Absolute vs relative hand strength in poker
Beginners often think in absolute terms: “I have a flush, that’s a great hand.” Good players think in relative terms: “How strong is my hand on this board, against this player’s range, after this action?”
Absolute hand strength
Section titled “Absolute hand strength”The rank of your hand on the hand rankings chart: a flush beats a straight, trips beat two pair, and so on.
Relative hand strength
Section titled “Relative hand strength”How your hand compares with the hands your opponents can have. The same hand can be a monster or almost worthless.
| Your hand | Board | Relative strength |
|---|---|---|
| 6♥5♥ (flush) | A♥ K♥ 9♥ 3♣ 2♥ | Weak: any higher heart beats you |
| 7♠7♦ (set) | 7♥ 8♥ 9♥ 10♣ | Vulnerable: straights and flushes are possible |
| K♠Q♠ (top pair) | K♦ 7♣ 2♠ | Strong on a dry board |
| K♠Q♠ (two pair) | K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♦ | Weak despite two pair: A-x and 9-x make straights, hearts make flushes |
Three things that change hand strength
Section titled “Three things that change hand strength”- The board. Connected and suited boards make many strong hands possible. See flop texture.
- The action. A tight player who check-raises the turn usually has more than one pair. See hand reading.
- The number of players. In a multiway pot, someone is more likely to have a strong hand.
A simple habit
Section titled “A simple habit”Before betting big, ask: “What’s the best hand possible here, and how many better hands can my opponent have?” If your hand isn’t close to the nuts and the action is strong, slow down.
Related: bluff catchers, thin value bets and pot control.
What is relative hand strength?
Section titled “What is relative hand strength?”How strong your hand is compared with the hands your opponent can have on this board after this action.
Can a flush be a weak hand?
Section titled “Can a flush be a weak hand?”Yes. A low flush on a board with four cards of one suit loses to any higher card of that suit.
What changes how strong my hand is?
Section titled “What changes how strong my hand is?”The board texture, the betting action and the number of players in the pot.
How do I judge my hand strength quickly?
Section titled “How do I judge my hand strength quickly?”Ask what the best possible hand is and how many better hands your opponent can have.