Poker Combos: The Backbone of Advanced Strategy

Ever wondered how poker pros seem to have a sixth sense about their opponents’ hands? They’re not psychic — they’re masters of poker combinations. At CoinPoker, we know that understanding poker combos is the bridge between playing by feel and playing with precision.

Whether you’re tired of guessing what your opponents have or ready to take your game to the next level, this guide will transform how you think about poker hands.

What is a Poker Combo?

In poker, a combo is a specific set of hole cards that can form a certain hand. Sounds simple, right? But here’s where it gets interesting – each poker hand can be made up of multiple different combinations of cards, and understanding these combinations is like having X-ray vision at the tables.

For example, when we talk about “Ace-King suited,” we’re not just talking about one possible hand – we’re talking about four different combinations (A♠K♠, A♥K♥, A♦K♦, A♣K♣).

The real power of understanding combos comes when you start using them to analyze ranges and make better decisions. Think of it like building a house with Lego blocks. Just as you can use different colored blocks to build the same structure, you can use different combinations of cards to make the same poker hand. Instead of thinking “My opponent probably has Ace-King,” you can think “My opponent has exactly 16 possible combinations of Ace-King (4 suited + 12 offsuit).” This precision is what separates the pros from the amateurs.

Of course, this same logic can be applied to other combinations. It all depends on the situation you’re in.

Real Example of Poker Combos in a Game

Let’s make this concrete with a hand from a recent high-stakes game at CoinPoker. You’re holding A♠K♠ on a flop of K♥7♣2♦. Your opponent, who raised preflop from early position, makes a substantial continuation bet. How many combinations of better hands could they have?

Let’s break it down:

• Pocket Kings (KK): Only 1 combo possible (K♦K♣) since you have A♠K♠ and K♥ is on the board
• Pocket Aces (AA): 6 combos
• Pocket Sevens (77): 3 combos (7♠7♥, 7♠7♦, 7♥7♦)
• Pocket Deuces (22): 3 combos (2♠2♥, 2♠2♣, 2♥2♣)

Just like that, we’ve mapped out exactly 13 combinations that beat you. When you compare this to the dozens of worse hands in their range, that big bet starts looking more like an opportunity than a threat.

Why Are Poker Combos Important to Your Game?

Understanding poker combinations revolutionizes your decision-making process. Instead of playing guessing games, you’re now working with concrete numbers and probabilities. Here’s why this matters:

• Range Analysis: You can accurately assess the likelihood of your opponent holding specific hands
• Better Bluff Detection: When you know how many value combinations your opponent can have, you can better spot bluffing opportunities
• Value Betting Optimization: Understanding combos helps you size your bets to target specific parts of your opponent’s range
• Improved Hand Reading: You’ll start thinking in terms of complete ranges rather than individual hands
• Tournament Edge: In ICM situations, precise combo counting can help you make better decisions under pressure

Remember, poker isn’t just about playing your cards – it’s about playing the player, and understanding combos gives you the tools to do exactly that.

Dead Cards and Card Removal in Poker

Dead cards are like missing pieces in a puzzle – they fundamentally change what hands are possible. When a card is “dead” (visible in your hand, on the board, or exposed), it’s no longer available to make other combinations. This concept, known as card removal, is crucial for accurate hand reading.

For example, if you hold A♠K♠ and the flop comes K♥7♣2♦:

• Only two Kings remain available (K♦, K♣)
• No flush draws are possible in spades
• Certain straight combinations become impossible
• The total number of Ace-high combinations your opponent could have is reduced

Understanding dead cards isn’t just theoretical – it has practical applications in every hand you play. It helps you narrow ranges, spot bluffing opportunities, and make better decisions in marginal situations.

Poker Combos Chart: How Many Combos Are There?

