There is an essential difference between limit and no-limit Texas hold'em. The difference is based on the position you have at the playing table and on the value of the hands. When you are playing no-limit hold'em you will find that position is much more important than in the limit games. The explanation is quite simple actually because there is no limit so more money are involved and the goals you set depend on your position and they will have a bigger impact on you bankroll. If somehow you manage to get someone into a position trap you will here have a change to get that person's entire stack, not only a few more bets like in Limit hold'em.
In no-limit poker the big connectors are not to be played because they have a much lesser value overall: they can cause you to win but just small amounts of money and they can also cause you to lose greatly. If we are talking pairs, they increase their value consistently in no-limit Texas hold'em. They give you the opportunity to trap someone (especially the big pairs) and they can get you the entire bankroll of those persons or simply double the value of the pot over a betting round.
When playing no-limit you must before all keep an efficient list of all money spent by you and your opponents. Variations in the stack affect the whole hand and you must be aware of that. So pay attention to all amounts of money players have on the table and to the pot size at all times. The game here is about leaving the others with no money on the table not just about winning small pots and hands.
Let's take an example to better demonstrate how and why important the amount of money each player has on the table is so important.
Let's just say you have now $250 and another player has $25. You are playing a game with blinds of $1-$2. Your position is the small blind and the cards you have are QJ suited. Your opponent is in first position and he goes all-in. All other players consider the risk and decide to fold, as strategy requires in this case. Now, you are faced with a problem: to call and risk $24 for his $25 bet or to simply fold like the situation requires. Betting for that kind of money the almost exact amount is an unnecessary risk you should not take. If however your opponent would have an amount of $250 just like you have, then the risk can be acceptable as you were going to risk the money for 10 times their value.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Ultimate Texas Hold'em Tells
Being able to distinguish the Cards of a player would help you to save you're chips stack when you have a bad hand and win you the pot when you have a good hand. Of course, you can't see what cards you're opponents have. The only thing you have is there facial and body expressions.
The tells of a player range from what they do to how they act. You have to look at what you're opponents are doing AT ALL TIMES. Pay attention to there every move and look for the following signs which will help you win every Texas hold'em game. Read the following 5 tips very carefully and please print it out as a reference.
1. The way the a player arranges his chips is one of the main signs you have to look for. This is a tell that can help you identify and classify you're opponents before the game begins.
Now the secret is whether or not the player keeps there pile of chips neat or messy. If the player keeps there pile neat, 9 times out of 10 that is a tight player. This means that they will not bluff often and you have to expect that they call with strong hands. If they have a messy pile of chips, you know that they that is a loose player and you can be sure that they will be bluffing and playing rambunctiously.
2. The way a player places the chips from his stack to the pot is a sure tell. If the player throws his chips in nervously, they spill over, and he cleans them up he is bluffing. The fact that he cleans them up means that he is trying to cover it up. He wants to make sure you wont call so that he can win the pot. This means that you should call because you are competing against a weak hand.
3. Another tell hat is amazingly obvious but not understood by many as the way someone will pay is the way they buy chips. If a person yells to the dealer that he wants chips and he openly waves his money and is very showy with his money, he is a loose aggressive player. If the player is quiet and asks for chips politely, you have a conservative tight player.
4. This is an audible tell. This one you have to listen to carefully because it is not easy to spot since it's a noise a player makes. When a player makes a sad sound like a sigh or a tisk sound, they are obviously bluffing. Make sure not to bet because they, most likely, have a strong hand. When a player sees the flop and makes that sad "tisk" sound, it means they completed a good hand, they are trying to cover up there happiness.
5. The final tip of the day has to do with the flop. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP; DON'T LOOK AT THE FLOP WHEN IT COMES!
What you want to do is look at the players reactions to the flop. If a player looks away from the flop, they have a good hand because they are trying to keep from looking like they have a good hand. They want to seem uninterested. The players who stare at the flop have a weak hand.
These are some top secret poker tells that you can use to help you win. I hope you enjoyed these tips and I hope you will read my other poker tips articles.
The tells of a player range from what they do to how they act. You have to look at what you're opponents are doing AT ALL TIMES. Pay attention to there every move and look for the following signs which will help you win every Texas hold'em game. Read the following 5 tips very carefully and please print it out as a reference.
1. The way the a player arranges his chips is one of the main signs you have to look for. This is a tell that can help you identify and classify you're opponents before the game begins.
Now the secret is whether or not the player keeps there pile of chips neat or messy. If the player keeps there pile neat, 9 times out of 10 that is a tight player. This means that they will not bluff often and you have to expect that they call with strong hands. If they have a messy pile of chips, you know that they that is a loose player and you can be sure that they will be bluffing and playing rambunctiously.
2. The way a player places the chips from his stack to the pot is a sure tell. If the player throws his chips in nervously, they spill over, and he cleans them up he is bluffing. The fact that he cleans them up means that he is trying to cover it up. He wants to make sure you wont call so that he can win the pot. This means that you should call because you are competing against a weak hand.
3. Another tell hat is amazingly obvious but not understood by many as the way someone will pay is the way they buy chips. If a person yells to the dealer that he wants chips and he openly waves his money and is very showy with his money, he is a loose aggressive player. If the player is quiet and asks for chips politely, you have a conservative tight player.
4. This is an audible tell. This one you have to listen to carefully because it is not easy to spot since it's a noise a player makes. When a player makes a sad sound like a sigh or a tisk sound, they are obviously bluffing. Make sure not to bet because they, most likely, have a strong hand. When a player sees the flop and makes that sad "tisk" sound, it means they completed a good hand, they are trying to cover up there happiness.
5. The final tip of the day has to do with the flop. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP; DON'T LOOK AT THE FLOP WHEN IT COMES!
What you want to do is look at the players reactions to the flop. If a player looks away from the flop, they have a good hand because they are trying to keep from looking like they have a good hand. They want to seem uninterested. The players who stare at the flop have a weak hand.
These are some top secret poker tells that you can use to help you win. I hope you enjoyed these tips and I hope you will read my other poker tips articles.
Probability in Poker
Here is a simple trick for deciding if you should draw or not in Texas Hold’em Poker. The first thing you need to do is to figure out how many "outs" you have. An "out" is any card that gives you a made hand. Simply count the number of cards available that give the hand you are drawing to. For example: suppose you hold AD 8D and the flop comes QH 9D 4D. You have a possible flush draw. There are more thirteen diamonds in the deck and you are looking at four of them now, the two in your hand, and the two on the community board. That leaves nine diamonds left in the deck, and two chances to hit one.
The trick to figuring out the approximate % chance of getting the flush is to multiply your outs times the number of chances to hit it. In this situation that would be nine outs multiplied by two chances, or eighteen. Then take that number, multiply it by times two, and add a percentage sign. The approximate % of the time you will make the flush is 36%. (The exact percentage is 34.97%, pretty close heh!)
Now let's say for example that on that same flop you hold the Jd Th. In this case you would have an open ended straight draw with eight outs to hit the straight (four Eights and four Kings). Eight outs with two cards to come will give you sixteen outs. Multiply by times two and you will hit the straight approximately 32% (31.46% exactly) of the time.
A very important thing remember is that the % stated is NOT the percentage of time that you will win the hand, merely it's only the percentage of the times that you will hit the hand you are drawing to. You may get your hand and still lose. But still, knowing the approximate likelihood of making your hand is a good starting step on the road to being a better poker player.
The trick to figuring out the approximate % chance of getting the flush is to multiply your outs times the number of chances to hit it. In this situation that would be nine outs multiplied by two chances, or eighteen. Then take that number, multiply it by times two, and add a percentage sign. The approximate % of the time you will make the flush is 36%. (The exact percentage is 34.97%, pretty close heh!)
Now let's say for example that on that same flop you hold the Jd Th. In this case you would have an open ended straight draw with eight outs to hit the straight (four Eights and four Kings). Eight outs with two cards to come will give you sixteen outs. Multiply by times two and you will hit the straight approximately 32% (31.46% exactly) of the time.
A very important thing remember is that the % stated is NOT the percentage of time that you will win the hand, merely it's only the percentage of the times that you will hit the hand you are drawing to. You may get your hand and still lose. But still, knowing the approximate likelihood of making your hand is a good starting step on the road to being a better poker player.
Texas Hold’em poker position
Texas Hold’em poker position is a term that indicates the place of the player on the poker table. In no other game is the player's position as important as in Texas Hold'em poker. Basically, it is best to be in the late position, so you can see the other player's bets and play actions. This allows you to gather information from the other players. Some hands are better against more players and others against fewer opponents. Seeing what the other players are doing is a big advantage for you. The lack of information can cost you chips.
The early position indicates players seated in the three seats to the left of the dealer. This is the least preferred position in the game. There are many players left to act, so you lack information. Only play the best starting hands in these positions.
The middle position refers to the players seated after early position players and before late position players. This is a good place to play small pairs against many opponents. You hope to hit three of a kind and win a big pot. Remember, the odds are about 8 to 1 to hit the trips, so fold if the flop doesn’t give you trips, or a straight or flush draw.
The late positions are the dealer and the two players to his right. This is the most preferred position in Texas Hold’em poker. The dealer is the best position because everyone has acted and you have the most information. If someone bets or raises from first or middle position, then you must credit them for a good hand and play strong hands against them. You can play many hands in late position if no raise has played, and suited connectors are a good hand to play against many opponents here.
Reasons why it’s better to be in late position:
The earlier your position is the larger risk you have when you call before the flop. This is because there is a bigger chance you will get raises from other players. If you know about the raises, as players in late position know, you have the option not to call, and can prevent the mistake made from early position. In early position players sometimes call instead of fold. Let's say you are in early position and call $5. After you call, two more players raise. If you had known they were going to raise you probably would have folded and your $5 would have been saved. The same goes for the opposite option, when you fold instead of calling. If you would have known that no raises would have come, then you might have played your hand.
For lower hands, you can lessen the number of unwanted bets made if you are in the late positions. This is because if you check first then your opponents will bet almost definitely because they will know you have a bad hand. But if they are in early position and they check, then you can also check their bet. You know how many callers there are in late position. Sometimes playing a hand is determined by the number of callers on the table. When you are in early position you cannot know that number. Playing Texas Hold'em poker for a long time will give you the skill to recognize what the number of callers means to your hand and next play action.
