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The Poker Professionals Association

Research Chapter

02

PRO POINT SYSTEM

"Starting Hand Point Values"

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When analyzing your starting hand in Texas Hold'em using the point system, begin by counting all players at the table, including yourself and the dealer, to arrive at the number of points needed to play your hand. Subtract 1 to 2 points if you choose to play aggresively (loose) or add 1 to 2 points if you choose to play conservatively (tight). Please note that loose or tight refers to your play, not the other players style or the game.

See illustrated table below for starting values:

• 1 player + the dealer + you= 3 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 2 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 1 total point
• tight: plus 1 point = 4 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 5 total points
• 2 players + the dealer + you = 4 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 3 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 2 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 5 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 6 total points
• 3 players + the dealer + you = 5 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 4 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 3 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 6 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 7 total points
• 4 players + the dealer + you = 6 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 5 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 4 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 7 points total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 8 points
• 5 players + the dealer + you = 7 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 6 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 5 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 8 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 9 total points
• 6 players + the dealer + you = 8 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 7 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 6 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 9 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 10 total points
• 7 players + the dealer + you = 9 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 8 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 7 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 10 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 11 total points
• 8 players + the dealer + you = 10 points
• loose: minus 1 point = 9 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 8 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 11 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 12 total points
• 9 players + the dealer + you = 11 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 10 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 9 points
• tight: plus 1 point = 12 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 13 total points
• 10 players + the dealer + you = 12 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 11 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 10 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 13 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 14 total points
• 11 players + the dealer + you = 13 total points
• loose: minus 1 point = 12 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 11 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 14 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 15 total point
• 12 players + the dealer + you = 14 total point
• loose: minus 1 point = 13 total points
• very loose: minus 2 points = 12 total points
• tight: plus 1 point = 15 total points
• very tight: plus 2 points = 16 total points

* Important Note: Only in extreme conditions should you play very loose or very tight. These conditions we will cover in detail in subsequent chapters. We are using these conditions only to illustrate the extreme options and flexibility you can have using the point system. Most effective and profitable play consists of playing the standard recommended points, as underlined above in green, with only occasional adjustments of 1 point in either direction as playing conditions warrants.

We realize that Texas Hold'em can be played with from 2 to more than 12 players; however, we have illustrated the most common number of players above. Although it is rare to see a game with only 2 or 3 players, we have included these as very few players are currently knowledgeable in this type of game, thus it presents a very profitable situation for the pro who is able to apply the point system correctly when these games occur. We have on occasions observed two players sit and beat each other up in 2 person higher stakes live games without either player having much of a clue as to how to play this type of shorthanded game.

Since you as a pro gets paid for making correct decisions, or at least playing with people who make more incorrect decisions than you do, shorthanded playing allows you to make more decisions per hour and thus, in theory at least, more profit. This is particularly true when the other player or players are uncomfortable with shorthanded games.

If you are a new member please take a day or two to review the point system, as it is important to have a thorough understanding of the basics before we continue with more advanced applications.

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