Things You'll Need:
- Deck of cards (52 cards)
- Other poker players
- Poker chips (optional)
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Step 1
Put in the necessary chips to play. This could include an ante. Also, if you're in a blind position, you may have to add chips before seeing your hand. Put on your poker face. You should appear as devoid of emotion as possible.
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Step 2
Look at your cards as soon as possible. Check your initial score by following Step 3. At first you will only need to pay attention to your highest card to get an initial value. Then you need to notice how close your two cards are in ranking and if they are suited.
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Step 3
If your highest card is an ace, king, queen or jack, apply one of the following values to your hand. Ace equals 10 points King equals 8 points Queen equals 7 points Jack equals 6 points If your highest card is anything else (2-10), then take that number and divide it by 2. For instance, if your highest card is a 6, then your initial score will be 3. If your highest card is 9, then your initial score is 4.5.
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Step 4
Now take your second card into account. If the two cards have the same suit (both clubs, etc.) then add 2 points to your initial score. So, if you have an ace and another card of the same suit, you will add 2 points to the Ace and come up with a 12 as a score. If the cards are not suited but are the same (pair, two 5s) then multiply your score by 2. The minimum score for a pair is 5, so if you have a pair of 2s, 3s or 4s, your score will be five. If you have a pair of anything above 4s, multiply your score by 2.
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Step 5
Look over the following examples:Ace spades and 5 spades equals 12 points6 of hearts and 6 of spades equals 6 points2 of hearts and 2 of clubs equals 5 points (because of minimum score of 5 for pairs)
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Step 6
Notice how close your cards are in rank if you don't have a pair. If you have connectors, which would be a 9, 10 or an A, K or an 8, 9, etc., then add 1 additional point to your score. If there is a gap of one (A, Q), then subtract a point from your score. If there is a gap of two (A, J), subtract 2 points. For gaps of three (A, 10), subtract 4 points. If there is a gap of four or more cards between your two cards (A, 9. J, 2), subtract 5 points from your score. For example, if you have an Ace of spades and a 7 of spades, your score will be 7. This takes into account that the cards are suited and that there is at least a gap of five between the two.
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Step 7
Tally your final score. Here are some example scores to demonstrate the process:Ace of spades and ace of heart equals 20 points9 hearts and 8 heart equals 7.5 pointsKing hearts and 9 heart equals 6 points
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Step 8
Practice the formula so you can determine what score makes you feel safe enough to play. The Chen Formula doesn't really tell when to raise, only when to call. This is because there are so many other factors to poker, including bluffing and position playing. Step 9 will give you a general idea of what to do with certain scores.
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Step 9
Figure out what to do depending on your seating position. If you are in early position and have a 9 or higher, raise. If you have a score of 8 or higher, call. If your score is less than 8, fold. If you are in a middle position and have a score of 9 or higher, raise or call. If your score is 7 or higher, call. If your score is lower than 7, fold. If you are in a late position and your score is 9 or higher, raise or call. If your score is 6 or higher, call. If your score is lower than 6, fold.
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Step 10
Practice the formula and poker. Understand that any one formula cannot ensure victory. A pair of aces could seem like the best starting hand, but if a pair of 2s comes up on the board and someone has a 2 in their hand, you are beat. Remember that practice makes perfect.