In late position you have more information about the other player's starting hands, and can better decide what to do with your hand according to the previous playing moves. If everyone calls and no one raises, then you have the option of raising and trying to steal others bets or just calling or checking to get another card to better your hand.
Texas Hold’em poker position is most important for higher stake games. If you are playing games with no-limit or a large limit such as $100, the importance of the position is larger because every raise and bet is a lot of money. It is better to be in a later position in Texas Hold'em poker, but more important is to know the advantages of a later position, so you can utilize the position better.
Remember, the later the position, the more information that you have and can use. If you ignore the information, then you will lose over the course of time.
The early position indicates players seated in the three seats to the left of the dealer. This is the least preferred position in the game. There are many players left to act, so you lack information. Only play the best starting hands in these positions.
The middle position refers to the players seated after early position players and before late position players. This is a good place to play small pairs against many opponents. You hope to hit three of a kind and win a big pot. Remember, the odds are about 8 to 1 to hit the trips, so fold if the flop doesn’t give you trips, or a straight or flush draw.
The late positions are the dealer and the two players to his right. This is the most preferred position in Texas Hold’em poker. The dealer is the best position because everyone has acted and you have the most information. If someone bets or raises from first or middle position, then you must credit them for a good hand and play strong hands against them. You can play many hands in late position if no raise has played, and suited connectors are a good hand to play against many opponents here.
Reasons why it’s better to be in late position:
The earlier your position is the larger risk you have when you call before the flop. This is because there is a bigger chance you will get raises from other players. If you know about the raises, as players in late position know, you have the option not to call, and can prevent the mistake made from early position. In early position players sometimes call instead of fold. Let's say you are in early position and call $5. After you call, two more players raise. If you had known they were going to raise you probably would have folded and your $5 would have been saved. The same goes for the opposite option, when you fold instead of calling. If you would have known that no raises would have come, then you might have played your hand.
For lower hands, you can lessen the number of unwanted bets made if you are in the late positions. This is because if you check first then your opponents will bet almost definitely because they will know you have a bad hand. But if they are in early position and they check, then you can also check their bet. You know how many callers there are in late position. Sometimes playing a hand is determined by the number of callers on the table. When you are in early position you cannot know that number. Playing Texas Hold'em poker for a long time will give you the skill to recognize what the number of callers means to your hand and next play action.
In late position you have more information about the other player's starting hands, and can better decide what to do with your hand according to the previous playing moves. If everyone calls and no one raises, then you have the option of raising and trying to steal others bets or just calling or checking to get another card to better your hand.
Texas Hold’em poker position is most important for higher stake games. If you are playing games with no-limit or a large limit such as $100, the importance of the position is larger because every raise and bet is a lot of money. It is better to be in a later position in Texas Hold'em poker, but more important is to know the advantages of a later position, so you can utilize the position better.
Remember, the later the position, the more information that you have and can use. If you ignore the information, then you will lose over the course of time.
Easy Lesson in Calculating Outs and Pot Odds
Calculating outs (the number of cards that could improve your hand) and pot odds (ratio of the money in the pot versus the amount required to make your next call) is often used as a basis for a Texas Holdem Poker player on whether to draw and try to make their hand.
However this in my opinion should not be the sole basis of your decision on whether you should draw for another card. You also have to decide on whether the hand that you are trying to hit will win you the pot or not.
How to calculate pot odds:
In this example, if the current pot contains $80, and the amount required at the next call is $20, the pot is laying you odds of $80 to $20 or 4 to 1.
As long as your odds of making the best hand are 4 to 1 or better than making the call is the right move. A hand that is 4 to 1 means that you will hit once in every 5 tries. You will hit the draw 20 percent of the time.
This next example takes into account calculating pot odds and outs.
Assume that your hole cards are a six and a seven (for this example suits do not matter) and the flop came down 8-9-3. In order to complete your hand you need a 5 or 10. You have eight outs - 4-5's and 4-10's. Multiply your outs (8) by 4 and you get 32. You have a 32 percent chance of making your hand. If there was only one card left to draw you would multiply by two.
A 32 percent chance of making your hand means you have a 68 percent chance of NOT making your hand. This is roughly 2 to 1 that you won't make the hand. So, as long as the pot contains $2 for every $1 that you have to call, it is worth going after your straight.
Doing these quick calculations and interpreting them can be very difficult and confusing for a beginner (and many advanced players as well!). But I would recommend that you at least be able to quickly calculate your outs to give you an idea of just how likely you are to make your hand. Then decide if that hand will win the pot for you or not.
However this in my opinion should not be the sole basis of your decision on whether you should draw for another card. You also have to decide on whether the hand that you are trying to hit will win you the pot or not.
How to calculate pot odds:
In this example, if the current pot contains $80, and the amount required at the next call is $20, the pot is laying you odds of $80 to $20 or 4 to 1.
As long as your odds of making the best hand are 4 to 1 or better than making the call is the right move. A hand that is 4 to 1 means that you will hit once in every 5 tries. You will hit the draw 20 percent of the time.
This next example takes into account calculating pot odds and outs.
Assume that your hole cards are a six and a seven (for this example suits do not matter) and the flop came down 8-9-3. In order to complete your hand you need a 5 or 10. You have eight outs - 4-5's and 4-10's. Multiply your outs (8) by 4 and you get 32. You have a 32 percent chance of making your hand. If there was only one card left to draw you would multiply by two.
A 32 percent chance of making your hand means you have a 68 percent chance of NOT making your hand. This is roughly 2 to 1 that you won't make the hand. So, as long as the pot contains $2 for every $1 that you have to call, it is worth going after your straight.
Doing these quick calculations and interpreting them can be very difficult and confusing for a beginner (and many advanced players as well!). But I would recommend that you at least be able to quickly calculate your outs to give you an idea of just how likely you are to make your hand. Then decide if that hand will win the pot for you or not.
5 Poker Strategies For Heads Up Play
You've finally made it, you've dodged some scary all ins, caught a couple of breaks and now you are sitting at the final table playing heads up poker. Once the joy of making the final table has subsided you will have to get down to business and stake out your opponent. Hopefully by now you have got a good read on the player, their tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. However, it may be important to know that poker players often switch modes when it comes down to heads up play. A poker players heads up play may be completely different than their regular play. Here are some tips to help you improve your heads up Texas Hold'em poker strategy.
Tip#1 - An Ace in the Hole
The #1 rule of heads up poker play is that when you have an ace as a hole card you will usually be in a dominant position pre flop. You should then raise/re-raise strong to see what the opponent's reaction will be. Often times an opponent will fold (depending on the specific style of the poker player) for fear of the ace or a pocket pair. Sometimes you may get called but remember, in heads up poker players have a tendency to make loose calls. Odds are you will still be in a dominant position.
Tip #2 - Lower Your Expectations
While playing heads up Texas Hold'em poker, chances are that you cannot afford to wait on a good hand. A quality hand in heads up poker is not the same as when playing with a bigger group. You may have to settle with J-6 offsuit and just see what happens. The odds are that many times your opponent will have a bad looking hand as well.
Tip #3 - Try To Pick Up A Betting Pattern
Many poker players have an extremely difficult time playing heads up. Some collapse under the pressure and others become painstakingly obvious in how they bet in heads up. Make sure you keep an eye on your opponents betting habits. Every now and then you may want to call a hand that you know your probably beat in just to see what the opponent has. If you can pick up an opponents betting habits it's almost as if they are showing you their hands.
Tip #4 - Mix Up Your Play
Even if you are not getting the best of cards you must always try to mix up your play to throw your opponent off your scent. Raise with 9-4 suited. Call with A-3 offsuit. This way your opponent cannot pick up a good betting pattern from you. Many poker players are not great when it comes to heads up play. By throwing your opponent off your scent it possible that he/she will be enticed into making a careless all-in call. All it takes is one big mistake in heads up play and you'll have your opponent right where you want them.
Tip #5 - Don't Over Do the "All-In" Call
Please do not go over board going all-in. This is like leaving your hand up to fate. There is some luck involved in poker but you don't want to just get by on being lucky. Besides, doing this is a clear give away that you may be less advanced and a veteran will wait for their chance and bury you. Mix up your play, raises, calls and folds, and in the end the better player usually wins out.
Tip#1 - An Ace in the Hole
The #1 rule of heads up poker play is that when you have an ace as a hole card you will usually be in a dominant position pre flop. You should then raise/re-raise strong to see what the opponent's reaction will be. Often times an opponent will fold (depending on the specific style of the poker player) for fear of the ace or a pocket pair. Sometimes you may get called but remember, in heads up poker players have a tendency to make loose calls. Odds are you will still be in a dominant position.
Tip #2 - Lower Your Expectations
While playing heads up Texas Hold'em poker, chances are that you cannot afford to wait on a good hand. A quality hand in heads up poker is not the same as when playing with a bigger group. You may have to settle with J-6 offsuit and just see what happens. The odds are that many times your opponent will have a bad looking hand as well.
Tip #3 - Try To Pick Up A Betting Pattern
Many poker players have an extremely difficult time playing heads up. Some collapse under the pressure and others become painstakingly obvious in how they bet in heads up. Make sure you keep an eye on your opponents betting habits. Every now and then you may want to call a hand that you know your probably beat in just to see what the opponent has. If you can pick up an opponents betting habits it's almost as if they are showing you their hands.
Tip #4 - Mix Up Your Play
Even if you are not getting the best of cards you must always try to mix up your play to throw your opponent off your scent. Raise with 9-4 suited. Call with A-3 offsuit. This way your opponent cannot pick up a good betting pattern from you. Many poker players are not great when it comes to heads up play. By throwing your opponent off your scent it possible that he/she will be enticed into making a careless all-in call. All it takes is one big mistake in heads up play and you'll have your opponent right where you want them.
Tip #5 - Don't Over Do the "All-In" Call
Please do not go over board going all-in. This is like leaving your hand up to fate. There is some luck involved in poker but you don't want to just get by on being lucky. Besides, doing this is a clear give away that you may be less advanced and a veteran will wait for their chance and bury you. Mix up your play, raises, calls and folds, and in the end the better player usually wins out.
Introduction To Poker Slang
If you're new to the world of poker, you want to play desperately but you don't want to look too "green" then you should probably brush up on some poker terminology. You don't have to learn how to speak a new language to look like a pro because learning just a few terms can make a few fear you at the table!
