Playing Pocket Tens

In limit holdem, far more so than in no-limit holdem, pocket tens are a playable hand unless good players sitting in front of you in the betting rotation’s early slots have raised or re-raised before the flop.  If that happens, chances are the pocket tens are a losing hand.

If you do take your pocket tens to the flop, you will likely need a “set” (three of a kind) to have a realistic shot at winning the pot. There is a pretty good chance that you will see overcards hit the board and if betting activity increases as a result of that, you can assume someone has you beat. Another factor to take into account is the size of the game.

With several players pocket tens are not nearly as strong as they are in a heads up game or a game with just two other players.  In a multi-way pot, you’ll need that set or a straight on the turn or on the river to win the pot.  One of the advantages pocket tens have over other medium to small pairs is that a 10 is a much better card to make a straight with.

If you are in a late position in the betting rotation and a couple of players before you just limp in, it is best to be conservative and do no more than call so you can see the flop cheaply.  It is not necessary to overpay with your pocket tens to see the flop.

From an early position it is best to simply call as well, and then read what the players who bet after you have.  It is prudent not to get carried away with pocket tens from either the early or late positions before the flop and to just let things develop while you hope to make the flop cheaply without having to call raises.

If you are in a game with aggressive or “loose” players, you should also just call, as you may have to call raises from loose players in later position and on a basis of mutual disrespect.  Loose players really don’t care much about raises from the early positions and you shouldn’t get flustered when a loose player raises back if he has raised frequently throughout the night.

If you are in a late position with pocket tens and a player from the middle or late position before you raises, you should consider re-raising in order to drive up the price to chase the early players out, and try and set up a heads up situation with just you and the raiser.  Playing pocket tens are more valuable when you are playing heads-up.  So many players overvalue playing pocket tens and it is a mistake you can easily avoid.