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Playing pocket pairs and suited connectors correctly - the "5-10 Rule"

When sitting at the poker table, one often encounters situations where it is unclear how to act: call, fold, or raise? However, strategy concepts from the world of poker provide the right answers for almost all imaginable situations. Today, we will focus on preflop play. In general, small pocket pairs and suited connectors are good preflop starting hands in No Limit Hold'em, but they are not always profitable. Many players misplay these hands and end up losing more chips than they win.

If you're uncertain about whether to call a raise with these hands or not, the "5-10 Rule" can offer some guidance. poker-6.com provides an explanation of what the rule entails, how to apply it, and the potential drawbacks associated with it. Seek assistance from the rule when unsure of making a decision on calling a raise with these hands. Discover the meaning behind the "5-10 Rule," learn its application techniques, and explore the limitations it may present.

What is meant by the "5-10 rule"?

The "5-10 Rule" is one of the fundamental No Limit concepts that every beginner should internalize. Originated by the renowned poker player and author Robert Ciaffone, this concept revolves around having a small pocket pair or suited connectors in your starting hand. It serves as a guideline for making strategic decisions during the pre-flop phase. By adhering to this rule, players can maximize their chances of success in the game of poker.

Pocket pairs and suited connectors

Why are hands with small pocket pairs or suited connectors so intriguing? With a small pocket pair, the player has the potential to land a set. Although they may miss the flop in eight out of nine instances, every ninth time they hit the drilling and have the opportunity to win a substantial number of chips. Even if the opponent misses the flop and is forced to fold to a bet, one can still claim the pot without a drilling. Suited connectors make for strong preflop hands due to their ability to flop hidden monster hands like a straight or flush. If the opponent then finds themselves with a high pair, it could cost them their entire stack.

The "5-10 Rule" states that it is permissible to call a raise with a small pocket pair or suited connectors as long as the raise does not exceed 5 percent of your stack. Conversely, if the raise is higher than 10 percent of the effective stack, it is necessary to fold the hand.

Effective stack

The effective stack refers to the total sum that could effectively flow into the pot. It is always the sum of the smaller stack, whether it's the one you have or the one your opponent has. If you still have 1,000 chips and your opponent has only 700 chips, no more than 700 chips can be won. Therefore, the effective stack amounts to 700 chips.

If the raise amounts to 5 percent of the effective stacks, one can always make a profitable call and hope for a set. The probability of hitting a set on the flop is 1 in 8. If the raise exceeds 10 percent, you won't hit the set often enough to make a profitable preflop call. The implied odds are too low to invest money preflop, as the final pot would be too small.

Examples of the “5-10 rule”

Example 1: Player 1 is dealt a pair of fours. He has 1,000 chips, sitting in the big blind, and the blinds are at 25/50. The button has 700 chips left and raised 3 big blinds preflop. The effective stack is now 700 chips (excluding the blinds). To play for those 700 chips, Player 1 would need to pay 100 chips. Since the raise amounts to 14 percent, it would be advisable for Player 1 to fold this hand.

Example 2: Seated at the button with a stack of 2,000 chips, Player 1 holds a suited 7-6 hand. The opponent, with 2,500 chips, decides to make a miniraise to 80, given the 20/40 blinds. Both the small and big blind hold 3,000 chips but tend to play conservatively, likely to just call rather than raise. With an effective stack size of 2,000 chips, the raise-to-stack ratio stands at 4 percent, indicating that Player 1 should opt to call.

Decision-making aids for the “5-10 rule”

At the poker table, players often find themselves in situations where the bet ranges from 5 to 10 percent of their effective stack. In such cases, the decision-making process becomes crucial, as players must consider various factors and make a choice based on their understanding of the game. When confronted with values that fall within this range, it is essential for players to trust their judgment and take into account additional variables before making a move.

The following points then lean towards a call option:

• The closer one is to 5 percent
• The greater the amount of Dead Money in the pot.
• The sooner the opponent is willing to go all-in on the flop even with medium hands
• If your own call ends the action before the flop and no further re-raise is possible.
• If one has the advantage over the opponent
• The more players are involved in the hand.
• The less frequently the opponent makes continuation bets.
• The better your table image is, the higher the chances of getting paid if you have been very active and are considered a loose player in previous rounds. However, if you have played particularly tight, your chances of getting paid are not good.

Arguments against the "5-10 rule"

Many players find it convenient to rely on the "5-10 rule." These players simply call whenever the call is 10 percent or less of their current stack. Consequently, many poker players are critical of the "5-10 rule." They believe that deciding whether to call or fold depends on many more factors than just the effective stack. Factors such as the opponents' possible hands, their playing style, or the position at the table are also crucial. Moreover, many players argue that the rule no longer applies in today's game, as it has become much more aggressive. An increasing number of players tend to raise even with marginal hands.

Example against the "5-10 rule": Player 1 needs to pay €85 to see the flop with 7-7. The effective stack is €1,000. Therefore, the "5-10 rule" yields a value of 8.5 percent. At first glance, Player 1 seems to make €41 profit in the long run if he calls. However, this assumption is only true if Player 1 always wins when hitting a set. But what if the opponent hits a higher set, a flush, or a straight? In fact, Player 1 wins with his set in 82 percent of all cases when the opponent holds any higher pair. He loses in 18 percent of the cases. Additionally, Player 1 won't always get paid by the opponent when he hits.