Hand Analysis: 7-Nine
The online poker hand consisting of the two cards, 7 and 9, suited or unsuited, is a connecting hand that might not be standard in the range of a lot of players, but certainly can run its weight in surprise with the right flops. While less connective than the no-gap connectors like 7 8 and 8 9, seven nine can make for interesting results with a wide range of middle connecting flops.
When playing 7 9 it is often better to be raising than calling. Raising with disguised hands such as these also gain power from the fact that your online poker opponent will often assume that you are playing big cards or pairs, so that when the middle cards come that help this hand, they will be less likely to give you credit for having gotten there. It also adds value to be raising by the fact that more often than not your opponent will miss his own hand and therefore fold to your continuation bet after the fact.
With this kind of hand your optimum results on the flop are a straight or straight draw, but you can also often turn out good with top pair, two pair, trips, or thereabouts. Playing this other kind of non nut hand is a little bit more tricky, but with the right reads and timing, can bring in a good haul out of the lack of expectation. Remember this when you play poker online.
