The top, the middle, and the bottom: three simple hands, but making them all work together without fouling and also beating your opponent, or multiple opponents, at the same time is the target that can make OFC so interesting and, at times, frustrating. I’m going to give you a simple tip for each line that I hope will get you on the right track with each hand and lead you to in-depth strategy elements that make the game so addicting.

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First, the top. This is the easiest and most overlooked hand. If you are up against someone who gives away the top almost every hand, you have a huge advantage. It often doesn’t take much to win up top and you can manipulate your hand in such a way to have a great shot at barely notching an unaware opponent on this line regularly. And the even better news is that setting your hand up this way gives you a much better chance at backing into a big royalty without being in high risk of fouling.

Don’t just ditch low cards to the top early on. The middle is often a much more useful place for them and gives you a chance to still develop a high card hand up top that can win that line. Once your opponent begins to define his top line, you can make your move with much more information.

Next, the middle. Don’t undervalue the value of a small pair in the middle. Often, those unwanted cards that often get pushed to the top can be of value in the middle, where you can pair them up with little risk of fouling. Once you have a pair in the middle, you are open to putting a high card up top where, very often, an ace- or king-high hand will win the line.

Once you have a big card safely up top, you are putting pressure on your opponent on that line and also giving yourself the chance to backdoor into a royalty on the bottom, two pair in the middle, and the very valuable big pair up top. In fantasyland variations, this build can be even more valuable.

Finally, the bottom. To get the middle and top hands to where you want them, you have to start with a base that is going to be strong enough to support the lines above it. Eight draws is a lot, and by the time you get a few draws in, you have a good bit of information to work with.

Don’t bail out on a good royalty draw too early, especially if your cards are live and your backup plan is likely to still be available a few draws down the road. For example, if you are drawing at a flush with three big cards on the bottom, a middle pair in the middle, and an ace up top, you don’t have to immediately give up on the flush as soon as you draw a card that pairs one of your big cards. If the flush cards are still relatively live and enough of the big cards are too, then you can hold out for the flush knowing that if you don’t make it, you still have a good shot at pairing up and not fouling.

Royalties are valuable, but they also make strong hands that often win lines; it is rare that a single pair on the bottom will win. So, unless you are drawing thin and need to lock up a working hand to protect your middle and top hands, it is often the right play to hold out a little longer and give your royalty a chance to come in.

OFC is a moving target, but having a plan puts you in the frame of mind to be actively thinking about how to take advantage of the information you have and the tendencies of your opponents. Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” You have to be willing to adapt on the fly, but the cognitive effort it takes to develop a plan in the first place will give you a leg up.

Court Harrington has worked on the business side of the poker industry in roles including tournament reporting for PocketFives, radio hosting for PokerRoad Radio, coaching for the WSOP Academy and privately, and a variety of behind-the-scenes responsibilities for poker media businesses. He also plays in cash games and tournaments. Harrington is currently doing consulting work and exploring business opportunities outside of the poker industry. You can contact him at Court@CourtHarrington.com.

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