Some of the most common terms like trips, quads or ole one eye are pretty obvious pointing to three of a kind, four of a kind and the notorious one eyed jack. When you're looking to impress some avid poker players, brushing up on a few terms that aren't so common will do the trick.
Let's look at a few hands you may have and the correct terminology of portraying a big boy at the table. After all, the last thing you want to say when you see two aces in your hand is, "I have a pair" so let's look at the terminology for pairs.
A-A= these are called "Pocket Rockets"
K-K= these are called "Cowboys" or "Elvis Presley's" and some times "Penn & Teller"
Q-Q= often called "The Twins", "The Ladies", "The Hilton's" or "The Dirty Duo"
J-J = sometimes Jacks are called "Jokers", "Hooks" or "Jerky Joe's"
These valued cards often have some wacky names and it may seem hard to keep up with some of them but you'll soon realize that's not so bad compared to some others. For instance, take a look at the slang on these babies.
2-2= "Ducks" or "Deuces"
3-3= "Prom Night" or "Crabs"
6-9= "Top or Bottom", "Delight" and "Big Lick"
K-J= "KoJak"
A-J= "Apple Jacks" or "Apple Fritter"
The terminology listed above can help you but only to an extent.
To be seriously efficient in a poker game, learn a few other terms to show that you are experienced and you mean business, everyone bluff's sometimes. These terms are usually used in context when referring to a stage of play.
What is the flop?
The flop as it's called is actually the first stage of play involving the community cards when the first three are laid upon the table in any type of "Holdem" style of poker. There are several ways the word flop is used and if you've watched televised poker play, it can be confusing.
What does it mean when someone says:
"He's seeing the flop"= generally speaking this means that "he" the player will stay in the game, stay in the pot or the ante until "he" sees the first three cards-the flop.
"He's hitting the flop"= this is a phrase that any poker player loves to hear and it means that the flop cards which are the first three of the community laid in the center of the table are going together well with the hole cards the player is holding that were dealt face-down to "him". The chances of putting together a winning poker hand is looking pretty good.
"The post-flop is up"= basically this describes an action such as a bet most commonly. A player has bet post flop; the player has waited after he sees the post flop cards and means that the player didn't bet blind.
"It's coming down to the river"= the river refers to the last hand of Holdem style poker game. The very last card laid upon the table face-up, is the river.
Learning some of these terms should get your foot in the door to a good poker game but after you're in it's up to you. Have fun playing poker and even more fun learning some of the new slang.
Some of the most common terms like trips, quads or ole one eye are pretty obvious pointing to three of a kind, four of a kind and the notorious one eyed jack. When you're looking to impress some avid poker players, brushing up on a few terms that aren't so common will do the trick.
Let's look at a few hands you may have and the correct terminology of portraying a big boy at the table. After all, the last thing you want to say when you see two aces in your hand is, "I have a pair" so let's look at the terminology for pairs.
A-A= these are called "Pocket Rockets"
K-K= these are called "Cowboys" or "Elvis Presley's" and some times "Penn & Teller"
Q-Q= often called "The Twins", "The Ladies", "The Hilton's" or "The Dirty Duo"
J-J = sometimes Jacks are called "Jokers", "Hooks" or "Jerky Joe's"
These valued cards often have some wacky names and it may seem hard to keep up with some of them but you'll soon realize that's not so bad compared to some others. For instance, take a look at the slang on these babies.
2-2= "Ducks" or "Deuces"
3-3= "Prom Night" or "Crabs"
6-9= "Top or Bottom", "Delight" and "Big Lick"
K-J= "KoJak"
A-J= "Apple Jacks" or "Apple Fritter"
The terminology listed above can help you but only to an extent.
To be seriously efficient in a poker game, learn a few other terms to show that you are experienced and you mean business, everyone bluff's sometimes. These terms are usually used in context when referring to a stage of play.
What is the flop?
The flop as it's called is actually the first stage of play involving the community cards when the first three are laid upon the table in any type of "Holdem" style of poker. There are several ways the word flop is used and if you've watched televised poker play, it can be confusing.
What does it mean when someone says:
"He's seeing the flop"= generally speaking this means that "he" the player will stay in the game, stay in the pot or the ante until "he" sees the first three cards-the flop.
"He's hitting the flop"= this is a phrase that any poker player loves to hear and it means that the flop cards which are the first three of the community laid in the center of the table are going together well with the hole cards the player is holding that were dealt face-down to "him". The chances of putting together a winning poker hand is looking pretty good.
"The post-flop is up"= basically this describes an action such as a bet most commonly. A player has bet post flop; the player has waited after he sees the post flop cards and means that the player didn't bet blind.
"It's coming down to the river"= the river refers to the last hand of Holdem style poker game. The very last card laid upon the table face-up, is the river.
Learning some of these terms should get your foot in the door to a good poker game but after you're in it's up to you. Have fun playing poker and even more fun learning some of the new slang.
Types Of Poker Players
The theory of evolution was thanks to Darwin spending a great deal of time by himself on a secluded island poking and examining nthe local creatures while he formed opinions about where the species came from including us lowly human beings. Had he spent those years in stranded in Las Vegas the theory of evolution might have been a result of examining and poking players. And boy what a different tell it would tell!
No one can really tell you how the evolution of poker players actually came about. Not even Darwin because he chose the secluded island rather than the far mor entertaining Vegas players. Perhaps the types of poker players that have evolved began with the caveman. As he huddled in his cave with his other cavemen betting twigs while using cards chiseled from rock. Now there's a challenge!
What we do know is that there are two distinct species of poker players that can be seen hanging around the casino which is their natural habitat. After all a poker player is as natural to the casino as a caveman was to his club.
The first type of player you can spot is called the loose player. When most people think of a loose player their mind conjures up images of a [censored] Madonna with her big red lips and short skirt. That may be an accurate image of loose but not in the poker world.
Loose poker players are actually very aggressive. A loose player will take a lot of risks while chasing the big rewards at the end of the rainbow or should we say poker table. They play a lot of hands and are less likely to fold when challenged. But there are also two kinds of "Loose Players."
There is the passive loose player who regards pot odds as only a friendly suggestion. They seldom fold and will continue to call regardless of the strength of their hand, or what they believe the strength of their opponents hand is. They are the perfect example of the eternal optimists believing that at any moment any two cards can make the difference. What makes them passive is that they will call almost every time, but rarely raise. They will stay in the game to the bitter end, but do not add that extra element of risk. Almost as a rule, these folks don't bluff well. Passive-loose players are die a slow financial death at the table but you have to give them an A for their attitude.
The other type of loose player is an aggressive loose player. They are the Spiderman of the the poker world. They are extremely aggressive and see raising as form of worship to the card gods. These players have no problem raising before and after the flop, because they attempt to bully the table. Poker players with this style are very good at winning a lot of small pots but when it comes to the big pots and the big bucks they tend to loose their momentem and peter out.
The second type of poker player is the tight player who doesn't play a lot of hands and who always folds when circumstances and pot odds are not in their favor. They do not thrive on a steady diet of raises. They much prefer to call or fold while picking their fights to mount a vigorous offensive.
There are also two types of tight players. A passive tight player is genetically programmed to avoid risk. Even when the hand is big they are more likely to call then ever think about raising. You will die of boredom if you are waiting for a passive tight player to bluff. There's just no bluff in this type of player. Instead they play a very straightforward game and fold very easily.
An aggressive tight player is quite the opposite. This is the Rambo of poker, believing heavility in picking their own poison. They will fold when the odds are not in their favor. They will see the flop with a decent hand, and that is when their more aggressive tendencies will emerge. They will go after the money at that point.
It is a good idea to identify the types of poker players at your table. Then you can adapt to the style of the table. You may find yourself morphing into one of these types over time. But I'm telling you being a chameleon will benefit you a lot more in the long run. Leave the psychology to the other guys and gals!
No one can really tell you how the evolution of poker players actually came about. Not even Darwin because he chose the secluded island rather than the far mor entertaining Vegas players. Perhaps the types of poker players that have evolved began with the caveman. As he huddled in his cave with his other cavemen betting twigs while using cards chiseled from rock. Now there's a challenge!
What we do know is that there are two distinct species of poker players that can be seen hanging around the casino which is their natural habitat. After all a poker player is as natural to the casino as a caveman was to his club.
The first type of player you can spot is called the loose player. When most people think of a loose player their mind conjures up images of a [censored] Madonna with her big red lips and short skirt. That may be an accurate image of loose but not in the poker world.
Loose poker players are actually very aggressive. A loose player will take a lot of risks while chasing the big rewards at the end of the rainbow or should we say poker table. They play a lot of hands and are less likely to fold when challenged. But there are also two kinds of "Loose Players."
There is the passive loose player who regards pot odds as only a friendly suggestion. They seldom fold and will continue to call regardless of the strength of their hand, or what they believe the strength of their opponents hand is. They are the perfect example of the eternal optimists believing that at any moment any two cards can make the difference. What makes them passive is that they will call almost every time, but rarely raise. They will stay in the game to the bitter end, but do not add that extra element of risk. Almost as a rule, these folks don't bluff well. Passive-loose players are die a slow financial death at the table but you have to give them an A for their attitude.
The other type of loose player is an aggressive loose player. They are the Spiderman of the the poker world. They are extremely aggressive and see raising as form of worship to the card gods. These players have no problem raising before and after the flop, because they attempt to bully the table. Poker players with this style are very good at winning a lot of small pots but when it comes to the big pots and the big bucks they tend to loose their momentem and peter out.
The second type of poker player is the tight player who doesn't play a lot of hands and who always folds when circumstances and pot odds are not in their favor. They do not thrive on a steady diet of raises. They much prefer to call or fold while picking their fights to mount a vigorous offensive.
There are also two types of tight players. A passive tight player is genetically programmed to avoid risk. Even when the hand is big they are more likely to call then ever think about raising. You will die of boredom if you are waiting for a passive tight player to bluff. There's just no bluff in this type of player. Instead they play a very straightforward game and fold very easily.
An aggressive tight player is quite the opposite. This is the Rambo of poker, believing heavility in picking their own poison. They will fold when the odds are not in their favor. They will see the flop with a decent hand, and that is when their more aggressive tendencies will emerge. They will go after the money at that point.
