Every poker hands chart is self-explanatory on what the strongest hands are. But in practice, the winning hand is not set in stone. Sometimes, the hand that takes down the pot is lower than you might think. That means you’ll have to be more creative if you have something less powerful than a straight. Here are ways you can do that:
1. Play them cautiously
When you have a lower hand than a straight, you need to be careful about how you play it. You don’t want to get too aggressive and go all in because then you could lose everything. Instead, play it safe and try to see as many cards as possible before deciding on an action.
You can do this by checking out the board. The board is vital in poker. On top of the fact that it’s where you get your community cards, it can give you a lot of information about what’s happening. So, you must always pay attention to it and use it as a poker chart. When you have something lower than a straight, carefully observe the board. See what cards are out there and figure out what the other players might have.
Likewise, it also helps to observe what the other players are doing at all times. See if they’re being aggressive or if they’re being more cautious. Doing so can give you a good idea of what they might have and how to play your hand.
2. Play according to position
Your position is also essential when you have a lower hand. In poker, position is everything. It can dictate how you play your hand and whether or not you win the pot. So, it would help if you were more cautious in early positions, such as the small blind.
There are more players left to act after you, and they can easily outplay you. Thus, be more careful and observant in early positions. On the other hand, when you’re in late position, such as the button or the cut-off, you can be a bit more aggressive. It is because fewer players are left to act, and you have a better idea of what they might have. So, you can be more aggressive in late position and try to take down the pot.
3. Bluff if necessary
You can try bluffing when you’re sure you don’t have the best hand and have no choice but to play it. That means betting big or raising the stakes to make the other players think you have a stronger hand than in actuality.
However, it would help if you were careful with this. If you’re not convincing enough, then the other players will see right through you and know that you’re bluffing. So, only use this tactic if you’re confident.
4. Be patient
Patience is key in poker. Sometimes, the best thing to do is wait and see what happens. If you’re in a hand with a lower hand than a straight, then you might want to wait until the later rounds to make your move. This way, you can see what the other players are doing and make a more informed decision.
Being patient also means waiting for the next betting rounds. You don’t want to move too soon if you’re in the early betting rounds. You might want to wait until the later rounds when the stakes are higher and people are more likely to make mistakes.
5. Compute for hand odds
It’s a crucial tip, especially if you’re playing online poker. It would help if you computed your hand odds when you’re in a hand with a lower hand than a straight one. Doing so will tell you how likely you are to win the hand based on the cards out there. Plus, computing is a better alternative than trying to memorize a poker odds chart.
Many factors go into hand odds, so it’s not easy to compute them on the fly. However, there are a lot of online poker tools that can do it for you. So, use one of those if you’re playing online poker. As you gain more experience, you’ll get better at computing hand odds, so much so that you’ll no longer need an app.
6. Look for outs
Check for outs, cards that will improve your hand and turn them into a more formidable hand combination. Do this anytime your hand is lower than a straight, and youโll feel like you have a poker cheat sheet.
For example, if you have a flush draw, you need to find one of nine remaining cards of the same suit to improve your hand. This concept can be applied to something as strong as a full house, or you can find the last card of the same rank to get yourself a four-of-a-kind.
You can also use outs to bluff. You can bet or raise using an out as if you already have the better hand. It might make the other players fold and give you the pot.
7. Know when to fold
Unfortunately, there will be many times when you’ll have to fold if your hand is lower than a straight. It’s usually when the other players are betting big or raising the stakes. You’ll also have to do this if what you’ve observed from the board is telling you that your chances aren’t too good. The bottom line is that if you’re not confident in your hand, fold and save yourself some money.
No Straights? No Problem!
Anything lower than a straight will not guarantee a win. But, if you follow these tips like a poker strategy chart, you should be able to make the best out of any situation. Just remember to be patient and cautious and to look for outs. If you do all these things, you’ll be able to make the most out of any hand, no matter how low it is.
