Gus Hansen's Starting Hand Guide

[Sark79]

I watched a Gus Hansen DVD the other day, he talked about starting hands and how he chooses what to play from different positions at the table.

I will try to explain it for you.  Forgive me if this isn't 100% accurate, I only saw the DVD once and it was late. Most of this is basic, but there are some things I hadn't seen explained in this way before.


( STARTING HANDS BASED ON POSITION )

Starting hands evaluated based on postion round the table .

Play hands that adds up to 21.  Ace = 14 ,  King = 13,  Queen = 12,  Jack = 11, Ten = 10, Nine =9 , etc

For example if you want to add up to 21 -

Jack +10 = 21
Queen + 10 = 21
King + 8 = 21
Ace + 7 = 21

Obviously big cards are better than low cards

(SUITED OR CONNECTED CARDS ADD VALUE )

First to act/Early postion then you don't want to play a hand that adds up to 21, instead make your hand add up to 25 or 25. Play cards such as AQs, AK, KQs, Big Pairs. Solid premium hands.

When you are in middle postion, then lower the value to 25, 24 or 23.  Hands such as K10, A9, 9,10s, Middle Range pairs, etc. Loosen up the requirements, medium pairs.

When you get to the button, you can raise with anything ( Only if there isn't a raise already )


I like some of these ideas. But I tend to sway towards being abit tighter and don't play as aggressive as this alot of the time.

He also says that even though certain hands do add up to 21 such as the K,8.  Once you are called after betting with this hand, the value diminishes alot.  He also says that the 9,10s only adds up to 19, this hand is more powerful due to its suitedness/potential for straights and your ability to play it on the flop ( if you hit ). You can do many more things with the 9,10s after the flop than the K,8.  With the K,8 you need to hit on the flop. But the 9,10s leaves you with more options. Although some hands don't add to 21, playability after the flop means some hands can be played that don't add to 21.







 

[robyong]

but he plays J3, T2, 94 out of position and in early position, not sure Gus Hanson is a good model for starting hands, he just outplays people after the flop with any 2 cards (or hits and gets paid off), thats why he's so diifficult to play. I played with him at Bellagio, $15k buy in, a guy re-raised him big style with AA in BB after he had raised in SB with 62 off, , he still called out of postion with 62off, flop was 662, game over / lights out- is this in his DVD?

Also, what about the all-in call V with Q9 in British Open, and the all-in call in WPT with 8Ts? He's got balls to do a starting hand guide and try to sell it, although clearly he is a great player with the results he has and his no fear game.

[Sark79]

No, not on the DVD

I hadn't heard of the adding up hands before.  His method was the first time I had heard of this way of doing it
 

[Graham C]

it wasn't a Blackjack video was it

[Sark79]

lol   No, he said " Not to be confused with blackjack " .   The DVD was called Advanced Strategies or something like that

[simonow]

but he plays J3, T2, 94 out of position and in early position, not sure Gus Hanson is a good model for starting hands, he just outplays people after the flop with any 2 cards (or hits and gets paid off), thats why he's so diifficult to play. I played with him at Bellagio, $15k buy in, a guy re-raised him big style with AA in BB after he had raised in SB with 62 off, , he still called out of postion with 62off, flop was 662, game over / lights out- is this in his DVD?

Also, what about the all-in call V with Q9 in British Open, and the all-in call in WPT with 8Ts? He's got balls to do a starting hand guide and try to sell it, although clearly he is a great player with the results he has and his no fear game.

surely the 62 off and 82 off situations must remind people of some else other than Gus, probably even 72 will be remembered most, then all the guy does is shrug his shoulder with a smug smile.  wonder who it is??

[Scottish Dave]

but he plays J3, T2, 94 out of position and in early position, not sure Gus Hanson is a good model for starting hands, he just outplays people after the flop with any 2 cards (or hits and gets paid off), thats why he's so diifficult to play. I played with him at Bellagio, $15k buy in, a guy re-raised him big style with AA in BB after he had raised in SB with 62 off, , he still called out of postion with 62off, flop was 662, game over / lights out- is this in his DVD?

Also, what about the all-in call V with Q9 in British Open, and the all-in call in WPT with 8Ts? He's got balls to do a starting hand guide and try to sell it, although clearly he is a great player with the results he has and his no fear game.

I remember that T8 hand, against Antonio.

Antonio was totally astounded by the call, he just kept say "i dont get it, i dont get it" obviously the 8 on the flop beat Antonio's Pocket 77, to send him to shona

[thetank]

Shona?

[bhoywonder]

shona is the resident bad beat therapist


cmon tank


lol

[thetank]

I thought it was maybe getting  Shona Door.

[I, Zimbra]

Shana?

[I, Zimbra]

It were revenge for Antonio saying "Go back to Denmark and stick to Backgammon, kid" when he took a pot off him at the start of the game

[Sark79]

I like this hand featuring those two   http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kxw4euaD6GU&search=hansen

[Scottish Dave]

Shona?

...Hiatt

[Sark79]

She is married to Vince Van Pattens brother