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A longhand poker game is one that includes eight or more players. Online poker players and land based ones alike need to remember that as the number of players increases, the probability of victory decreases. Longhand Texas Hold'em therefore requires additional patience and concentration to avoid mistakes and misbets.
The most common mistake amateur longhand Texas Hold'em poker players commit is playing any starting poker hand regardless of its value. This is a major no-no. The right choice is to wait for a hand that gives you a chance to win. This ia a hand that is of a relatively high value or, at least, just playable. Some pros breakup starting poker hands into eight categories. For the purpose of this poker tutorial, we are only presenting four to make it simpler.
Definitely Play Em
The first set of hands worthy of playing invove pairs from Jack to Ace (AA, KK, QQ, JJ) or an Ace-King combo. No matter how you look at it, these are the strongest Texas Hold'em pre-flop hands with the highest potential to bring you victory. David Skalansky, an established author on the topic says that these starting hands (with the exception of AK and JJ, where you need to be slightly more careful) should be raised from any position at the poker table. These hands are winning hands and you can rule the table with them.
Use Em
The second set of hands are less strong but still powerful. These are TenTen, 99, AQ, KQ. These hands bear a certain percentage of risk as they are a step down from the first set. Our advice is that you play these hands but don't go overboard when it comes to calling. This is because you don't really have a substantial advantage going into the Flop.
Try Em
The third set of hands is 88, AJ, AT, KJ, QJ, JT, QT. These hands are still in the 'good' category. What you need to pay special attention to is AJ, AT and KJ because these may eventually get beaten by your opponent's higher kicker. These hands boast the strongest contribution to your winning chances when you are the last one to act or when they are suited. Remember, if there was a lot of raising and reraising action before you, it is better to consider quiting the game because some of your opponents are probably holding cards much stronger than yours. On the other hand, if most of the players folded to you and there are but a few who called, then a raise is definitely in place.
Read your opponents
The fourth set of hands is A suited with any number card, K7+ anything suited, hole pairs 77, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22, and suited connectors T9s, 98s, 87s, 76s, T8s, 97s, 86s. On the one hand, these combinations miss the pot very frequently. On the other hand, there are situations in which they are simply fantastic (for instance, if you happen to hit a flush). Therefore, think about the pot odds if you are actually going to make something useful with these hands. What you need to hope for is that many of your opponents go into the flop.
As you've probably noticed there is a special element to longhand Texas Hold'em poker. When you have many opponents, as is usually the case, you need to pay very close attention to your own moves and the moves of your opponents. However, above all you need to be selective about the starting hands you are willing to play with.