My last column looked at how to play the nuts in Limit Hold'em. This article looks at situations on the other side of the spectrum – your trash hands.

Playing the nuts is relatively easy since you are simply looking to maximize the value of your hand. However, there are many situations where you flop absolutely nothing. This doesn't necessarily mean that you should be giving up your hand on the flop. Advanced players are always looking for situations where they might be able to steal the pot with a bet given the correct pot odds to try and do so.

I define a trash hand as a hand that has no pairs, no straight or flush draws, and does not have two overcards. For example A ♣ 7 ♣ , 7 ♥ 4 ♥ , or K ♠ 8 ♦ with a Q ♦ T ♥ 5 ♠ flop. The only time when trash hands are playable is when you are against one or two opponents and you believe a bluff can be successful. Sometimes ace high is the best hand, which might even justify a bet.

Let's look at some situations of when playing trash hands might be profitable. As usual, when you are the preflop raiser against one or two opponents, you should generally make a continuation bet hoping to steal the pot.

Sometimes you get a good bluffing opportunity playing out of the blinds with an all rag flop, or when there is a rainbow flop with only one high card. For example, you are in the big blind with an 8-6-4 flop against two early position callers. Betting out might win the pot, as it is unlikely this flop helped your opponents.

Another example is with a Q-5-3 flop and you are in early position with A-T. You might bet out into one or two opponents representing a pair of queens hoping that they fold. When the flop has possible flush or straight draws or two high cards, be less inclined to make these types of bluffs, as it is more likely that your opponents either have a hand or have a draw. The exception to this is when you are acting last and both of your opponents have checked. In this case, bluffing may be successful since your opponents have indicated weakness and they might suspect that you were the one helped by the flop.

There are many different scenarios when bluffs might work, but be careful in playing these trash hands. Remember, bluffing is less profitable when you don't have many outs to improve your hand should you be called. Also, bluffs against three or more opponents are rarely profitable with these types of hands.

Here are a few hands to evaluate taken from my book, Internet Texas Hold'em . Be sure to cover the answers and see if you agree with my recommended strategies.

1/ $20-$40. You hold 6 ♦ 3 ♠ in the big blind. Everyone folds to the button who decides to just limp in. The small blind calls and three players see the flop of J ♥ 4 ♦ 2 ♥. T he small blind checks. There is $60 in the pot. What do you do?

Answer: By definition, this really isn't a trash hand since you have a gut-shot draw, but 6-3 isn't exactly a stellar hand either without a pair. However, even if an opponent calls, you might win even with another 6 so you probably have seven outs. The small blind has checked, so you probably only have to beat the button player who limped in. The jack gives you a scare card and makes it less likely that your opponents hold overcards. The small pot also gives your opponents incentive to fold. Go ahead and bet to try and win the pot. Bet.

In the actual hand, the player bet and his opponents folded.

2/ $20-$40. You hold 8 ♦ 4 ♠ in the big blind. An early player and the small blind call. Three players see the flop of 6 ♥ 3 ♣ 3 ♠ . The small blind checks. There is $60 in the pot. What do you do?

Answer: This flop does not have a high card to protect against your opponents playing overcards; however, the low pair on the flop provides this protection. A rainbow flop protects you against opponents on a flush draw. Bet the flop and if only the early player calls, go ahead and bet the turn on any card. Bet.

In the actual hand, the player bet and only the early player called. The turn was the 2 ♥ and his opponent folded.

3/ $20-$40. You hold 5 ♦ 2 ♣ in the big blind. An early, middle, and late player call. The small blind calls and five players see the flop of Q ♥ 6 ♣ 3 ♠ . The small blind checks. There is $100 in the pot. What do you do?

Answer: You actually have four outs to the straight draw, which gives you some value to the hand; however, you are against four opponents and three have not yet acted. A queen is a likely card for three opponents who did not raise preflop. It would be very difficult to get all of your opponents to fold this flop. You should check and only call if several opponents play the flop to justify the odds for your draw. Check and fold if three opponents do not play the flop.

In the actual hand, the player checked, the button bet, and the small blind raised. Both showed a pair of queens on the river.