It is a good idea to identify the types of poker players at your table. Then you can adapt to the style of the table. You may find yourself morphing into one of these types over time. But I'm telling you being a chameleon will benefit you a lot more in the long run. Leave the psychology to the other guys and gals!
Using Deception in Poker
If you have ever played poker before you know that you can obviously see all the players around you since you play in a circle (unless you're playing online poker). You just figured out the most important part of poker. You may be thinking that that's impossible.
You probably think that the most important part is the cards; what cards you get how to use them, ect... These are very important, you are correct, but it all starts with your ability to use your body language to your advantage. The cards are going to be relatively the same for all the players. Luck usually doesn't factor in well in poker since everyone has the same chance to get the same cards.
In case luck begins to play a large role in your game then what can you does? A player always has 4 basic choices; you can check, bet or call, raise, or fold. If you are not getting good cards you can always fold right?
This is not always a good idea. You may be leaving large amounts of money on the table in the long run after a few initial folds. Sure you seemingly get away with losing less but you give up the chance to even try. Bluffing is the art of misguidance. You want them to think you have a bad hand one second and the next a great hand with all the best cards that are sure to win you the pot.
How do you accomplish such a thing? Simply with your body language this can be done. If you have good cards act happy. You may not want them to know that you have good cards but it's a way to change there thinking; now every time you act "happy" they will think you have good cards and may fold.
If you have bad cards and you act happy they might fold because now they are afraid. What you want to do is create a complicated pattern of sad, happy, indifferent, ecstatic, angry, ect. Actions for certain hands. You want to throw them off but try and lure them into a safe zone where they think they understand your bluffing pattern and then hit them with the reality. As long as they are trying to keep up with whatever pattern you have, you will have them all under your control.
In one game of poker tournament I was playing in I decided to create very complex poker faces. They where not good they where not bad. I scrunched my face, grabbed my lip and scratched my leg; I did the craziest thing that nobody understood. They had no idea what my faces meant so they assumed that when I didn't raise that my cards where not good and they would raise and raise. When it came time to show, guess who took home the pot.
The moral of this little story is that you have to be creative. This is step two of poker (after learning the basics and learning them by heart), body language is very important. If you are known as a newbie and you come in they will expect you to show your cards loud and clear through your body language. You can mislead and kill your competition with a good poker face.
You probably think that the most important part is the cards; what cards you get how to use them, ect... These are very important, you are correct, but it all starts with your ability to use your body language to your advantage. The cards are going to be relatively the same for all the players. Luck usually doesn't factor in well in poker since everyone has the same chance to get the same cards.
In case luck begins to play a large role in your game then what can you does? A player always has 4 basic choices; you can check, bet or call, raise, or fold. If you are not getting good cards you can always fold right?
This is not always a good idea. You may be leaving large amounts of money on the table in the long run after a few initial folds. Sure you seemingly get away with losing less but you give up the chance to even try. Bluffing is the art of misguidance. You want them to think you have a bad hand one second and the next a great hand with all the best cards that are sure to win you the pot.
How do you accomplish such a thing? Simply with your body language this can be done. If you have good cards act happy. You may not want them to know that you have good cards but it's a way to change there thinking; now every time you act "happy" they will think you have good cards and may fold.
If you have bad cards and you act happy they might fold because now they are afraid. What you want to do is create a complicated pattern of sad, happy, indifferent, ecstatic, angry, ect. Actions for certain hands. You want to throw them off but try and lure them into a safe zone where they think they understand your bluffing pattern and then hit them with the reality. As long as they are trying to keep up with whatever pattern you have, you will have them all under your control.
In one game of poker tournament I was playing in I decided to create very complex poker faces. They where not good they where not bad. I scrunched my face, grabbed my lip and scratched my leg; I did the craziest thing that nobody understood. They had no idea what my faces meant so they assumed that when I didn't raise that my cards where not good and they would raise and raise. When it came time to show, guess who took home the pot.
The moral of this little story is that you have to be creative. This is step two of poker (after learning the basics and learning them by heart), body language is very important. If you are known as a newbie and you come in they will expect you to show your cards loud and clear through your body language. You can mislead and kill your competition with a good poker face.
Winning Texas Holdem Poker Strategy
In any type of game, strategy is an important part of winning. Adapting to the differences in each game, understanding the importance of position and realizing that knowledge is essential are three main parts of Texas Holdem strategy. There are many different approaches to strategy, but if a player uses these three key parts, then they should discover they have a winning strategic approach.
Adapting to the differences in the game is an important part of strategy. Not every approach works in every situation. A player that finds, during the course of the game, that another player is picking up on their strategy may need to change their style a little to throw the other player off. Being able to make quick decisions and being flexible with game play is also part of adapting. Adapting is relevant in every game, every time Texas Holdem is played. A player who does not adapt will find keeping up a winning strategy is difficult.
Understanding the importance of position is most relevant to the game of Texas Holdem than any other poker game. Texas Holdem is based on the fact that the position a player is in has great influence over that player's game. Position is based on literally where a player sets during the game. The ideal position is to have a player on the right side that bets often and high. On the left side a player wants someone who does not win often. This ideal position sets the player up to win big more often. It is also a good position to be the last player to act. This allows the player an advantage of seeing the other players' actions and the ability to get basic information about their hands. Position can often times mean the difference between a bad game and a good game.
The biggest advantage to a winning strategy is information. A player who keeps themselves informed throughout the game will have the best odds of winning. A strategy that includes observation and the gathering of information sets a player up to be able to determine other players' actions and bet accordingly. Texas Holdem is all about information and how a player uses it. A player should aim to get as much information as possible while giving little information to other players.
Strategies differ from player to player and from game to game. The idea behind a winning strategy is to be able to make it work in any game. This means being able to adapt it to the situation of the game, having a good position and gathering information. A strategy may change or be altered throughout a game of Texas Holdem. The basic structure of a winning strategy, though, is made up of the three key parts regardless of its implementation.
Adapting to the differences in the game is an important part of strategy. Not every approach works in every situation. A player that finds, during the course of the game, that another player is picking up on their strategy may need to change their style a little to throw the other player off. Being able to make quick decisions and being flexible with game play is also part of adapting. Adapting is relevant in every game, every time Texas Holdem is played. A player who does not adapt will find keeping up a winning strategy is difficult.
Understanding the importance of position is most relevant to the game of Texas Holdem than any other poker game. Texas Holdem is based on the fact that the position a player is in has great influence over that player's game. Position is based on literally where a player sets during the game. The ideal position is to have a player on the right side that bets often and high. On the left side a player wants someone who does not win often. This ideal position sets the player up to win big more often. It is also a good position to be the last player to act. This allows the player an advantage of seeing the other players' actions and the ability to get basic information about their hands. Position can often times mean the difference between a bad game and a good game.
The biggest advantage to a winning strategy is information. A player who keeps themselves informed throughout the game will have the best odds of winning. A strategy that includes observation and the gathering of information sets a player up to be able to determine other players' actions and bet accordingly. Texas Holdem is all about information and how a player uses it. A player should aim to get as much information as possible while giving little information to other players.
Strategies differ from player to player and from game to game. The idea behind a winning strategy is to be able to make it work in any game. This means being able to adapt it to the situation of the game, having a good position and gathering information. A strategy may change or be altered throughout a game of Texas Holdem. The basic structure of a winning strategy, though, is made up of the three key parts regardless of its implementation.
The Trap And Poker Psychology
Everyone who plays poker has heard of "having a poker face" or being trapped. Having a poker face is more than just the look on your face, it's all of your body language and actions combined.
A good poker player is an observant poker player. You have to learn to associate your opponents facial expressions, body language, speech, and even the bet amounts with what they eventually are revealed to have been holding in their hand.
Facial Expressions: With online poker, you of course cannot use this. But in a real poker game you can. Start with the eyes. When they call or raise a hand, do they look down, to the right, to the left, at an object in the room? Then what did they have when they did that?
Do they smile? Grind their teeth? Immediately take a sip of their drink after or before the bet? Look for these things each time they call or raise.
Body Language: Do they play with their poker chips under certain circumstances? Lean back or forward? Look for things they do with their body and then what kind of hand they had each time they do that action.
Betting Amounts: Some poker players don't realize they have a pattern at all or they figure no one will figure out the "code" they use for themselves. Watch how much they bet, then what type of hand they had and see if you can associate a particular hand strength with a specific range of bet or even a specific raise amount.
If you find a pattern where your opponent always does a specific action in relation to having a good hand or bluffing, you have their number and can beat them at poker easily . . . or can you?
The Trap: You can establish a pattern that will be picked up by the other players. Let it cause you to lose a little money here and there. Let your poker opponents think they have your number by doing specific actions associated with different hand strengths. Don't let it cost you too much money and watch for the signs they are taking the bait and are using your patterns to beat you.
Then you can spring the trap. Wait until you get a really good hand, a sure winner and do the actions you had been doing when bluffing or when you had a lower strength hand. Your poker opponents will think they have you and bet the limit. You'll win what you lost and a lot more.
Playing poker is a lot more than just knowing how to bet the cards in your hand. There is a lot of psychology involved, mind games, if you really want to play with the best.
A good poker player is an observant poker player. You have to learn to associate your opponents facial expressions, body language, speech, and even the bet amounts with what they eventually are revealed to have been holding in their hand.
Facial Expressions: With online poker, you of course cannot use this. But in a real poker game you can. Start with the eyes. When they call or raise a hand, do they look down, to the right, to the left, at an object in the room? Then what did they have when they did that?
Do they smile? Grind their teeth? Immediately take a sip of their drink after or before the bet? Look for these things each time they call or raise.
Body Language: Do they play with their poker chips under certain circumstances? Lean back or forward? Look for things they do with their body and then what kind of hand they had each time they do that action.
Betting Amounts: Some poker players don't realize they have a pattern at all or they figure no one will figure out the "code" they use for themselves. Watch how much they bet, then what type of hand they had and see if you can associate a particular hand strength with a specific range of bet or even a specific raise amount.
If you find a pattern where your opponent always does a specific action in relation to having a good hand or bluffing, you have their number and can beat them at poker easily . . . or can you?
The Trap: You can establish a pattern that will be picked up by the other players. Let it cause you to lose a little money here and there. Let your poker opponents think they have your number by doing specific actions associated with different hand strengths. Don't let it cost you too much money and watch for the signs they are taking the bait and are using your patterns to beat you.
