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SharkFinn
Rock Star
Silver Level
It will depend on the situation, but generally I'd rather have 77. With 77 you have paid at worst and can hit a set. With A8 if you get an 8 on the board well that's not really much better than the pair of 7s. So to be materially better than the 77 you need a A or flush on the board, which you're not going to get the majority of the time
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PYO88
Enthusiast
Silver Level
77 with the probability of 777 which is i guess higher then the probability of getting a flush
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Daen27
Rock Star
Bronze Level
Both hand and not the best one for starting, I would choose A8 since A plays in many cases (the kicker may be weak, but there is a chance for a flush) and pair 7 only if there are no other high cards starting from 8, since it is not always possible to collect three 7
BillyR23
Legend
Loyaler
77s have slightly better equity preflop vs A8s(around 54% to 46%) but it depends a lot on what games you play, the position and the number of blinds you have(so many times it's better to have an A blocker than a small pair...).
GLGL all at the tables!
thehangdude
Visionary
Platinum Level
I would rather hold the 77, especially with a nice stack and position. A8 can be scared off top pair because of its bad kicker. Even when it catches a flush, getting money in the pot can be difficult.
When the third seven flops, it is more hidden than three to a flush.
77 is better percentage wise pre flop, and plays better post flop.
When the third seven flops, it is more hidden than three to a flush.
77 is better percentage wise pre flop, and plays better post flop.
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gichka97
Visionary
Bronze Level
eetenor
Legend
Platinum Level
Thank U 4 Posting
What matters is how good you are at playing post flop and how do your Villains play post flop.
If you are weak post flop A8s is the better hand to have as you are going to know when you make the nuts with it more often than with 77.
If you make a set with 77 on a K72 board after calling a raise preflop you do not know you have the nuts KK is possible if the turn brings A Q J again you do not know you have the nuts- same on river.
Many Villains know not to stack off with only a pair when someone is not aggressive preflop but turns aggressive post flop for fear of a set.
However many V have trouble getting away from flushes and will stack off.
Hope this helps
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ataraxyan
Rock Star
Silver Level
You can find the odds of pocket cards on the internet easily. In my research in under 5 players table, 77 is tied or better than A8. But in over 5 players table A8 is better. But as you know the odds are not everything. You should consider your position and styles of opponents. And the odds is usually for the case you get river card. So if you just limped in or you're in other vary situations, you need to take different strategy by the atmosphere around you.
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mara2259
Visionary
Bronze Level
Incorrect question. Without considering your position at the table, stack depth, tournament stage and many nuances, it is very difficult to make the right decision. For example, in early position, both hands are bad, and in late position against one opponent, both hands are great for all-in. Although in this case it is necessary to take into account the ratio of the stacks, as well as the individual characteristics of the villain's game.
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mara2259
Visionary
Bronze Level
Unfortunately I have to disappoint you. The odss calculator gives 53.4% versus 46.3% in favor of 77. You should pay more attention to the mathematics of poker. Good luck:deal:
Dorugremon
Rock Star
Silver Level
Equilab says:
The pocket sevens is a significantly better hand. The problems with (A8-s) are that a pair of aces will have a weak kicker. If an eight comes, even if it's a top pair, that puts straight draws on board, and that eight isn't likely to stay a top pair for very long. Flopping a flush draw will give you the nut flush draw, but it's not guaranteed to get there. Sevens also have problems: there is little room for improvement, a pair of sevens is unlikely to be an overpair, and it doesn't really block anything.
An (A8-s) blocks value hands like (AA) and AT+, so that opens up the possibility for running bluffs when it is less likely for your opponent to hold one of the above value hands. You would still like to see everyone fold when you open with either hand.
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eagleaces
Rock Star
Silver Level
Personally...
the answer is going all in pre short stacked id like the ace 8 suited but if i was 30+ big blinds and had to call a short stack i would like the 7's. But i think all around 7's is the stronger starting hand and ace 8 suited is more of a looser hand in my opinion for starting.
the answer is going all in pre short stacked id like the ace 8 suited but if i was 30+ big blinds and had to call a short stack i would like the 7's. But i think all around 7's is the stronger starting hand and ace 8 suited is more of a looser hand in my opinion for starting.
takinitSLEAZEE
Legend
Loyaler
Nice question. I think it depends on your stack size, position, trny or ring-game, and how many other players get involved. Two overs can really dominate a small pair on the flop since there are more cards in the deck that can beat 7's. Plus an A8std has more outs than 7's. If I'm short-stacked I'd shove w/7's but just raise w/A8std; just the opposite if I'm 30+ BB's.