8 Texas Hold’em Poker Hands Analysis (P2): Underrated Hand

Do you still remember the 4 types of Texas Hold’em poker hands that were over-estimated most of the time? I believe that if you have read through my last article carefully, you should be able to update your hand selections in the game. Since no hand is an absolute advantage over the other hands, then we should always consider the potential of each hand connecting with the board. Today we will be talking about the hands that are often under-estimated.

After reading through today’s article, you may use the content to review the hands you played in the past and see if there are any actions we mention today you could’ve used to alter the result and make it in your favor in the end. Let’s get down to it.

Read More: 8 Texas Hold’em Poker Hands Analysis (P1): Overrated Hands

Poker Hand Analysis 5: 8/8, 9/9, 10/10

The first type of hands that are often under-estimated are pairs of 8,9 and 10. Do you normally call the bet while holding these hands or fold them? To tell the truth, these three hands might be the hands that have got the highest winning potential among all the other hands. You might be wondering if they are better than pairs between J to Aces, and the answer is yes, let me tell you why.
Let’s think of a scenario of holding hands that contain a J, Q, K, or Ace. We won’t be folding with Pairs like that, but a lot of us would call the bet even while holding one of them. So if the board didn’t deal any high cards out, then there’s a high possibility that we are up ahead. That’s where the advantage of these pairs is shown.

Since fewer players would wanna play combinations of 8, 9, and 10 compared to J, Q, K, and Ace. Therefore there’s a higher chance the board comes with these median numbers. In WSOP, the hands that finally settle the game normally wouldn’t be the top 4 hands we mentioned before, though there’s a decent percentage of the match that was won by holding median pairs like these. So don’t underestimate them, they might be stronger than you think. 

Poker Hand Analysis 6: 8/9, 9/10

Next, we got the connectors of 8/9 and 9/10. They are in a similar category since there are more players who favor high card pairs, then the possibility that the board comes with these cards has risen. Some may argue that even with one 8 or 9 on the board, our hands are still weaker compared to the top pairs. Indeed it’s correct, though we are connecters which means we could’ve also gotten a straight draw, not to mention if those were suited then we might have a flush draw as well.

According to the experiences of the pros, they normally wouldn’t back down holding these types of hands pre-flop. Not only will they not back down, but they will try to make the pot go bigger. The ideal scenario is that one of the callers has big pairs cause they tend to hold on to it on the flop. Once they hit their cards, they will make the players who play only big pairs pay. That’s why they don’t normally give up on hands as such.

Poker Hand Analysis 7: J/9(suited)

The next is the combination of J/9. I know a lot of you may think I’m crazy since neither these cards are big nor do they connect. So where’s the advantage of it? 9 out of 10 would fold it right away.
However, that’s where the pros are different from the amateurs. Think about it, when most of the players are playing with A, K, and Q, holding J/9 avoids getting the same card with others. Yet combined with the flop, this hand may form a possible straight draw or flush draw. The potential is the reason why the pros choose to play it. It’s a good hand to manipulate with the board, either to value bet it or make a bluff with it. Include it in your hand selection pre-flop may confuse your opponents whether you are bluffing or betting for value. So try it out, you may find it interesting.

Poker Hand Analysis 8: 5/7

Here we are, the end of the underestimated hands combinations. I know all your jaws are already on the floor since we’ve even brought out hands as 5/7 to be playable. Though it is indeed a hand that has been underestimated a lot during games. 99% of the players would fold it due to the obvious weakness this hand showed, not connected, and small points.

Nevertheless, is it the truth? When others are all holding big pairs, is it the truth that 5/7 has no potential of winning at all? The answer is no, this is a hand with incredible potential.

In short, applying the concepts we have mentioned earlier, picking a less strong hand is to avoid clashing with the strong hands. So that it increases our chance to hit the board. Hold’em is a game in which we compare the combinations between our hand and the board, so hitting the board gives us an edge over our opponents who are holding big pairs only. So don’t give up so easily while holding 5/7, you might end up with the nuts after the board were dealt.

Conclusion

That’s all for today. Compare to the last episode of overestimated hands, today’s content is even more shocking, with 4 highly underestimated hands that can be played in the game. Actually, as long as we uphold the right concept while playing Hold’em, we can see things from different perspectives and so we will be able to consider things that normally wouldn’t bother the normal players. The sharks were never affected by the luck with their hands, they can improvise and make the correct moves. These two episodes aim for this kind of class and hope to show you a way to it. Hope you all enjoy it. Thanks.