Mastering Poker Pro Strategy: Preflop Poker Strategy 2

In the previous article, we discussed setting up poker pro strategy, starting with preflop ranges. After all, a good start is half the battle won.

We also saw that the determination of tightness and looseness in preflop ranges lies in the distribution of the range, not the number of times you are aggressive. We also touched on the four factors that determine our range, namely position, position compared to others, VPIP, and hand strength.

Today, we will continue the discussion from the previous article and share with you the continuation of expert-level Texas Hold'em preflop poker strategy, completing the introduction of VPIP and its association with hand strength, and bringing in examples for better understanding. Without further ado, let's get started.

Poker Pro Strategy: Considerations for PreFlop Range VPIP

Before we continue with the preflop poker strategy, let's first understand a term called VPIP.

VPIP stands for Voluntarily Put In Pot, which refers to a player's active investment in the pot before the flop. For example, if we have played 100 hands so far and have raised 20 hands, then our VPIP is 20%.

If we are at a 10-handed table, we have completed 10 rounds, and we can understand that we are only participating in about two hands per round on average, folding most of the time. Therefore, in the eyes of others, we are folding a lot.

Therefore, our image tends to be one of not entering the pot easily and not giving up easily after entering the pot. This can be fully utilized in poker pro strategy to expand our hand range.

Because we can create a high-quality hand image through our continuation bets and pot-winning, we can expand our range without any adverse effects. We can also create opportunities for heads-up play through 3-bets or 4-bets, using our starting hands to determine our actions after the flop.

Similarly, when facing a player with a low VPIP, we should try to choose a position closer to the back, where we can often seize the initiative, in order to complete our action line.

Preflop Poker Strategy: Considerations Factors for PreFlop Range

In the consideration of the preflop poker strategy, the last factor is our hand strength. After all, playing poker is about playing people and position, and the importance of hands lies in blocking actions.

Therefore, in considering our preflop range, it is difficult to include blocking ranges because we do not know which three community cards will be dealt.

But to effectively use preflop poker strategy, we can still target the blocking range before the flop, with the most obvious being the Ax hand series.

Here's a question for you: Do you think blocking cards should be suited or unsuited?

Generally, strategies will say that if the two cards are suited after the flop, they block two flush cards, so theoretically, they should be suited. However, the logic is different before the flop.

Indeed, two suited cards after the flop can block flush cards, but what we need to block before the flop is the result of opponents getting two suited cards on the flop. Therefore, if we have an unsuited Ax, it is considered a blocking hand. When we have a blocking hand, a proper 3-bet or 4-bet can maintain our initiative. Even if we are caught bluffing, we can get value when we have a big hand.

In the AX series, A/10-A/K and A/2-A/5 unsuited,poker pro strategy suggests that we can 3-bet more often. The reason is that these hands also form straight structures, which can be considered blocking hands for other straight combinations. This is advantageous for our initiative, as the chances of opponents getting a big hand against us are reduced.

Using the blocking card series to expand our range is a crucial part of preflop poker strategy, as it gives us more room to maneuver. It also allows us to get value when we have a big hand, as opponents will be more likely to pay us off in a wider range of situations, because as long as opponents do not have blocking cards, they will suspect our actions and are more likely to pay.

The above is our introduction to poker pro strategy regarding the pre-flop. In the future, we will have further discussions on poker pro strategy, including setting the action line after the flop and determining the timing to try a bluff. Don't miss it if you're interested. See you next time.

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