Updated on May 26, 2025
Domination in poker This concept arises when one player possesses a markedly superior hand compared to their opponent. Typically, if a player's hand depends on a small number of outs to secure a win against another hand, it can be seen as dominated.
Grasping the idea of dominance is vital for making sound strategic choices, particularly in preflop situations.
Clear Examples of Dominated Hands
|
Dominant Hand |
Dominated Hand |
Equity Difference |
Notes |
|
AK |
AQ |
70% vs 30% |
AK dominates AQ when an A or K flops |
|
KQ |
KJ |
70% vs 30% |
When a King appears on the flop, a hand like King-Queen is in a dominant position. |
|
99 |
88 |
80% vs 20% |
88 has only two outs to win |
|
JJ |
JT |
90% vs 10% |
A hand like Jack-Ten is well and truly dominated, as hitting a Ten won't improve it. |
Explanation of Domination
In Texas Hold’em Consider a scenario where we think about making a call before the flop. 4bet with KQs. Our opponent's range is QQ+/AK.
In this instance, our hand can be viewed as largely dominated. Unless luck is on our side, the best hand we might hit is a single pair—either Queens or Kings—whenever we land such a hand. However, it is very likely that our opponent has a superior pair, meaning they have us dominated.
If we flush a Queen, there's a chance that they hold a pair of Kings or Aces. If we land a King, they could have Kings or Ace-King. We are not consistently behind; sometimes, the villain may hold Queens when we hit a King.
In this particular example, the chances of domination are considerably high. A situation known as reverse domination takes place when a hand that is weaker preflop somehow ends up making the superior hand by forming two pairs.
For example:
- Hand 1: A♠️K♥️
- Hand 2: A♣️Q♥️
- Flop: A♦️Q♣️5♠️
Initially, Hand 1 was regarded as the strongest preflop contender, yet the weaker Ace-Queen surprisingly achieved two pairs to take the lead. As such, the Ace-King is considered to be \"reverse-dominated".
Other instances of significantly dominated hands include any frail drawing hands, such as weak flush draws, the lower end of a straight draw, or other types of draws. board texture that already contains a pair.
Example of Domination in a situation: (Hold'em) I hesitated to call the preflop four-bet with King-Queen offsuit because it is susceptible to domination problems.
Domination Poker Strategy
The impact of domination can vary widely, influenced by the context. Generally, in situations with shallow stacks, domination poses less of an issue, while in the case of deeper stacks, it can create significant problems.
When deep-stacked, domination often means facing considerable reverse implied odds. implied odds .
Newer players often struggle with the challenge of overplaying dominated draws, typically after misunderstanding the concept. pot odds .
Let’s examine a scenario in No-Limit Hold'em:
- Board: T♥️8♠️5♥️5♠️
- Hand: 6♥️7♥️
Picture us being in a tough position on the turn, responding to a half-pot bet from our opponent, while both players have fairly substantial stacks.
Do we call or fold?
Naturally, the decision hinges on numerous factors we need to consider, but let’s concentrate on our cards.
We’ve figured out we have fifteen outs to complete either a straight or a flush by the river, which gives us roughly a 30% chance of doing so. According to our pot odds, we only need to hit a bit over 25% of the time, but there is a significant complication here:
All of our potential outs could be compromised (these are sometimes referred to as 'tainted outs').
There's a possibility we could already be drawing dead against our opponent's hand. full house Even if we do hit our draw by the river, we still have to worry about the risk of losing when our opponent bets with a better hand, creating reverse implied odds. poker chips value Even when we believe we're getting the 'right price' according to a basic pot odds calculation, we must secure a more favorable price to make our call sound due to the presence of reverse implied odds on the river.
The decision in this scenario relies heavily on the specific details presented. However, it’s not an automatic call, and we need to move forward with an abundant degree of caution.
Of course, whether we should fold the poker hand Here’s another instance of a potentially dominated draw:
Dominated Poker Draw
We must refrain from assuming we have eight clean outs. There is a possibility a higher straight could be out there, which could mean we already have no hope. If we hit one of our outs, say a Nine, then any Ten could dominate us with the higher straight.
- Board: 6♠️7♣️8♣️
- Hand: A♥️5♥️
While it's true that we hold an open-ended straight draw Additionally, take note that some of our straight outs are clubs, which allows our opponent the opportunity to complete a flush while we’re trying for the straight.
Even if we end up with a good straight on the turn, our opponent may still possess redraw opportunities to form a flush or an even higher straight by the river.
Which hands tend to be the most vulnerable in domination scenarios in poker?
Domination in Poker – FAQ
Stronger hands such as King-Queen, Ace-Queen, and Ace-King often dominate mid-range hands like King-Jack, Queen-Jack, and Ace-Jack. These hands generally fare poorly against typical raising ranges.
What makes domination particularly perilous in deep-stacked poker?
In deep-stacked situations, dominated hands can encounter substantial reverse implied odds. You might manage to hit your top pair, only to risk a large pot against an opponent having the same top pair but with a superior kicker.
How can I steer clear of playing dominated hands?
To avoid this, focus on your position, preflop actions, and the tendencies of your opponents. Be more selective with your calling ranges when facing early position raises or against players who seldom bluff.
Use GTO poker Can dominated hands still yield profits?
Yes, dominated hands can indeed be profitable under certain conditions, such as when you play in position, engage in multiway pots, or have shallow stack sizes. They also hold potential value when creating two pairs or stronger hands.
Additionally, assess how many combinations within that range overshadow your hand. The higher the percentage, the more careful you should act.
How do I calculate domination risk?
Look at your opponent's likely poker hand range Frederico, a passionate poker enthusiast and player, regularly contributes intriguing content about the game to our blog, including strategic insights, helpful tips, news, and other interesting topics at 888Poker.
Originally published on November 22, 2018
See Also
Implied odds , Reverse implied odds , Straight , Flush , Hand Rankings , Pair , Two pair , Drawing dead , Draw , Board , Pot odds