Texas Hold'em Poker Strategy

Sklanky`s Groups

Authors of many books on poker, that is- "Hold`em Poker for Advanced Players", David Sklansky and Manson Malmuth, divided two first cards in Hold`em into groups:

1. AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs
2. TT, AQs, AJs, KQs, AK
3. 99, JTs, QJs, KJs, ATs, AQ
4. T9s, KQ, 88, QTs, 98s, J9s, AJ, KTs
5. 77, 87s, Q9s, T8s, KJ, QJ, JT, 76s, 97s, Axs, 65s
6. 66, AT, 55, 86s, KT, QT, 54s, K9s, J8s, 75s
7. 44, J9, 64s, T9, 53s, 33, 98, 43s, 22, Kxs, T7s, Q8s
8. 87, A9, Q9, 76, 42s, 32s, 96s, 85s, J8, J7s, 65, 54, 74s, K9, T8, 43

You will probably want to use only 3,4 or 5 upper groups at the table with 9-10 players. Bottom group (8) is useful only in "heads up" game, that is only against one opponent i.e. at the end of the tournament.

- the first group- raise- re raise/ call raised
- the second group0 raise/ call 1 raise
- the third group- call BB
- the fourth group- call BB in only late position
- the fifth group- call BB only on Button or SB

* This strategy can be changed and adjusted to a given table. For example, it depends whether the players are aggressive or conservative, or on the amount of your bankroll(how much money you have) etc.

Below you can see an example of strategy with two first cards (pocket). Notice that the strategy differs depending on the position at the table and the players` move.

AKs- (Ace-King suited)- Ace and King in one colour, i.e.: diamonds

T -(Ten)

X- any card, i.e. AXs- Ace with any card in the same colour.

Strategy after Flop - SEE MORE