Poker Hands Analysis – Poker Strategy for Every Position

Hands analysis is a fundamental process that happens in every betting round during a poker game. Each player usually analyzes his decisions in each betting rounds and wonders what he should have done differently. "Retrospective analysis" is where everyone is smart and knows what was the best decision that could have been made.

Follow our guide and learn how to analyze your hands quickly and efficiently and improve your poker skills.

First Example

You are holding pocket Kings (K-K) and you are in the middle position, one spot after under the gun (UTG) position, at a table with 6 more players.

First scenario KK

Scenario 1 – The UTG player pay only the big blind, your bet must be at least 3 to 4 times the blind. The purpose of your bet is to make the players with weak, or medium hands in late positions to fold. These players will try to limp and to see the flop, just because the bet is low for them. The chances of your pair of kings winning against one player is significantly higher than against 2 or 4 players.

Scenario 2 – The UTG player, bets 2 times the big blind. You must raise your bet 2-3 times above the UTG player's bet. The purpose of your bet is to get out players with medium hands who have considered paying and also, to learn from the action of the UTG player against your raise. If he only pays your bet, you can estimate that he has a weaker hand than yours. If he re-raises again, you can estimate that he may have a strong hand such as a pair of Aces or an Ace and a King.

Second Example 

You are holding pocket nines (9-9), and you are in a late position, at a table with 6 more players.

Second scenario Pair 9-9

Scenario 1 None of the players in the early and middle positions place a bet, but all players paid the big blind bet (they limp). You must place a bet of 3-4 times the blind. The purpose of your bet is, to put more money into the pre-flop betting round, and to make players with weaker hands who are trying to see the flop without adding more money to fold. Your second purpose is to win the hand in case none of the players pay your bet and thus you will earn all the blind payouts.

Scenario 2 An early or middle positions players made a bet of 2-3 times the blind. You must pay the bet as it's not recommended to do a re-raise. The purpose of your bet is to stay in the game and to see the flop. Because you are in a late position, you can learn from the action of all players. Also, you can also see if the flop strengthened your hand, and thus you will know which bet to place in the second round of betting.

Third Example

You are holding pocket cards an Ace and a King suited hearts and you are in the dealer position (Button) at a table with 6 more players.

Ace-King suited in the dealer position
Play Poker at Betonline

Welcome American Poker Players

Get up to 100% deposit bonus with POKER1000 code, Sign Up Today!

Scenario 1 None of the players in early, middle, or late positions placed a bet, but all players paid the blind bet (they limp). You must place a bet of 4 times the blind. The purpose of your bet is to add value to the pot in the pre-flop betting round and to make players with weaker hands who are trying to see the flop without adding more money to fold. The second purpose is to win the hand in case none of the players pay your bet.

Scenario 2 One of the players in the early or middle positions placed a bet of 2-3 times the blind. You should pay this bet and also, to consider doing a re-raise over that bet. The purpose of paying the bet is to see the flop. The purpose of doing a re-raise is to show strength. You are  holding Ace and King suited which is one of the 5 strongest opening hands in poker, along with your position at the table, which will give you an advantage.

Fourth Example

You are holding pocket cards, Jack, and a 10 suited hearts in the middle position at a table with 6 more players. The flop is 8 of Spades, a Queen, and 3 of Hearts.

Jack-10 suited hears in middle position

Scenario 1 None of the players in the early positions place a bet. If you are a passive player don't add more money into the pot and let other players control the hand. If you are playing aggressively, place a bet of 3/4th of the pot. Your goal is to get the out card you need and to hold flush or straight and also to add value to the pot.

Scenario 2 One of the players in the early or middle positions places a bet of 2-3 times the blind; you must pay that bet. The purpose of paying is to see the turn card and hopefully to get one of the out cards you have. (you have 10 out cards) and thus increasing your odds of winning that hand.

Fifth Example 

You are holding after the flop set of nines, the flop has an Ace and 2 of clubs, and 9 of hearts. You are in an early position at a table with 6 more players.

Flop has an Ace and 2 of clubs, and 9 of hearts

Scenario 1 – The SB player, didn't place a bet, so you need to bet at least half of the pot, be careful not to over betting, it's might lead all players to fold and you don't want that. Your purpose is to add value to the pot and hopefully one or two players will pay your bet. Another purpose is to prevent the possibility that the second round of betting will end when all players are checking with no betting, this can lead to a revealed flush-out card for one of the players for free.

Scenario 2 You decided not to place a bet (Slow play), and you are checking, following the check from the SB player. This is a dangerous move that can lead you to either lose the hand or to earn a big pot. The purpose is to let other players in middle or late position to control the hand, a player who may hold a pair of Aces or two pairs. This can be a risky move if in case of no bet is placed and the betting round ends with checks of all players, it might lead getting the turn card without adding value into the pot, and with odds of 16%, the turn might be a suit clubs card, which will jeopardize your win in this hand.

Sixth Example

You are holding two pairs, 8 and 9 of Spades after the flop. Flop is 9 of diamonds, 8 of hearts, Ace of clubs. You are in the middle position at a table with 6 more players.

8 clubs 9 clubs, who became two pairs
Play Poker at Betonline

Welcome American Poker Players

Get up to 100% deposit bonus with POKER1000 code, Sign Up Today!

Scenario 1 The UTG player place a minimum bet, it's recommended to show strength and to do re-raise of 2-3 times the previous bet. The purpose of your re raise is first to increase the payment for players who will come after you or make them fold this round. Another purpose is to show to UTG player, that you have a strong hand and not to let him get the turn card without paying more money into the pot. The third purpose is to learn about the strength of the hands of all other players according to their actions.

Scenario 2 The first two players in early positions didn't bet, you did a bet of 2/3rd of the pot, and all other players folded and only The UTG player re-raises over your bet. Now, is your turn to act again, it's advisable just to pay the bet. It's not advisable to make a re-raise and to be committed to the pot. Your opponent can hold higher two pairs than yours or even three of a kind. When the turn card will be revealed, you will know how to proceed.

Some guides might recommend you to make a re-raise or to go all in. That might be a good idea, but you must gain more experience and learn how to analyze the other players’ early decisions and decide on that basis.

Download Your
Favourite Poker Platform

Sign up logo for BetOnline Poker

Download BetOnline

Use POKER1000 code for up to 100% Bonus

Sign up logo for Tiger Gaming Poker

Download Tiger Poker

Great Bonuses for new players

Sign up logo for 7XL Poker

Download 7XL

Part of GGNetwork

Scroll to Top