Second hand of the night — everyone has their initial buy-in of about $1000 in front of them, and I pick up a couple of aces on the button. I have a raise in front of me, and one caller (under the gun raised 3BB — call middle position) — so I decided to re-raise about 8BB. The initial raiser made an instafold — middle position re-raised me the minimum. The pot was about $250 at that point, so I decided to go for the pot with the rest of my chips.

When the other side of the table started doubting — i put him on a middle pair — nines, tens — a hand I would probably fold if I were him — but playable none the less…

After about two minutes, the guy says: “nah, you don’t have it” — and he calls. I instashow my aces, and he says: “well, I”m on the draw” — and show me Q9 O/S.

Flop comes — A93 rainbow. Great — i’m well-ahead now. The turn makes my full house — another nine. My opponent is dead to the case nine. The river brings… A FRIGGING 9.

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. Opponent starts making noise and yells about how great he is — he just KNEW it… Awesome, dude! Anyway — I don’t mind aces being cracked — I do when it’s by a freaking one-outer on the river…

Oh well….

So what does make the best starting Hand? Three of a kind starting with (A-A) A and on down. You can look to make a full house or four of a kind.

Next there are the big pairs (AA-TT). Value a hidden pair with a big kicker the most. A hidden pair makes your hand harder to read.

Big suited connectors such as AKQs down to QJTs can help with flushes and straights (or hopefully a straight flush!)

Big suited semi connectors such as AKJs or KQTs can also help you draw for a nut flush or high straight.

Medium Pairs with a high kicker are probably the minimum you would look for in a hand medium trips or full house will be vulnerable as the second best hand.

With these starts as a guide look for hands where the value is hidden as if your hand is perceived a weak you are in a great betting position.

Before you start doing cartwheels because your starting hand is fantastic on last thing to consider is what cards everyone else has. There is no point chasing a hearts flush if you notice that every other person playing hearts in their up cards. If the only cards you need to make your hand stronger are in someone else’s pile then you may need to rethink your hand.