Position | Pairs | Non-pairs |
---|---|---|
Early | 88 or better | AK, AQ |
Middle | 55 or better | AJs, ATs, A9s and KQs |
Late | 22 or better | Axs, KJs, QJs, KTs, JTs, K9s, QTs, J9s |
As can be seen from the chart above, you should be folding alot in NL Hold'em. Don't be too concerned about losing your blind bets from all the folding. Instead, you should be more concerned with losing your patience. Playing NL Hold'em requires a great deal of discipline. Spend the time studying your opponents and the game as you fold your hands.
Unlike in Limit Hold'em poker, blind bets in NL are not as significant. Chip stacks are frequently won and lost in all-in showdowns. Think about it. A player can play many hands and win all the blind bets but it takes just 1 major showdown to win it all back from him.
Think of your chips as your soldiers and your starting hands as their fitness and weapons. Wouldn't it make sense to send your troops to battle only when they are well-trained and well-equiped?