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Just for the record, all this is arguable, and there is no "correct answer". It depends on your game, style, etc. The 19 hands were designed to keep newbies out of trouble. I play them because I believe in them and they work for me. Plus I know how to play each of the 19 hands for maximum positive effect and minimum negative effect.
To answer your question. KT loses to KJ. That may sound like a smartass answer, but it isn't. I consider KJ the worst of the 19 starting hands. Here's why:
First, I won't play either in a raise pot preflop. People will raise preflop with AJ, AQ, AK, and KQ - especially at micro-NL. So, I'm folding KJ and KQ and JQ in raised hands. That keeps me from playing KQ (where I hit TP) against AK and AQ. I don't play QJ in a raise pot preflop, that keeps me from playing QJ (where I hit TP) against AQ and AJ, and KQ. See how that works. I ask "what do people TYPICALLY raise preflop with - or even call a raise preflop with?" Pocket TT or better KQ at the worst or Ace/face. I don't KNOW if they have any of those, but why get involved if I can't play confidently When I Hit?
2. People limp all kinds of crap, like KT, K9, Suited K anything, TJ, TQ, AT to suited Ace/trash. So If I hit KJ, KQ, QJ as Top Pair and I'm playing against someone else who also hit top pair then I'm winning 90% of the time. KJ is susceptible to KQ (which many people limp). That's why I'm not overly jazzed about KJ - but I include it because it wins more against KT or lower than it loses to KQ. The rule is to play it carefully and don't call overly large bets and raises. Play it for value (KJ that is).
3. Raising vs Calling. The 19 hands are based on Performance Poker Rules. The rules that aren't stated here are table selection (45% or higher preflop callers and 20xBB average pot size). If you're using that selection criteria for the tables you play, then raising in late position with these hands WILL NOT thin the field sufficiently, if at all, unless you raise so much that the other players just can't call you and you take the pot right there. In short, with 45% or higher seeing the flop and 20x or greater average pot size, you're going to have to win WITH CARDS the vast majority of the time. This is a table where people don't fold easily, if at all. That's good, you're getting PAID when you win. But you have to win. Hence the 19 hands. They are winners against typical players.
Now, as you implied, TPTK isn't a great hand against alot of preflop limpers. You're right! That's why postflop play is important too. Also, as a quick note, let's say you're playing KQ late and there are 4 limpers (plus the BB has a tendency to stick around) so you raise KQ 3xBB, who is going to call you? Pocket pairs and people who love getting lucky with drawing hands. They know what you have - AK AQ or a big pocket pair (that's the obvious assumption). So if you hit a King or Queen on the flop, they're done. They don't know your kicker isn't as high as they thought, but it won't matter. If the flop is faceless then you have position - which is good - and you have the initiative, but if you're playing someone who is putting you on AQ or AK and has a pocket pair (and they have a clue) here's what happens. Flop is faceless, PP checks, you make a continuation bet, he raises (probably just doubling your bet) to put you to the test. Either you have to dance with the dragon and RERAISE, or you call (which is THE #1 declaration that you have AK/AQ). So now he knows. Turn is a blank, he bets fairly strong, you fold. Done. You wasted a preflop raise, a continuation bet, AND a call. Alternately, you limp with it, hit it, pocket pair folds and you're playing KTs who thinks he's good so he check/calls your bets all the way through the river.
I hope this helps. Again, there's alot that is included in Performance Poker - which is a specific style of poker for specific situation (much like Counter-Play) - that isn't included in each post about some aspect of it.
I know I need to finish the book. I've made nooo progress in the last few months. New job, new house, kids in school, blah, blah, blah.
Good luck. The main aspect of Performance Poker, however, is to CREATE YOUR OWN GAME. Know exactly why and how you do everythign you do, examine, record, revise, review, become obsessed and curious, etc. etc. (Damn I need to finish the book - it's really good.)
see ya.
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