Top hand play

Before I continue with hand setting posts, I have to take a break to talk about top hand play. I have seen so many people make terrible mistakes playing their top hands over the weekend, and I can't stand it any longer.

Rule #1) do not put a non-royalty pair up top before you have it covered in the middle.

I have seen so many people pair up on top with 22,33,44, or 55 before they anything to cover it in the back and middle hands. What makes this play so terrible is that you are risking a miss set without getting any royalty points in return.  I understand trying to put 66 or better up top in order to get a royalty, or even QQ if you are playing fantasy land, but there is almost never a reason to pair the top hand before the middle hand without a royalty possibility.

Rule #2) do not risk a foul in the top hand when you have already made a royalty in the back hand.

I had an opponent the other day who made a full house in the back after only seven cards.  He had Jd in the middle and 4s on top.  His next pull was a 4c and he paired the top hand.  He never paired the middle and fouled his hand with a potential 6 pt royalty in the back.  Once you have made a royalty in the back hand, make sure you do not risk a miss set or you are throwing away points in this game.

Ok, I just had to get that out.  Next post will get back to starting cards.

Setting your hand continued

I want to continue with the starting hand analysis.  Assume you are first to act and do not have any information about your opponent's cards.

Hand 2

At first glance, it looks like there is only one way to set this hand.  Most people would set JsJdAs in the back and 8c6c in the middle. While this is a good way to set the hand, there are several other ways you could play it effectively.

Alternate 1) set JsJd in the back, 8c6c in the middle, As on top

This is almost the same as the above setting, but by putting the A up top, you put pressure on your opponents but securing a strong top hand.  You do put yourself at risk in the middle hand, but you have a decent chance to pair up the middle if you continue to put cards below the J in the middle.  You also have a long shot at AA on the top which is a 9pt royalty.

Alternate 2) set AsJs in the back, 8c6c in the middle, and Jd on the top

Setting this way gives you a long shot at a big hand with two flush draws.  I don't normally like to break up a pair for a two card flush draw, but it is for an A high flush and the J on the top hand is a strong starting point.

Alternate 3) set As in the back, JsJd in the middle, 8c6c on the top

This setting is a little more risky as you need to cover the JJ in the middle.  So, you need to place higher cards in the back to try and pair them up.  This setting favors a middle and top hand win while trying to get a top hand royalty pay out.  Most people tend to focus on the back hand royalties, so this strategy can sneak up on your opponents.  A slight variation on this strategy would be to place the 6 in the middle with the JJ and try for a 7,9, or 10 on top with the 8.

Setting your hand

Sorry for the long delay between posts.  Was busy with the app, holidays, etc.  But now I am ready to get back into writing regularly.  I have played a lot over the holidays and wanted to focus on starting hands and how you set them.  The interesting thing is there are a variety if ways you can set each hand depending on you personal play style.  Below I have included some starting hands with different  ways to set with reasoning behind each strategy.

Hand 1

There are several ways to set this hand.  If you have the benefit of position and can see your opponent's cards, that should affect they way you play your hand, but for the purposes of this discussion we will assume you set first.

Strategy a) set 4s4d6s in back, Kh in the middle, Td up top.
This strategy gives you an opportunity to try for a 5 pt royalty u top with a pair of tens.  You are going for at least 2 pair in the back to cover the bigger pairs you are going for in the middle and top.  You also have a back door chance at a full house in the back.  If your opponent is likely to miss set, you can also play this set up more conservatively by not pairing up the middle and top and just play high cards.

Strategy b) set KhTd in the back, 4s4d6s in the middle, leave the top blank
This is probably the most conservative way to set the hand. Any other big cards drawn can be set in the back to improve the chances of getting a bigger pair in the back.  You don't want to place the 6 on top, because you already have a pair in the middle and are also looking for a high card and a 2 or 3 that you could pair up there.  The 6 is basically a dead card unless you can get two pair or better in the back early in the hand.

Strategy c) Set Td4d in the back, 6s4s in the middle, Kh on the top
This is the most aggressive strategy for this hand.  You are giving yourself a chance at royalties in all three hands, but you are at the highest risk for miss setting your hand.  If you take this approach and are able to improve your flush draws early, you can make your opponents play their hands more aggressively to try and counter your big hand potential.