You hold:

in the big blind and get a free play against 3-4 opponents.

Flop:

• How should this “trash” hand be played?
• Is it correct to bet in order to stop free cards from beating you?
• Or is this a check-and-fold situation?

Answer: It is a close decision between betting, checking and calling, and checking and folding. If your kicker is good – that is, if it is above a queen – a bet certainly would be correct. But if you do bet, don’t bet again unless you improve. If you don’t improve, be prepared to throw your hand away on the fourth street.

Now suppose the flop is the same as before, but you hold:

How should this hand be played? Since you can now beat all middle pairs, you should bet on the flop and, if you are not raised, bet again on the fourth street. However, if the hand goes to the river, depending upon your opponent and exactly what the board looks like, it may be best to check. In addition, if you are raised on the turn, usually throw the hand away.

Next, suppose the flop is the same as before, but it also includes two suited cards. Now 1010 should be played differently. If the pot is short-handed, usually bet. If several players are in, bet only if one of your tens is of the appropriate suit; otherwise, it is best to check. Incidentally, one reason you want to be holding a ten of the appropriate suit is that you don’t want to be in the position of making trips when one of your opponents makes a flush. There is an exception to the above advice. If you are against several players who will play any ace, check and fold any pair below aces if an ace flops, unless the pot odds justify chasing.