Poker has changed in so many different ways, but one of the things some players have started doing on their poker journeys is using charts as a visual aid. The fact that poker is now played online in a lot of scenarios means that it is easier (and perhaps less of a giveaway) to have a few simple charts to look at things like the card rankings and which hands a player might be able to get from the position they are in.
While luck has a role to play in poker there is also an element of strategy that a lot of players focus on. In the early days of playing poker, it can be a lot to remember and this is where the charts can potentially come into the equation.
Strategy Charts
Charts and aids definitely come in a lot of different forms, not forgetting the fact that there are different varieties of poker so a player who is going to try Texas Hold Em poker might need a reference on the Hold Em starting hands to know exactly how this form of the game works. Texas Hold Em is the most popular of the varieties of poker but it is by no means the only one, there are lots of different variations on the poker theme. Each may have subtle varieties in strategy.
Strategy charts can serve as a kind of road map for players. They outline options in different situations based on mathematical probabilities. One of the most common types of poker charts is the starting hand chart as discussed. This chart provides a quick reference for which hands to play and which to fold, depending on factors like position at the table or the strength of one’s cards. It’s the kind of thing that helps a player avoid rookie mistakes, like getting too attached to a pair of twos or being overly confident with an unsuited 7 and 4.
Random things happen in poker. There are a lot of unknown elements and there are examples where traditionally weak hands may become stronger based on the community cards – this has been seen in examples where a player might opt to play on with a 7 and 2 (like the video below). While it isn’t a strong starting hand in the charts or on the face of it, sometimes the game takes a turn.
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These strategy charts simplify decision-making by using a grid that shows various combinations of cards and how they should be played – it should be a quick reference for people. Players can know where they are at in terms of the start of poker – if a player is in an early position, they may only want to play premium hands like pocket aces or kings. The further down the line, the more hands become viable options, thanks to other information that players get from learning and observing. Each game is different and for everything the charts can tell people there are also psychological elements to consider.
Understanding Card Rankings
Again, this is something beginner players might find a little bit of a challenge, and getting to know the hierarchy of hands can help. This might seem basic to seasoned players, but for beginners, knowing that a full house beats a flush or that a straight is stronger than three of a kind is essential knowledge.
Card ranking charts outline every possible combination from the highest – the royal flush – down to the humble (and usually not very useful) high card. Even this is open to different interpretations and strategies and a lot of people use the method David Sklansky and Victor Chubukov built for ranking cards and hands.
These charts play an important role beyond just memorization. They reinforce the probability behind each hand. For example, knowing that a straight flush is exceedingly rare reminds players that chasing such a hand can be risky. On the flip side, understanding that two pairs often win small pots allows players to appreciate the strength of holding such a combination. It’s all about understanding the numbers behind the game.
The Math and Probability is Just One Aspect
While poker charts are useful, they are not the be-all and end-all. A chart can’t predict every scenario, especially in a game where humans can bluff and their behavior and psychology change how poker might play out.
Experienced players might start with charts, but they often develop their own strategies over time and just a better understanding of the game. Charts are good for understanding more about the game and definitely for beginners, but eventually, people may want to understand more about things like psychology. In the Masterclass options, Dan Negreanu and Phil Ivey both talk about the relevance of skills for reading people.
Players are all different but the very basics include understanding the hands so this foundational knowledge is important for those getting started.