Pocket Nines versus …
A lot of poker advice asks the new player to read a book or run a simulation or play some hands. Periodically, we are going to do some of that work for you. In this post we are going to look at pocket nines versus other potential poker hands.
We have done our calculations using a Poker Hand Calculator; there are dozens of these useful tools on the web. For these calculations we have used Poker Stove for no other reason then it was loaded on the computer I am using. All the hand calculators work the same, try a few and pick the one you like.
99 versus one random hand: Often players do not make this calculation and they should. If you are in the small blind and all have folded to you; what are your odds with 99 against the random hand in the big blind? 99 = 72% random hand = 28%
99 versus two random hands: Same situation but now you are the button with only the two blinds to deal with. You are now 53% to win against two random hands, which is why you raise to get at least one folder and increase your odds to 72%. Of course, any caller is not likely to have just a random hand.
99 versus any over pair: If you run into AA, KK, QQ, JJ or 1010, you are an underdog between 80% and 82% depending on suits. Against the under pairs 88 to 22 you are exactly the same favorite 80% to 82% over them.
99 versus AK: You are a 56% to 44% favorite; 52% if the AK is suited. Just about those same numbers hold true for AQ, AJ and A10. Against an ace/small A8 to A2, your numbers go way up to 71%, nearly as good as against the whole range of random hands.
So, what does all this tell you? Well if you just read over the numbers a couple of times; perhaps write them down. You don’t need to be exact but knowing you are a 4 to 1 underdog to bigger pairs and a 4 to 1 favorite against under pairs; this is basic information every poker player should know.
-This is Beginner’s Poker Blog Post #42
