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The first to
act, on the immediate left of the dealer, is in the worst position.
If the game is seven-handed, there are six players sitting over
him who may raise. He requires an extra margin of strength and
should not open with less than a pair of Kings, at least not
in a large-limit game. If first to act passes out, second to
act is in a slightly better position in that he has only five
potential opponents who may raise. He needs slightly less strength,
and can open with a pair of Queens.
As each player in turn passes out, the next one is in a progressively
better position, and his requirements for opening drop. Third
to act needs a pair of Jacks, and subsequent players can open
on any medium pair. Finally we come to the last-but-one to act,
with the dealer as his only possible opponent. The chances are
slightly against the dealer's having even a pair, and last-but-one
to act can open with an Ace, King or any pair, however small.
In a six-handed game, first to act corresponds to second to
act in the above paragraphs and would need a pair of Queens
to open; second to act would need Jacks. In a five-handed game
first to act needs a pair of Jacks. The normal opening bet would
be the size of the pot (if the limit allows). If you have slightly
less than the suggested minimum, you can occasionally open for
a smaller amount.
This probably won't do you much good in that particular hand,
but later on you may want to open deceptively for a small amount
with a rockcrusher. In that case your previous play may make
this a less obvious bit of sandbagging. In a small-limit game
you get a much better percentage on your opening bet, and opening
requirements can be dropped to a high pair for an early opener
and any pair for middle and late opener.
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