Let’s break down the mathematical foundation of poker combinations with a chart. Understanding these numbers is crucial for accurate hand reading and range construction:

Starting Hand Type	Number of Combinations	Example
Pocket Pairs	6 combos	AA has 6 different combinations
Suited Hands	4 combos	AKs has 4 different combinations
Offsuit Hands	12 combos	AKo has 12 different combinations

This means that when we’re thinking about AK as a complete hand:

• 4 suited combinations (one in each suit)
• 12 offsuit combinations (each Ace can be paired with three Kings of different suits)
• Total of 16 possible combinations

The distribution of these combinations explains why you’ll see offsuit hands more often than suited ones – there are simply more ways to make them. This knowledge becomes particularly powerful when:

• Constructing preflop ranges
• Calculating odds against specific hand types
• Planning bluffs based on blocker effects
• Making close decisions in marginal spots

Remember, these numbers change as cards become visible through the course of a hand. Every exposed card reduces the possible combinations for related hands.

Understand How to Count Poker Combos

Counting combos might sound like advanced mathematics, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the process. Think of it like solving a puzzle where each piece affects the availability of others. Let’s break down the counting process into manageable steps:

1. Start with Base Numbers:

• Pocket pairs: 6 combinations
• Suited hands: 4 combinations
• Offsuit hands: 12 combinations

2. Account for Known Cards:

• Each card you can see (in your hand or on the board) reduces the available combinations
• Board cards often eliminate multiple combinations at once
• Your hole cards block combinations in multiple ways

3. Consider Position and Range:

• Not all players play every possible combination
• Position affects likely holding ranges
• Preflop action narrows combinations further

For example, let’s say you’re trying to count how many AK combinations our villain could have after raising from UTG. If you hold A♠3♠ and the flop is K♥7♦2♣:

• Start with 16 total AK combos (4 suited + 12 offsuit)
• Remove 3 combos containing A♠
• Remove 3 combos containing K♥
• Consider that UTG ranges typically play all AK combos
• Result: 10 remaining possible AK combinations

This kind of precise counting leads to better decision-making throughout the hand.

What Are Blockers in Poker?

Blockers are your secret weapon in the battle of incomplete information. When you hold cards that would be key components of your opponent’s strong hands, you’re holding blockers. This concept is like having insider information about what hands are impossible for your opponent to have.

Consider this scenario: You’re considering a river bluff on a board showing three spades. If you hold the A♠ in your hand, you know your opponent cannot have the nut flush – that’s a powerful blocker effect that might make your bluff more likely to succeed.

Blocker effects influence:

• Bluffing decisions (when you block their strong hands)
• Calling decisions (when you block their bluffs)
• Preflop hand selection (especially in 3-bet and 4-bet pots)
• Tournament situations where ICM pressure is high

Understanding blockers isn’t just about knowing what hands are impossible – it’s about adjusting your strategy based on the combinations you’re blocking.

How to Think About Blockers Logically

Approaching blockers logically requires understanding both their power and their limitations. Here’s how to think about blockers in a structured way:

1. Identify Key Hands:

• What are the strongest hands possible?
• What are the most likely bluffs?
• Which draws were completed or missed?

2. Consider Your Blockers:

• Do your cards block value hands or bluffs?
• How significantly do they impact possible combinations?
• Are you blocking multiple important hands?

3. Adjust Your Strategy:

• Bluff more when blocking strong hands
• Call less when blocking bluffs
• Size bets based on blocked combinations

For example, holding Q♠J♠ on a 9♠8♠7♣ board isn’t just a flush draw – you’re also blocking other players from having the same draw, making their betting ranges more value-heavy.

How to Count Combos of Different Poker Hands

Understanding how to count specific hand combinations is necessary for making informed decisions. Let’s break down each hand type and explore how to count their possible combinations accurately.

Counting Combos of Pairs

When counting pocket pairs, start with the base number of 6 combinations and adjust based on visible cards. Here’s how it works:

For example, counting KK combinations:

• Base number: 6 combos (K♠K♥, K♠K♦, K♠K♣, K♥K♦, K♥K♣, K♦K♣)
• If you hold one King: Reduces to 3 combos
• If there’s a King on board: Reduces to 3 combos
• If you hold a King and one’s on board: Only 1 combo remains

Pro Tip: Quick pair counting is essential in rushed decisions. Practice removing combinations based on visible cards until it becomes second nature.