Then you can spring the trap. Wait until you get a really good hand, a sure winner and do the actions you had been doing when bluffing or when you had a lower strength hand. Your poker opponents will think they have you and bet the limit. You'll win what you lost and a lot more.
Playing poker is a lot more than just knowing how to bet the cards in your hand. There is a lot of psychology involved, mind games, if you really want to play with the best.
Poker Strategy: Bluffing Your Cards
Poker is all about winning, but losing as well. And when he loses, a player gets deceptive. Bluffing is a typical poker method. The reason you bluff is obvious: you want to trick the others, making them think you have a better hand than the one you do, and even a better hand than they do. If you want your bluff to be successful, you need to actually persuade the others that you have better cards.
Players without experience love to bluff. They would do it all the time. And that leads them to bankruptcy. The efficiency of a bluff is sometimes increased by situations and it is closely related to the information you have about the others that are playing with you. It's difficult to give specific situations when bluffing works, because it depends on people's reactions and they can often be unpredictable.
When it comes to online poker playing, some situations just ask for a bluff.
1. When you are playing against just a few players.
It's actually quite simple to understand, and as you know fewer people are easier to trick. When there are just a few hands, odds tell us that the chances for a good hand are low and you can go ahead and bluff. But experienced players know that you can bluff in this situation, so they might go ahead and call you till the end. It's tricky as is bluffing always and you should try it only when you play with persons you are familiar with.
2. When you play beside tight persons.
Tight players will go along with bidding only if they have something they usually fold when they have nothing, or they make small bets. If you bluff early and the others are still calling your bets, then it is probable that they really do have something and maybe you should stop bluffing because they can stick to their cards.
3. When the last card is dealt, on the river.
You can bluff here because the ones that really have bad hand will fold, they have to other chance of improving their hand. If you got this far without bluffing you probably have something, like an Ace or a low pair, and the bluffing you are about to pull off it's actually semi-bluffing.
4. When you are last and every one else checked.
If they all checked, this means their hands are not that great at all. Be aware because you will force some to make the bid, but some will probably fold. You might need to make this a persistent bluff, betting and raising bets a few times, because the bluff is common and others expect it.
5. When you placed a bet early but didn't get the cards.
Of course, if they see you are still betting they will think you found the cards you need on the table. It is fairly risky and there are no patters for this, you just have to feel the table and analyze the cards and odds accordingly.
6. When the others fear you.
If you just won a good hand or some consecutive less important hands, then they know you can really play. If they type "Nice hand" they are now in your power, they respect and fear your hands. They are likely to fold if you raise the bet, only if you play this bluff the same way you played the winning hands.
7. When the cards in the flop are bad.
It is possible that players will fold when they see bad flops. If the flop has three rainbow cards that don't match at all, like for instance: 5, 8, and 2 most likely no one has anything. So try to bluff, but pay attention to the reaming two cards. If they are also low, go on with it.
When using any of these bluffing strategies, think about the fact that other players might know them too and because of that they might see that you are bluffing. But bluff only against players you are familiar with to have better chances of succeeding.
Players without experience love to bluff. They would do it all the time. And that leads them to bankruptcy. The efficiency of a bluff is sometimes increased by situations and it is closely related to the information you have about the others that are playing with you. It's difficult to give specific situations when bluffing works, because it depends on people's reactions and they can often be unpredictable.
When it comes to online poker playing, some situations just ask for a bluff.
1. When you are playing against just a few players.
It's actually quite simple to understand, and as you know fewer people are easier to trick. When there are just a few hands, odds tell us that the chances for a good hand are low and you can go ahead and bluff. But experienced players know that you can bluff in this situation, so they might go ahead and call you till the end. It's tricky as is bluffing always and you should try it only when you play with persons you are familiar with.
2. When you play beside tight persons.
Tight players will go along with bidding only if they have something they usually fold when they have nothing, or they make small bets. If you bluff early and the others are still calling your bets, then it is probable that they really do have something and maybe you should stop bluffing because they can stick to their cards.
3. When the last card is dealt, on the river.
You can bluff here because the ones that really have bad hand will fold, they have to other chance of improving their hand. If you got this far without bluffing you probably have something, like an Ace or a low pair, and the bluffing you are about to pull off it's actually semi-bluffing.
4. When you are last and every one else checked.
If they all checked, this means their hands are not that great at all. Be aware because you will force some to make the bid, but some will probably fold. You might need to make this a persistent bluff, betting and raising bets a few times, because the bluff is common and others expect it.
5. When you placed a bet early but didn't get the cards.
Of course, if they see you are still betting they will think you found the cards you need on the table. It is fairly risky and there are no patters for this, you just have to feel the table and analyze the cards and odds accordingly.
6. When the others fear you.
If you just won a good hand or some consecutive less important hands, then they know you can really play. If they type "Nice hand" they are now in your power, they respect and fear your hands. They are likely to fold if you raise the bet, only if you play this bluff the same way you played the winning hands.
7. When the cards in the flop are bad.
It is possible that players will fold when they see bad flops. If the flop has three rainbow cards that don't match at all, like for instance: 5, 8, and 2 most likely no one has anything. So try to bluff, but pay attention to the reaming two cards. If they are also low, go on with it.
When using any of these bluffing strategies, think about the fact that other players might know them too and because of that they might see that you are bluffing. But bluff only against players you are familiar with to have better chances of succeeding.
Poker Strategy: Look Out For The Flush Draw
Let's take a look at a situation that some online players find irresistible, and this situation is playing hands just for the color. Why they do it is pretty simple: they look nice all rounded up and with the same color and they will surely bring the player fabulous winnings. But they won't, you need luck to get a flush just out of two cards. They play for instance and Ace or a king along with any kicker just because they are from the same suit. Many even cross this line, and they think that anything is worth playing if the two cards share the same color.
You looking back at your game you find that you also can be help responsible for these kinds of hands, even when you find yourself in early position, then you must really rethink your way of playing. Let's take a look at the odds you get a flush right out of the flop. So, to have a flush them you must have in your hand two card of one color, and next to this, the three cards dealt in the flop must be all three of the exact same color as the ones you are holding. The chances for that to happen are under 1%. They are actually about 0.85%. That means something like 118 to 1. Very low chances. So, even now when you know this you might still play let's say an Ace with any suited card because you hope you will get a flush along with the flop or on the river. But, usually you have to waste lots of money to test this. And saying that you do have a flush, you can not be sure that you have the winning hand. Maybe another player tried it too and he has a flush also, only with better cards than yours.
I know that everyone finds it hard to give up this method but if you want to be successful you must give it up. Just think of it as it is a bad think, that will surely make you lose money and this way you might be able to give it up.
To stop yourself from doing this mistake again just set an objective not to play this hands for 10 poker sessions from now one. Take a pen and a paper and note down every hand you will throw that fits this description. And fold but continue watching the game. In the end do some calculus and see if you could have won that hand. Include all the bets you would have made to win it, how much money you would have spent on that hand and how much you would eventually win.
Repeat this for every hand. And after 10 poker sessions, add all the figures up. And surprisingly you will realize that it was a right decision, that you saved money and this will convince you too be more careful with hands of two suited cards.
You looking back at your game you find that you also can be help responsible for these kinds of hands, even when you find yourself in early position, then you must really rethink your way of playing. Let's take a look at the odds you get a flush right out of the flop. So, to have a flush them you must have in your hand two card of one color, and next to this, the three cards dealt in the flop must be all three of the exact same color as the ones you are holding. The chances for that to happen are under 1%. They are actually about 0.85%. That means something like 118 to 1. Very low chances. So, even now when you know this you might still play let's say an Ace with any suited card because you hope you will get a flush along with the flop or on the river. But, usually you have to waste lots of money to test this. And saying that you do have a flush, you can not be sure that you have the winning hand. Maybe another player tried it too and he has a flush also, only with better cards than yours.
I know that everyone finds it hard to give up this method but if you want to be successful you must give it up. Just think of it as it is a bad think, that will surely make you lose money and this way you might be able to give it up.
To stop yourself from doing this mistake again just set an objective not to play this hands for 10 poker sessions from now one. Take a pen and a paper and note down every hand you will throw that fits this description. And fold but continue watching the game. In the end do some calculus and see if you could have won that hand. Include all the bets you would have made to win it, how much money you would have spent on that hand and how much you would eventually win.
Repeat this for every hand. And after 10 poker sessions, add all the figures up. And surprisingly you will realize that it was a right decision, that you saved money and this will convince you too be more careful with hands of two suited cards.
Poker Strategy System: How To Calculate Odds
This can not be better illustrated than through an example and that is exactly what is going to be done here.
Let's say you are playing online hold'em and you have a hand of 8, 9 suited in a game with the small blind of $3 and the big blind of $6. Then you call the raise that came from one player and all the other players do that also. There are six players in total in the poker room. So the pot added up to $36 or more from now.
In the flop, the cards you can see are Js , 7h, and 4h.
Now, a difficult decision lies ahead of you. Once you have seen the flop you realize that you have a gutshot to a nuts straight because you are now missing only a 10 from hitting that hand. The idea is to decide whether it is worth it to draw for the nuts or not.
The player in first position bets and the following two players that are sittingbefore you call. So the pot became somewhere around $45. if you are looking after that gutshot straight then you have to consider the fact that it has 4 outs that are the card you are missing, the 10 in this example. 4 cards out of the total of 47 cards left in the deck. So odds are 4:47. On the river the cards in the deck decrease by one so the odds become 4:46. Simplifying, it turns out that to hit the straight on the turn you have 1:11 chances. The pot odds are in your favor because you now have to call $3 for the amount of $45 accumulated so far.
On the turn, the following cards are placed on the table: 6s, 4h, 7h, Js. This means that you have now the chance to draw to 2 straights and you are hoping for either one of the following cards: a five or a ten. The outs just became 9 for you hand and the odds just improved on your side. Now your odds of hitting the draw are doubled because there are eight outs. And, in addition to that in this case you have the chance of hitting a different hand also, a flush and for that you need any spade card. For the flush there are 9 outs. There is a five of spades and a 10 of spades that are already counted as outs, so they will not be counted again. This basically means that your odds to improve the hand are 9+4:46, meaning 15:46 or about 33% for your draw to hit. This is a pretty good percent and even if the ones situated in front of you bet or raise, you can still get a good pot odd also.
