kryptonite

A10 on or off suit, rumoured to be a pretty poor starting hand, except when i am up against it, hence the name i have given it, KRYPTONITE, when i hold it, i lose, when im against it, i seem to lose, LOL this is actually a thread to ask if anyone else has these kinds of things, where they feel like everyone else wins with a certain hand, except you, i watch tourney after tourney, pot after pot get taken by a monster hand of A 10, called into a raise, or raised them selves, and i get the monster on the button, and proceed to loose alot of money, anyone else with similar?

I have never bought into any of the "poker superstition" like this. Some people absoultely hate pocket jacks. I don't. Sometimes I win with them, sometimes I lose, just like any other hand.

You pretty much just have to know how to play the hand, just like any other... if you attach some stigmata to a hand, then you are probably going to play it badly, hence perpetuating the stigmata.

Specifically, AT is a medium-strength hand. Suited, a little better. I really don't like raising with this hand. Some people hold this hand like they're pocket rockets, and they get all upset when they lose it.

My general strategy with AT:
Normally will just limp in with this at a full table, though I may raise from late position in an unraised pot

All of you work is going to be done on the flop pretty much. About 40% of the time you're going to hit a pair on the flop. Your best bet it so hit a Ten, so you have TPTK. All is not lost if you hit the ace though. You've got the 4th best kicker to a pair of aces, and only two Aces left in the deck, you may very well have the best hand here. Bet or raise the flop to determine where you're at. If you get raised, bail. Most likely you're up against AK or a 2pair/trips.

If you flop 2pair/trips/straight, well you know what to do.

If you hit a straight draw and/or flush draw, chase it down if you get the pot odds.

If you hit a pair AND a straight or flush draw, bet it. You may have the best hand, and if not, quite possibly will get there.

Conclusion:
Be cautious with top pair with an AT. I see so many people play this hand like they've got the nuts when they pair their ace... bad idea. Straight/flush draws are where this hand thrives, it's not gonna happen every time but it pays off well when it hits.

very good reply, thanks alot

My theory on the appeal of ATs:

It looks nice. Nice simple card (A) with a nice filled card (T) with matching patterns (suit). No messy faces to look at.

So, some people think that it should play fast, like pocket rockets, and they play it accordingly.


That's the only way I can explain the way some people play it.