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In Lee Jone's "Winning Low Limit Holdem", Mr. Jones dosen't make 'specific' recommendations for which hands to raise with when first in and seated in middle and late position. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Well first welcome to the site and that is a loaded question!

As far as what to raise in what positions that is a huge question that can split into a whole book or at least a very large portion of a poker book. I will try to make a simple guide. This guide will assume you are first in the pot and are going to raise usually around 3 times the blind and sometimes around 4 times the big blind in late position.

Early Position: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, sometimes AQ suited.

Middle Position: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, AQ and sometimes 1010-99.

Late position: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, 1010, 99, AK, AQ, AJ, A10, KQ suited and we can start to add stealing hands at certain tables (tight player behind you/in the blinds) like suited aces and some smaller pairs. At a lot of tables you can raise almost any ace in late position, especially the button if the blinds are tight players.

I mentioned that in early and middle position I like to open raise for 3 times the big blind and a lot of times 4 times the big blind in late postition. The reason I raise 4 times in late position is that if I am stealing 4 times is more likely to get an opponent to fold and if I have a real hand 4 times the big blind looks like a steal and I can often get action out of players who like to defend their blinds and think I am stealing. They become convinced I am stealing with a weak hand and don't realize I have a real hand until I have thier money.

Also I don't raise a certain amount depending on the strength of my hand, I bet based on my position. I bet aces the same in early or middle position as I do and other hand I am openeing with in those postitions. This was it is pretty hard for an opponent to accurately guess what I have pre-flop when I play AA on the button the same as KQ off.

I will admit that I think I have a tighter opening standards than most so if anyone else has input please share!

__________________
"You will succeed far more by capitalizing on your opponents mistakes than you will by the greatness of your own play." --- I am not sure who said this but it is a great quote and piece of advice.


Colorado Players Click Here

Thanks so much for your input. I'm brand new to the game as this is my first book and the only playing I've done is online (Full Tilt) with play money except for one day that I lost/spent/invested $20 to observe the difference between the two.I have ambitions of eventually (2-5 yrs.) playing full time. I realize that it won't be all fun and excitement and that there exist a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to gain including bankroll mgt. and psychological development and skills. Do you or anyone else have any suggestion regarding a reading list or any other moves I can make in relation to achieving my goal.

P.S. If your comments are COMPLETELY negative, no offense, but save it for someone who allows negative input to disallow their goals. Thanks

Well good luck with your goal.

And as far as learning and gaining input on the game here are a few tips:

1) Continue to post on forums like these. Post hand you have played online and live and allow critisism of your play. I am not going to be mean in my replies but I am not always going to say you made the right play. You have to be willing to admit your game is not perfect before you can begin to learn.

2) A good title I would reccomend is "More Hold Em Excellence" by Lou Kreiger. If you want in depth begginer strategy this book is it. Poker is all about solid foundations, this book will build one for you. He goes hand by hand describing what hands play good in what positions and situations. Take it from someone who reads a lot of poker literature, for the questions you are asking so far, this book would be a great place to start.

3) Know that you will never stop learning in this game. It is at times fun, exciting, and painful. It can make you happy, angry, sad, mad, and joyous all the same. Little can really prepare you for the emotional part of the game, that comes with time and you will get there, so at this time you need to concentrate on getting down your game pat. Learn the odds, learn how to play hands. Don't just play the game, ask questions, seek advice. The fact that you are doing this already is a great sign. Don't stop!


I hope this helps. Check out that book and continue to post on forums like this one and eventually you will be the one doing the teaching!

__________________
"You will succeed far more by capitalizing on your opponents mistakes than you will by the greatness of your own play." --- I am not sure who said this but it is a great quote and piece of advice.


Colorado Players Click Here