate from this, but my basic 6-max strategy is:

UTG/MP raise 22-AA, ATs+, KQs, AJ+
depending on table conditions I sometimes loosen up and mix in some QJs, JTs, sometimes smaller SCs.

CO/Button additionaly to UTG/MP I raise suited aces/connectors/one gappers and broadways. A9+

good standart preflop raise is 4 x BB + 1BB for each additional limper.

[jmgambler]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a good idea of what kinds of hands I might limp in

[/ QUOTE ]

In 6 max, open limping is a cardinal sin

[Quester]

[ QUOTE ]
22-TT(with proper odds using 5/10 rule)
JJ+
AKs/AKo

This may be a little bit too nitty

[/ QUOTE ]

It is definitely too nitty, but for a beginner it'll keep him out of trouble.

There are very few guides for preflop play because preflop is such a small part of NL hold 'em. Postflop play is where money is made. Don't get into tricky spots against tight players with dominated hands preflop and the rest should come with time/experience.

[shyturtle27]

Tien's 6max beginners article will get you where you need to be as far as general preflop TAG strategy. I'm way too lazy to find it though [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] . As far as calling reraises, I'll call a minraise with any pair if villian has 75BB or more. Call any resonable reraise with QQ-JJ, AK, AQ, AJs. 4-bet AA-KK of course. Just make sure you open a lot in LP. I like my CO VPIP to be twice that of UTG+1. Hope this helps.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
22-TT(with proper odds using 5/10 rule)

It is definitely too nitty, but for a beginner it'll keep him out of trouble.

There are very few guides for preflop play because preflop is such a small part of NL hold 'em. Postflop play is where money is made. Don't get into tricky spots against tight players with dominated hands preflop and the rest should come with time/experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

JJ+
AKs/AKo

This may be a little bit too nitty

[/ QUOTE ]


OP is asking for some basic guidelines. It`s better if he starts out nitty.

[mojobluesman]

What is the 5/10 rule?