It is crucial for you to learn over time to instantly calculate pot and implied odds both. You have always to calculate you pot odds, based on what is situated now on the table, and then try and think about future bets and recalculate the pod and its odds, this way you get to the true meaning of implied odds.
Let's say you are playing online hold'em and you have a hand of 8, 9 suited in a game with the small blind of $3 and the big blind of $6. Then you call the raise that came from one player and all the other players do that also. There are six players in total in the poker room. So the pot added up to $36 or more from now.
In the flop, the cards you can see are Js , 7h, and 4h.
Now, a difficult decision lies ahead of you. Once you have seen the flop you realize that you have a gutshot to a nuts straight because you are now missing only a 10 from hitting that hand. The idea is to decide whether it is worth it to draw for the nuts or not.
The player in first position bets and the following two players that are sittingbefore you call. So the pot became somewhere around $45. if you are looking after that gutshot straight then you have to consider the fact that it has 4 outs that are the card you are missing, the 10 in this example. 4 cards out of the total of 47 cards left in the deck. So odds are 4:47. On the river the cards in the deck decrease by one so the odds become 4:46. Simplifying, it turns out that to hit the straight on the turn you have 1:11 chances. The pot odds are in your favor because you now have to call $3 for the amount of $45 accumulated so far.
On the turn, the following cards are placed on the table: 6s, 4h, 7h, Js. This means that you have now the chance to draw to 2 straights and you are hoping for either one of the following cards: a five or a ten. The outs just became 9 for you hand and the odds just improved on your side. Now your odds of hitting the draw are doubled because there are eight outs. And, in addition to that in this case you have the chance of hitting a different hand also, a flush and for that you need any spade card. For the flush there are 9 outs. There is a five of spades and a 10 of spades that are already counted as outs, so they will not be counted again. This basically means that your odds to improve the hand are 9+4:46, meaning 15:46 or about 33% for your draw to hit. This is a pretty good percent and even if the ones situated in front of you bet or raise, you can still get a good pot odd also.
It is crucial for you to learn over time to instantly calculate pot and implied odds both. You have always to calculate you pot odds, based on what is situated now on the table, and then try and think about future bets and recalculate the pod and its odds, this way you get to the true meaning of implied odds.
Poker Strategy Tip: Semi-Bluffing
What is semi-bluffing? Generally, you are semi-bluffing when the cards dealt previously to you are not so great, but the odds are that they can really improve. If you are playing against players that have nothing, it should function just as if you were bluffing. But if your opponents have something, then semi-bluffing is a latent, hidden form of attack. Semi-bluffing should be used thoughtfully as it is a powerful tool. If the cards will come to you then it will lead to a great hand. But if they don't, semi-bluffing can make you lose lots of money.
In texas hold'em semi-bluffing is preferred to bluffing because players usually can tell when you are bluffing. You must use it against lots of players rather than against just a few, the odds are in your favor this way. Also, semi-bluff when you are in late position, maybe on the flop and always against poor, un-experienced players.
Let's look at an actual situation that will be commented upon for a better understanding.
Situation: You have a Ace of hearts and a Ten of hearts.
There are six players and in the pre-flop each of them betted twice. When the flop is dealt, you can see the following cards: Jack of hearts, Queen of Diamond, Eight of hearts.
You are positioned in the middle so you want to try semi-bluffing. You have great chances actually. If any heart card or any king appears you will have a hand. So, you are confronted now with multiple draws. You have to think what would be best in this situation. If you get a heart then you should have a flush, but then again if a king arises you will have a straight. The King of hearts is probably in some one's hand so don't think about that. If the queen of heart might appear it can be dangerous, because it could also be used for someone's full house. So, best solution is to get the King, probably a non-hearts King.
Because either a flush or a straight can make your hand the winning one, then we must think that you have twelve outs, with the king of hearts that we decided is already dealt probably but counting this card only once even though it fits both categories. Calculating the odds, you stand a chance of 25% to get the card you need. So, you can raise or check here. If let's say you miss this one, there is a good chance if the players are folding that you still win and you can continue betting.
In texas hold'em semi-bluffing is preferred to bluffing because players usually can tell when you are bluffing. You must use it against lots of players rather than against just a few, the odds are in your favor this way. Also, semi-bluff when you are in late position, maybe on the flop and always against poor, un-experienced players.
Let's look at an actual situation that will be commented upon for a better understanding.
Situation: You have a Ace of hearts and a Ten of hearts.
There are six players and in the pre-flop each of them betted twice. When the flop is dealt, you can see the following cards: Jack of hearts, Queen of Diamond, Eight of hearts.
You are positioned in the middle so you want to try semi-bluffing. You have great chances actually. If any heart card or any king appears you will have a hand. So, you are confronted now with multiple draws. You have to think what would be best in this situation. If you get a heart then you should have a flush, but then again if a king arises you will have a straight. The King of hearts is probably in some one's hand so don't think about that. If the queen of heart might appear it can be dangerous, because it could also be used for someone's full house. So, best solution is to get the King, probably a non-hearts King.
Because either a flush or a straight can make your hand the winning one, then we must think that you have twelve outs, with the king of hearts that we decided is already dealt probably but counting this card only once even though it fits both categories. Calculating the odds, you stand a chance of 25% to get the card you need. So, you can raise or check here. If let's say you miss this one, there is a good chance if the players are folding that you still win and you can continue betting.
Texas Holdem Betting Strategies
When you eliminate Texas Holdem betting strategies from the poker table, Hold em is nothing more than a game of luck. However, when the chips are on the table poker turns out to be a game of sheer tactics and mental shrewdness
The game of Texas Hold em requires two forced bets (per round) called the big blind and small blind.
When the betting comes around to you in a clockwise sequence, you have one of four choices:
1. Bet - When you are "under the gun," you place an amount of chips equal to the big blind. This goes into the pot.
2. Call - Calling is matching the the amount of the prior bet.
3. Raise - To call a raise requires you first match what another player bet. Afterward you can "raise" to whatever amount you choose.
4. Fold - To fold is simply dropping out of a hand. Nothing to win. Nothing to lose.
When you sit down at the poker table, you will quickly observe there are two extreme bettors.
1. Manic - The Maniac pushes the action, whether he has a hand or not. At first, the Maniac is quick to double or triple his chip stack. For all that, the need for action often leaves the Maniac knocked out of sit and go's or refilling his bankroll.
2. Passive - The Rock often checks or calls and never raises unless he possesses a monster hand. Due to his passiveness, the Rock constantly loses chips and is in the long run out of the tournament and having to refill his account.
Texas Hold em betting is not just throwing chips into the pot, or paying to see the flop. Actually, there is a strategy, which should be involved. David Sklansky said there are five reasons why you place a bet:
1. You want to get more chips in the pot.
2. You want to drive other players out.
3. You want to bluff (or semi-bluff).
4. You want to get a free card.
5. You want to gain information on the other player (s).
Here are five poker betting strategies you can use to improve your Texas holdem poker play.
1. Value Bet: With the value bet, you are proding for information. The feeler bet will always let you know where you stand in the hand. If you never bet, you will never know what your opponents are holding. It is for this purpose you use it to get a "feel" for the strength of your hand also the strength of your opponents hand.
2. Stealing the Blinds: A strategy worth expanding in poker is taking down uncontested blinds and pots! Stealing the blinds over time will win you more money than you will lose. There some things you should give thought to before you start stealing the blinds is the caliber of players at the table, your own table image, sensing weakness at the table and the size of the bet.
3. Check Raise: This is also known as trapping. The check raise works by acting weak in hopes of hiding your strength. With any luck, this will induce a bluff or at least a misinformed bet from your opponent to get him to put his chips to the pot.
4. Continuation Bet: Representing the Flop is showing strength before the flop, most often with over cards. Oftentimes you will miss the flop, but continue to show strength through betting, as if you have a real hand. The secret to successfully pulling off the continuation bet is to narrow your opponents down to one or two at the most. Here is the rule of representing the flop: If you make a pre-flop raise, you must bet after the flop. Period. This includes when you do not hit your cards. Do not be one of those morons who raises with Big Slick before the flop...only to check after the flop when it comes out garbage. Players who do that are faint of heart.
5. Squeezing: You squeeze when you believe someone is on a flush or straight draw but does not have it. Raising in this situation may keep the player from staying in the hand, not wanting to put at risk his stack on the likelihood of missing his straight or flush. Watch out, unless you already have a strong hand, this type of texas holdem betting strategy could boomerang.
Try putting into practice these five Hold'em betting strategies and watch your Holdem game improve.
The game of Texas Hold em requires two forced bets (per round) called the big blind and small blind.
When the betting comes around to you in a clockwise sequence, you have one of four choices:
1. Bet - When you are "under the gun," you place an amount of chips equal to the big blind. This goes into the pot.
2. Call - Calling is matching the the amount of the prior bet.
3. Raise - To call a raise requires you first match what another player bet. Afterward you can "raise" to whatever amount you choose.
4. Fold - To fold is simply dropping out of a hand. Nothing to win. Nothing to lose.
When you sit down at the poker table, you will quickly observe there are two extreme bettors.
1. Manic - The Maniac pushes the action, whether he has a hand or not. At first, the Maniac is quick to double or triple his chip stack. For all that, the need for action often leaves the Maniac knocked out of sit and go's or refilling his bankroll.
2. Passive - The Rock often checks or calls and never raises unless he possesses a monster hand. Due to his passiveness, the Rock constantly loses chips and is in the long run out of the tournament and having to refill his account.
Texas Hold em betting is not just throwing chips into the pot, or paying to see the flop. Actually, there is a strategy, which should be involved. David Sklansky said there are five reasons why you place a bet:
1. You want to get more chips in the pot.
2. You want to drive other players out.
3. You want to bluff (or semi-bluff).
4. You want to get a free card.
5. You want to gain information on the other player (s).
Here are five poker betting strategies you can use to improve your Texas holdem poker play.
1. Value Bet: With the value bet, you are proding for information. The feeler bet will always let you know where you stand in the hand. If you never bet, you will never know what your opponents are holding. It is for this purpose you use it to get a "feel" for the strength of your hand also the strength of your opponents hand.
