starting hands question

hi guys, from what i have read the readers on this forum seem to be very skilled players and i was hoping to get some thoughts on a couple things. first of all does anyone else find that hands like 4 5 and 7 8 are the best moneymaking hands on cash tables? what I mean is when u hit lower cards it seems like ppl pay you off more often because they dont expect you to really have those cards. I admit, I'm not a very good player by any means and this may be donkey play. I just want your opinions. My other question is do you guys have a set guidline as to what hands you will play? I know that if your big blind your in it assuming no one raises of course, but other than in the blinds. I'm sorry if these are stupid questions but I guess you never know till you ask.

Suited connectors can be great hands, but don't over value the implied odds on them. Alot of people will play suited connectors and think that when they hit they can get the other persons whole stack. If you can get in and see the flop cheap they can really pay off though. There are a few preflop hand selection charts floating around here on CC. Depending on what game you are wanting to play just use the search and find the game you are playing

There's the last 10,000 hands I've played. I see mostly big cards. Only 76s makes an appearance in the top 10.

The hand values are roughly the same in cash games as they are in tournaments. Small pairs, suited connectors go up in value. Big off-suit paint cards go down in value. However, starting hand values vary so much based on your opponents that could be in the pot, and your position at the table. Which is why I think hand charts are pretty stupid, since they only take position into account.

You should not be surprised at all and should expect that people will play just about any 2 cards, especially at low stakes games. For your own play, I would stick to playing better hands and see how it works out for you. Remember, hands like Ace, rag or K,10 may get you in trouble against a better kicker. Don't play 'em in early position. In late position you can loosen up a little but be wary...

Well to your first question, those are good money making hands, but you
have to know when to use them. For the second question, you use them
when you feel that its appropriate... and how do you know this? well, lets
say you have been playing tight for a while, and you get a conected suiter
like 45 of hearts. A substantial raise will make them put you ona ace king
or pockets or something, a medium raise ace queen... and so on. You
make the raise and then you have the edge of either bluffing if not
catching, or making something and winning the big stuff. Thats only one
way of doing it... other ways would be to confuse them in the middle of a
hand... check raise is the most obvious way but you can be creative and
make interesting moves that will dazzle on the table.

wikeddrew said:

what I mean is when u hit lower cards it seems like ppl pay you off more often because they dont expect you to really have those cards.

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It depends on position, and whether or not you made (or called) a preflop raise). I'm not surprsied at anything a BB, SB or even button might hit on an unraised preflop. So, the blinds are actually the best position to semi-bluff on a 752 flop.

Well, I'm far from an expert either, but yikes, your questions are too multi-dimensional to be answered succinctly. The main factors, I believe, are stack size, position, and limit vs NL or PL. Suited mid-connectors for example, are most ideally suited in late postion, with a big stack, and possibly in limit. You expect to still be drawing after the flop (so you'll have to be be able handle a bet from top pair crap kicker), but to a potential monster.

Divebitch said:

Suited mid-connectors for example, are most ideally suited in late postion, with a big stack, and possibly in limit.

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No limit. Implied odds play a much more important role in the unlimited game, as does fold equity.

c9h13no3 said:

No limit. Implied odds play a much more important role in the unlimited game, as does fold equity.

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Ah, fold equity. Thanks. Notice I wasn't sure at all as I said "possibly in limit". Guess my thinking was that your opponent with the aforementioned top pair-rag would also appreciate the same concept of fold equity. And perhaps since you expect to still be drawing, try to see even the turn cheaply/cheaper. Guess that (semi-)bluff works both ways.