The Best Damn Hand In Poker - Poker Strategy, Tips and the Secrets of 72o

The Imposter

Sadly, this is a topic that brings tears to my eyes but is one that must be firmly addressed.

As you learned in your previous lesson, many new initiates make the mistake of playing 7 2 Suited. It is a flawed strategy that has led to many a busted flush draw and even, in some cases, fierce and brutal fights.

Learn to recognise the imposter. It rears it's ugly head in four different ways. Focus on these 4 variations for a while until you are sure you can recognise them when they appear as your hole cards:

If you can learn to quickly identify and discard this hideous imposter then you are doing extremely well and I am sure that riches are growing ever closer to you. Let us continue with some practical examples of why this nasty and vicious imposter should be avoided at all costs:

Example:

You are playing Limit Holdem $1/$2, are sitting UTG (under the gun) and hold 7d 2d. Understandably, as a new initiate, you do not realise that this hand is suited and believe you are playing the genuine article and open raise to $2.

The next few seats fold, a middle player calls, everyone else folds and the big blind calls.

Three players see the flop:

The big blind bets, you raise (under the false impression that the imposter will ever let you win) and the middle player folds. The big blind calls and you both see the turn:

At this point, there is now $10.50 in the pot. Your aggressive play with 72s means that you have invested $4 of this $10.50, representing some 38%. Having put so much money in and now feeling pot committed you proceed to immediately raise when the big blind bets yet once more. He quickly re-raises you and in a mad frenzy of delusion you cap the action. 2 players see the river:

There is now $26.50 in the pot, and as expected, the imposter did not deliver the goods. (He never does.)

Having now put $12 of your hard earned cash into this pot you immediately raise his river bet in order to represent the Ace, in a vain hope of making him fold to your feeble bluff.

Alas, your masterful deluded plan is scuppered as once again the big blind raises you.

At this point, you are consigned to defeat and coming to your senses you decide to fold your vulgar hand.

The big blind happily collects the $34.50 pot and proudly shows his

Had you have called him or capped, you would have won this pot with A Q 10 9 7. Instead, you were bluffed out on the river by A Q 10 9 6.

This is a classic and valuable example of why the suited imposter will always sell you down the river.

Had you have been playing the genuine article, you would have folded your hand on the flop and would have saved yourself $12.

Having now firmly planted the threat of monetary loss into your mind, let us move on to understand the deeper nature of why 72 off suit is the best damn hand in poker:

NEXT: The Secret Law Of Improbability