2. Stealing the Blinds: A strategy worth expanding in poker is taking down uncontested blinds and pots! Stealing the blinds over time will win you more money than you will lose. There some things you should give thought to before you start stealing the blinds is the caliber of players at the table, your own table image, sensing weakness at the table and the size of the bet.
3. Check Raise: This is also known as trapping. The check raise works by acting weak in hopes of hiding your strength. With any luck, this will induce a bluff or at least a misinformed bet from your opponent to get him to put his chips to the pot.
4. Continuation Bet: Representing the Flop is showing strength before the flop, most often with over cards. Oftentimes you will miss the flop, but continue to show strength through betting, as if you have a real hand. The secret to successfully pulling off the continuation bet is to narrow your opponents down to one or two at the most. Here is the rule of representing the flop: If you make a pre-flop raise, you must bet after the flop. Period. This includes when you do not hit your cards. Do not be one of those morons who raises with Big Slick before the flop...only to check after the flop when it comes out garbage. Players who do that are faint of heart.
5. Squeezing: You squeeze when you believe someone is on a flush or straight draw but does not have it. Raising in this situation may keep the player from staying in the hand, not wanting to put at risk his stack on the likelihood of missing his straight or flush. Watch out, unless you already have a strong hand, this type of texas holdem betting strategy could boomerang.
Try putting into practice these five Hold'em betting strategies and watch your Holdem game improve.
Texas Holdem Poker Strategy: Playing The Blinds
The blinds in Texas hold'em are positions that oblige the player to place a bet before getting to see the cards. A blind is often thought of an imposed pre-flop bid, because it is made before getting your cards. You don't have a choice when in this position and you will have o bet the amount the game imposed for the respective blind.
Texas hold'em has blinds because they bring along with them a little more action, even if it is forced. Without having the blinds, it is highly probable that players would simply sit around the table all day and fold every time in pre-flop just because they didn't get their pocket aces. The initial idea for the blind was to force everyone pay to see their cards and then the whole game would evolve around the battle for that blind money.
But today, the blind evolved and in real or online casino, especially in limit games blinds became very popular. They are often referred to the small and the big blind and they are the players placed to the left of the dealer button. So at table it is first the dealer button (or that player that is in dealer position for that game), the small blind and then the big blind.
As a general rule, the big blind is twice the small one. But their actual amount depends on the limits of the game. The low limit stated is exactly the big blind amount. The limits that a game has are the amount of the small bet or the bet on the flop and the bog bet or the bet on the river. So, if you are entering a $5-10 game, then you must know this is a games in which the big blind is $5 and the small blind is $2.5 (it can be either 2 or 3 if the rules allow that but it is constant throughout the whole game).
The games become tighter as the blinds are higher. If in a game of 15$/30$ limits, then the blind will be $15 and $10 - that is almost a big bet already in from the blinds. The game will be played tight, but when it comes to low limits the games are pretty loose because there are many people in anyways. After one hand, the blind change and they follow the betting direction, going clockwise. So if you were the big blind now you will be the dealer, which is the best position.
The blinds structure mentioned above is the most popular one but there are others that can be encountered. For example there are games that have three blinds. The big blind and two small blinds one in the normal small blind position and one in the dealer position. This way the games are encouraged to become looser and looser.
Texas hold'em has blinds because they bring along with them a little more action, even if it is forced. Without having the blinds, it is highly probable that players would simply sit around the table all day and fold every time in pre-flop just because they didn't get their pocket aces. The initial idea for the blind was to force everyone pay to see their cards and then the whole game would evolve around the battle for that blind money.
But today, the blind evolved and in real or online casino, especially in limit games blinds became very popular. They are often referred to the small and the big blind and they are the players placed to the left of the dealer button. So at table it is first the dealer button (or that player that is in dealer position for that game), the small blind and then the big blind.
As a general rule, the big blind is twice the small one. But their actual amount depends on the limits of the game. The low limit stated is exactly the big blind amount. The limits that a game has are the amount of the small bet or the bet on the flop and the bog bet or the bet on the river. So, if you are entering a $5-10 game, then you must know this is a games in which the big blind is $5 and the small blind is $2.5 (it can be either 2 or 3 if the rules allow that but it is constant throughout the whole game).
The games become tighter as the blinds are higher. If in a game of 15$/30$ limits, then the blind will be $15 and $10 - that is almost a big bet already in from the blinds. The game will be played tight, but when it comes to low limits the games are pretty loose because there are many people in anyways. After one hand, the blind change and they follow the betting direction, going clockwise. So if you were the big blind now you will be the dealer, which is the best position.
The blinds structure mentioned above is the most popular one but there are others that can be encountered. For example there are games that have three blinds. The big blind and two small blinds one in the normal small blind position and one in the dealer position. This way the games are encouraged to become looser and looser.
Common Sense Poker Tips
The subject of this article is basic Texas Holdem Tips; the common sense guidelines to smart poker that you'd better know well, because your opponents sure do, and they're using it against you right now. Here we go!
Fold
Forget about what you see on TV. In real Texas Holdem you will be folding more often than anything else. And if you're not, then you're probably playing too frivolously. Texas Holdem is about seizing opportunities, not barnstorming through every hand. If you stay in to the Showdown on more hands than you fold, we wager that your time as a Texas Holdem player will be brief.
Check
Overzealous poker neophytes will often fold out of a hand they could just as well have stayed in, if only they'd waited to see if everyone checked before them. Often everyone will check in a hand, and then you -- having folded instead because you thought your hand unsalvageable -- missed out on a chance to see your next card for free. Oops. If you're the first to bet and you want to fold, check instead (unless you plan to bluff and then, may the force be with you). Worst case scenario, someone bets after you and then you fold after all. Big deal.
The Nuts
This is when you have the best possible Texas Holdem hand that can be had at the table at that given moment in time. If you're not sure whether you have the nuts or not, you probably don't. And if the River hasn't been dealt yet, the subsequent card or cards in the deal could totally alter what The Nuts becomes.
Slow Play
A passive strategy, whereby you, holding a winning hand, feign weakness to keep more players contributing to the pot. If, after pulling off a slow play to the end, you still believe you have the winning hand, you may want to go all in on the River.
Check-Raise
A deceptive strategy whereby you, holding a strong Texas Holdem hand, initially feign weakness by checking the right to bet to the next players; then, when a player does bet and your turn comes around again, you don't just call the bet, but your raise it (and usually raise it big). With this strategy, even if all players fold at that moment, you still get the chips they threw in after you checked.
Keep Your Emotions at the Door
They will kill you at the Texas Holdem table. You must keep your wits about you, and if you can't -- as will sometimes be the case -- get out of the game and get out while you still can.
Change It Up
Whatever your personal favorite strategies, to be truly successful at Texas Holdem, you must mix up your game. Don't let yourself fall into a rut, and by all means, do not become predictable -- it is Texas Holdem's kiss of death. Keep your opponents guessing, or suffer the consequences.
Position
Consider where you're sitting in the sequence of betting for each hand. Your strategy must change depending on whether you're betting first, last, or somewhere in the middle.
Attack Weakness
Texas Holdem players are either predators or prey. And if it's often very difficult to tell one from the other. So proceed with caution, and when you smell fear, pounce!
Chip Leaders
There is one way, and one way only, to play Texas Holdem when you are the chip leader: as a Bully. When you have the most chips, it is your prime opportunity to wipe out as many players from the game as you can. All of them. That is your best chance to win.
Fold
Forget about what you see on TV. In real Texas Holdem you will be folding more often than anything else. And if you're not, then you're probably playing too frivolously. Texas Holdem is about seizing opportunities, not barnstorming through every hand. If you stay in to the Showdown on more hands than you fold, we wager that your time as a Texas Holdem player will be brief.
Check
Overzealous poker neophytes will often fold out of a hand they could just as well have stayed in, if only they'd waited to see if everyone checked before them. Often everyone will check in a hand, and then you -- having folded instead because you thought your hand unsalvageable -- missed out on a chance to see your next card for free. Oops. If you're the first to bet and you want to fold, check instead (unless you plan to bluff and then, may the force be with you). Worst case scenario, someone bets after you and then you fold after all. Big deal.
The Nuts
This is when you have the best possible Texas Holdem hand that can be had at the table at that given moment in time. If you're not sure whether you have the nuts or not, you probably don't. And if the River hasn't been dealt yet, the subsequent card or cards in the deal could totally alter what The Nuts becomes.
Slow Play
A passive strategy, whereby you, holding a winning hand, feign weakness to keep more players contributing to the pot. If, after pulling off a slow play to the end, you still believe you have the winning hand, you may want to go all in on the River.
Check-Raise
A deceptive strategy whereby you, holding a strong Texas Holdem hand, initially feign weakness by checking the right to bet to the next players; then, when a player does bet and your turn comes around again, you don't just call the bet, but your raise it (and usually raise it big). With this strategy, even if all players fold at that moment, you still get the chips they threw in after you checked.
Keep Your Emotions at the Door
They will kill you at the Texas Holdem table. You must keep your wits about you, and if you can't -- as will sometimes be the case -- get out of the game and get out while you still can.
Change It Up
Whatever your personal favorite strategies, to be truly successful at Texas Holdem, you must mix up your game. Don't let yourself fall into a rut, and by all means, do not become predictable -- it is Texas Holdem's kiss of death. Keep your opponents guessing, or suffer the consequences.
Position
Consider where you're sitting in the sequence of betting for each hand. Your strategy must change depending on whether you're betting first, last, or somewhere in the middle.
Attack Weakness
Texas Holdem players are either predators or prey. And if it's often very difficult to tell one from the other. So proceed with caution, and when you smell fear, pounce!
Chip Leaders
There is one way, and one way only, to play Texas Holdem when you are the chip leader: as a Bully. When you have the most chips, it is your prime opportunity to wipe out as many players from the game as you can. All of them. That is your best chance to win.
Poker Tip - Importance Of Poker Position And How To Bet
Texas Holdem is all about people and position. All rounded holdem players agree that position in no limit texas holdem is fundamentally important. Playing your hole cards in late position can be much more profitable than in early poker position. The reason because much more information is gathered before acting.
