Experienced poker players know that any hand, no matter how powerful, can be beat. We’ve all seen Aces cracked again and again. So beware — don’t fall in love with your hand! That’s bad poker strategy!

Every poker player feels a rush of excitement when dealt a good starter hand like pocket Jacks or AK. These hands are very hard to lay down, yet often will just cost you chips instead of bringing in a profit. In no-limit, you can bet out big in early position and may scare out other players. But in limit poker, you can’t, and there are always players who want to see the flop even if you raise to the limit.

Once the flop comes, read the board to see what is the best hand possible that can be made when the turn and the river cards are revealed. If there are low suited or straightening cards on board, your seemingly powerful hand might be worthless, especially if there is betting.

A rainbow board with no straight in sight could still be playable. But beware the stealth trap set by a player with a small pocket pair who has hit a set. This is where observance of other players’ betting patterns is crucial to winning or losing. A small bet might warrant your call to see the turn, but a big bet means you’re probably beat since there’s nothing on the board to connect with your hand.

Toss your hand into the muck with no regret. You’ll get those cards another time and perhaps with a better opportunity to win with them.