Counting Combos of Sets

Set counting follows a different pattern since you need one pair in the hole and one card on the board. Here’s the breakdown:

Starting with a board card like K♥:

• Three remaining Kings can make sets
• Count combos of pairs from the remaining 3 Kings
• Results in 3 possible combinations

For example, on a K♥7♣2♦ board:

• Set of Kings: 3 combos (if no other Kings visible)

Remember that set combinations decrease dramatically when you hold cards of that rank.

Counting Combos of Straights

Straight combinations require careful consideration of both hole cards and board cards. Here’s the approach:

Example: Board shows A♠2♥3♦ For a Four-Five straight:

• 4 Fours × 4 Fives = 16 possible combos
• Subtract any visible Fours or Fives
• Consider whether the straight can be made multiple ways (in this instance, it can’t)

Remember that some straights can be made with different combinations of hole cards, affecting the total number of possible combinations.

Counting Combos of Flushes

Flush combinations involve counting cards of the same suit. Here’s how to approach it:

Example: Three hearts on board (A♥K♥5♥):

• Start with 10 remaining hearts
• Find all two-card combos using these 10 remaining heart cards
• Calculate the total possible combinations (45 in this case)

Key considerations:

• Each visible suited card drastically reduces possibilities
• Position and preflop action narrow likely holdings
• Not all flush combinations are equally likely to be played; for instance, players may prioritize playing suited aces or other strong suited hands preflop, so hands like 7♥6♥ or 4♥3♥ are less likely compared to A♥Q♥ or K♥J♥.

Counting Combos of Full Houses

Full houses combine three of a kind with a pair, making their counting unique. Here’s the process:

Example: Board K♥K♣7♦, counting K7s full:

• Start with remaining Kings (2)
• Multiply by remaining Sevens (3)
• Consider that some combos might be unlikely given preflop action

Pro Tip: Remember that full house combinations often warrant special attention in pot-sized bet situations.

Counting Preflop and Postflop Poker Combos

Understanding how combinations change from preflop to postflop is crucial for developing a winning strategy. Let’s explore both scenarios.

How Preflop Poker Combos Work

Preflop counting is the foundation of solid poker strategy. Here’s what you need to know:

Starting stack of combinations:

• 1,326 total possible starting hands
• 78 combinations of pocket pairs
• 312 combinations of suited hands
• 936 combinations of offsuit hands

Key considerations for preflop counting:

• Position affects playable combinations
• Stack sizes influence hand selection
• Tournament vs. cash game dynamics
• Opponent tendencies and adjustments

Combo Blocking in Preflop Play: Your hole cards can block certain hands your opponents might hold. For example, holding an Ace makes it less likely that they have pocket Aces or Ace-King. This blocking effect helps you narrow down their possible hands, improving your reads.

Remember: Not all players play all combinations from all positions – adjust your counting accordingly.

How Postflop Poker Combos Work

Postflop combination counting becomes more complex but also more precise. Here’s the framework:

Board texture considerations:

• Each board card eliminates combinations
• New drawing possibilities emerge
• Hand strengths become relative
• Ranges narrow based on actions

Example: On a K♠9♥2♦ board:

• Top pair combinations decrease
• Set combinations become defined
• Straight draw possibilities emerge
• Flush draw combinations clarify

Pro Tip: Practice counting both preflop and postflop combinations in real-time during hands to improve decision-making speed.

Where Can Players Practice Combos?

Ready to put your combination counting skills to the test? CoinPoker offers the perfect environment to practice and refine your abilities. Start with these approaches:

1. Low-Stakes Practice: Start at micro-stakes tables, where you can make decisions without high pressure. Take your time to count combinations in each hand and get comfortable with the process. Document any interesting spots you encounter so you can review and learn from them later.
   
2. Tournament Practice: Join our daily tournaments to experience different stack depths and game stages. Late registration can be helpful if you want to focus on post-bubble play specifically. Use these games to experiment with combination-based plays, adapting your approach in various tournament situations.
   
3. Study Tools: Our hand replayer allows you to analyze past hands and learn from your previous decisions. Engage in our community discussions on combination counting to exchange insights with other players, and dive into our strategy articles for more advanced combination concepts.

Sign up now at CoinPoker and transform your theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Remember, mastering combinations takes time – but the reward is a dramatically improved poker game that will serve you well for years to come.

FAQs