UTG

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-PotCommited88-

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Hello I am relatively new to this site and i am tyring to get all of my poker problems fixed. Even though that will take some time, i have trouble playing from this position. i tend to call too loosely from UTG and i was wondering if i could get some feedback as to what kinds of hands you all play under the gun. for instance A 10 under the gun?? thats just an example. Thanks for the help!
 
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Seneku

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I only play full ring micro limits, so I can only answer in that context. UTG I only play JJ+ and AK strongly and depending on how passive the table is i'll limp with 77-1010, because sets are usually quite easy to play regardless of your position. You could loosen these requirements up a bit if you're confident with your oop play.
 
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Threads13

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Add all pairs, AQ, and some SC's and that is what I play UTG.
 
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Will Sidis

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Remember that when you're the first to enter a pot, it should be for a raise. Unless you're doing something tricky with AA.
 
RammerJammer

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I use Chris Ferguson's method of opening with uniform bets based on position. Early position = 2xBB. Middle position = 3xBB. Late position = 4xBB. Using this masking technique, I would open for the minimum raise UTG all the time. It's common wisdom that you should never, ever enter a pot with a flat call of the BB. However, I think a minimum raise is acceptable if you're using the Ferguson strategy, but a lot of players disagree and equate minimum raising with flat calling. To each his own, but my way has its method to the madness.

If I'm holding a premium hand, which I usually am if I'm entering the pot UTG at all, I can always re-raise that by-the-book raiser to my left. But if I want to mix it up a bit by playing a more marginal hand and someone raises, I can easily muck it without costing myself a lot of chips. If someone is paying attention to my "betting patterns", they'll soon figure out that I could be holding AA or 78 suited. They'll never know until I rain chips down on them. And if I do, they'd better have a monster.

By the way, if you're a new player, it's worth noting that Sklansky's Group I is widely recognized as the only cards you'll want to regularly play UTG: AA, KK, QQ, and AK suited. But you're also going to open with those for a big bet that only a donkey or someone with an equally big hand would call. Unless you're using the strategy I explained above.
 
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TheJace

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Heres the hands I play from early position. That being SB, BB and UTG:
  • AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, 99, 88, 77, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22
  • AKs, AQs, AJs, ATs, A9s
  • KQs, KJs, KTs
  • AK , AQ, KQ
Hands in bold I raise with. I raise 3-6 BB in a mostly random way.
 
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Seneku

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Heres the hands I play from early position. That being SB, BB and UTG:
  • AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, 99, 88, 77, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22
  • AKs, AQs, AJs, ATs, A9s
  • KQs, KJs, KTs
  • AK , AQ, KQ
Hands in bold I raise with. I raise 3-6 BB in a mostly random way.

These are very loose requirements. Also limping with A9s/A10s/KQ/KTs is questionable at the very least imo.
 
TheJace

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I don't think It's that loose. They have high straight/flush possibilities. Have to play to win.
 
dbitel

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FWIW, at 6max, UTG I raise any hand I play 3.5BB (pot) and these are the hands I ALWAYS play:

22-AA, AJ-AK, KQ, ATs.

The hands I sometimes play (I again always raise 1st in), I wouldn't recomment these unless you're really good postflop though are:

56s-QJs, A2s-A9s, ATo
 
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