Sunday, February 06, 2005

Lederer's Pre-Flop Strategy

Here's Howard Lederer's pre-flop strategy in no limit Holdem.

First, classify your hole cards as either A, B, C, D, or E.

A: AA, KK, AKs
B: QQ, AK, JJ, TT
C: AQs, 99, AQ, 88, AJ
D: 77, KQs, 66, ATs, 55, AJ
E: KQ, 44, KJs, 33, 22, AT, QJs

If you don't have one of these hands, fold. If you do, then your play depends on your position.

EARLY POSITION:
open: A, B, C
call/re-raise: B
raise a reraise: A

MIDDLE POSITION:
open: A, B, C, D
call/re-raise: B
raise a reraise: A + (QQ,KK)

LATE POSITION:
open: A, B, C, D, E
call/re-raise: (JJ, TT) or C
raise a reraise: A or (QQ, KK)

BLINDS (VS EARLY OPEN)
Raise: A
Call: B or C

BLINDS (VS MIDDLE OPEN)
Raise: A or B
Call: C or D

BLINDS (VS LATE OPEN)
Raise: A, B, or C
Call: D or E

FINAL NOTE:
After a player raises to your right, re-raise with a group A or B hand. After a player has opened, you should fold ALL hands not in group A or B, unless you are in the blinds.