For example, I was playing a $1-$2 no limit cash game at a local spot. I limped in with 2 , 9 unsuited (a terrible hand) on the dealer button, just to see some action. Flop came down A -A -4 . A player in early position made a $15 bet. Two players fold and it was my turn to act. I should have folded, but his play seemed a bit off. I identified this player as a weak-tight player earlier, and typically if he had the best hand he would just check. I thought, ‘if he held trips, why would he raise so early instead of checking and try to trap other players.' I didn't put him on an Ace this time, so I called. The turn came down with a 7 , making it A -A -4 -7 . My opponent made another bet of $20. I hesitated a bit, but made a split decision to reraise another $30 on top of his $20. He folds and I take the pot down.
Playing late position gives you an idea where you stand by observing how players react and bet. On the other hand, players at early position may us their poker position to check-raise the late positioned aggressors and trap them later at the end. In Texas Holdem, both ends, late and early should be played cautiously regardless.
How to Bet
A bet is a declaration that you have a good hand. When a player raises, they are proclaiming they have the best hand and they'll wager money on it. Typically, players are supposed to raise when they have a good hand and those who have a bad hand are suppose to fold. If everyone stuck to this policy, there would be no need for any strategy. However, most players play contrary to this idea and attempt to be cunning and deceptive.
The following descriptions are strategic plays:
Blind-Stealing: When you are on the dealer button and only you have the blinds are left, a raise is often called blind-stealing. This may cause the blinds to fold, stead of simply checking. This strategy will never make you rich, but ends the game fast so you may be dealt a new hand (and adds a few chips to your stack).
Blind stealing is a tremendous tactic within a tournament game, especially when the blinds become very high.
Steal-Raise: If you are the last to act and all players have checked to you, a simple raise can limit the number of active players or take the pot. This move is only recommended if you've hit a piece of the flop and want to see where you stand.
Check-Raising: The act of checking to your opponent with the intention of luring them to raise, so that you can reraise them back. Your intention is to lure them to feel secure about their hand and betting so you can reraise back at them. For example, I was in early position and was holding AQ and the flop came down as Q-A-A. I didn't want to scare anyone out of the pot so I checked and waited for someone to bet. My opponent bets, and I raise him back with a substantial amount that kept him thinking for a minute.
The Opener: Raising when you're first to act. This strategy is used to limit the number of players and is an information bet (usually players with strong hands will call). Many will fold, but the ones remaining will either be equally aggressive or truly have a good hand.
Squeezing: Raising when suspecting another player or players may be on a draw (players looking for a straight, flush, etc). Raising discourages players taking a chance on their draws. For example, I was holding a suited hand J10, and the flop came down as 2-A-8 with two clubs on the community. One more club would have gave me a strong flush possibility, but my opponent bet a strong amount that wasn't worth gambling if I didn't hit my flush.
For example, I was playing a $1-$2 no limit cash game at a local spot. I limped in with 2 , 9 unsuited (a terrible hand) on the dealer button, just to see some action. Flop came down A -A -4 . A player in early position made a $15 bet. Two players fold and it was my turn to act. I should have folded, but his play seemed a bit off. I identified this player as a weak-tight player earlier, and typically if he had the best hand he would just check. I thought, ‘if he held trips, why would he raise so early instead of checking and try to trap other players.' I didn't put him on an Ace this time, so I called. The turn came down with a 7 , making it A -A -4 -7 . My opponent made another bet of $20. I hesitated a bit, but made a split decision to reraise another $30 on top of his $20. He folds and I take the pot down.
Playing late position gives you an idea where you stand by observing how players react and bet. On the other hand, players at early position may us their poker position to check-raise the late positioned aggressors and trap them later at the end. In Texas Holdem, both ends, late and early should be played cautiously regardless.
How to Bet
A bet is a declaration that you have a good hand. When a player raises, they are proclaiming they have the best hand and they'll wager money on it. Typically, players are supposed to raise when they have a good hand and those who have a bad hand are suppose to fold. If everyone stuck to this policy, there would be no need for any strategy. However, most players play contrary to this idea and attempt to be cunning and deceptive.
The following descriptions are strategic plays:
Blind-Stealing: When you are on the dealer button and only you have the blinds are left, a raise is often called blind-stealing. This may cause the blinds to fold, stead of simply checking. This strategy will never make you rich, but ends the game fast so you may be dealt a new hand (and adds a few chips to your stack).
Blind stealing is a tremendous tactic within a tournament game, especially when the blinds become very high.
Steal-Raise: If you are the last to act and all players have checked to you, a simple raise can limit the number of active players or take the pot. This move is only recommended if you've hit a piece of the flop and want to see where you stand.
Check-Raising: The act of checking to your opponent with the intention of luring them to raise, so that you can reraise them back. Your intention is to lure them to feel secure about their hand and betting so you can reraise back at them. For example, I was in early position and was holding AQ and the flop came down as Q-A-A. I didn't want to scare anyone out of the pot so I checked and waited for someone to bet. My opponent bets, and I raise him back with a substantial amount that kept him thinking for a minute.
The Opener: Raising when you're first to act. This strategy is used to limit the number of players and is an information bet (usually players with strong hands will call). Many will fold, but the ones remaining will either be equally aggressive or truly have a good hand.
Squeezing: Raising when suspecting another player or players may be on a draw (players looking for a straight, flush, etc). Raising discourages players taking a chance on their draws. For example, I was holding a suited hand J10, and the flop came down as 2-A-8 with two clubs on the community. One more club would have gave me a strong flush possibility, but my opponent bet a strong amount that wasn't worth gambling if I didn't hit my flush.
Poker Pot Odds: Why They're Vital For A Winning Player
Poker pot odds, just what are they?
When we are referring to pot odds we are actually talking about a crucial element in the game of poker. The pot odds are determined by evaluating the size of the pot and the bet that is about to be made. Let's take a little example for clarification purposes: the size of the pot is $20 and a bet of $5 has been made and now you are about to call it. The pot odds in this case will be 20/5 that means odds of 4:1. If the call would be done for $10 instead of $5, then you would get pot odds of 2:1. Generally, the pot odds are identified by dividing the size of the pot to the amount of the bet when all bets of the round are equal.
The size of the pot
You must always be aware of the size of the pot if you are planning to calculate the pot odds. When playing in a Limit room, the odds will also depend on the numbers of the bets in the pot, instead of the actual amount of the pot. For double bets like some games of hold'em have when on the river you will count twice, that means two small bets for each double bet. If the limit is put only on the pot or if you are playing no-limit hold'em, then the amount of bets is a little harder to calculate and the resulting pot-odds will be more as a guideline than as exact facts, but you still have to try and calculate them at all times.
Using pot odds
In order to use the pot odds, you first have to know them for your game. After you calculated your pot odds, they must be evaluated in a direct connection to the value of the cards you are holding. This includes evaluating the hands of the other players too, and making a plan or a statistic of the outcome of your own hand, calculating the chances you can get to have the best hand in the game.
Let's say you are playing hold'em and are currently on the flop, having a flush draw. Your opponent is most likely to have at least a high pair. The cards you should concentrate on are the outs, the nine cards that can give you a flush once you already can see four of the cards that will be used in your flush. The chances to get the card you need on the turn or on the river are of about 35%, or 1:2 for you, so in order to be sure you are making the right choice, you calls on the flop should be made only if they are based on 2:1 pot odds.
The implied odds
The term of implied odds asks for a calculation of the pot you are most likely to win if you do win. The implied odds are relative and dependent on the evaluation that you provide the game with. They are the relation between the actual size of the pot and the expected final size of it. Let's consider one player bets in a limit game $5 and the pot is $20, so if you call your implied pot odds would be of 5:1 because you are betting a fifth of the expected winning. This is where we should tell if your opponent is either going to call or raise later on the game. Then the implied odds can get to 6:1 or 8:1 depending on the future bets that you must predict.
When we are referring to pot odds we are actually talking about a crucial element in the game of poker. The pot odds are determined by evaluating the size of the pot and the bet that is about to be made. Let's take a little example for clarification purposes: the size of the pot is $20 and a bet of $5 has been made and now you are about to call it. The pot odds in this case will be 20/5 that means odds of 4:1. If the call would be done for $10 instead of $5, then you would get pot odds of 2:1. Generally, the pot odds are identified by dividing the size of the pot to the amount of the bet when all bets of the round are equal.
The size of the pot
You must always be aware of the size of the pot if you are planning to calculate the pot odds. When playing in a Limit room, the odds will also depend on the numbers of the bets in the pot, instead of the actual amount of the pot. For double bets like some games of hold'em have when on the river you will count twice, that means two small bets for each double bet. If the limit is put only on the pot or if you are playing no-limit hold'em, then the amount of bets is a little harder to calculate and the resulting pot-odds will be more as a guideline than as exact facts, but you still have to try and calculate them at all times.
Using pot odds
In order to use the pot odds, you first have to know them for your game. After you calculated your pot odds, they must be evaluated in a direct connection to the value of the cards you are holding. This includes evaluating the hands of the other players too, and making a plan or a statistic of the outcome of your own hand, calculating the chances you can get to have the best hand in the game.
Let's say you are playing hold'em and are currently on the flop, having a flush draw. Your opponent is most likely to have at least a high pair. The cards you should concentrate on are the outs, the nine cards that can give you a flush once you already can see four of the cards that will be used in your flush. The chances to get the card you need on the turn or on the river are of about 35%, or 1:2 for you, so in order to be sure you are making the right choice, you calls on the flop should be made only if they are based on 2:1 pot odds.
The implied odds
The term of implied odds asks for a calculation of the pot you are most likely to win if you do win. The implied odds are relative and dependent on the evaluation that you provide the game with. They are the relation between the actual size of the pot and the expected final size of it. Let's consider one player bets in a limit game $5 and the pot is $20, so if you call your implied pot odds would be of 5:1 because you are betting a fifth of the expected winning. This is where we should tell if your opponent is either going to call or raise later on the game. Then the implied odds can get to 6:1 or 8:1 depending on the future bets that you must predict.
How to Spot a Poker Tells
Tells are one of the most important aspects of poker. They are a big part of the game and very important to get clues and hints about the cards that your opponents hold.
A good poker player knows that the amount of money that his opponent bets on has nothing to do with his cards and that in order to evaluate his opponents situation he must spot tells.
A good experienced player can gather lots of information from tells. Tells are signs that reveal information in many different ways, good players know how to spot them and how to use the information that they revealed for their own benefit.
Another important advantage of knowing how to pick up tells is the ability to avoid giving away your own tells. If you know how common players reveal information by tells you can try to look at yourself while playing and to notice what kind of tells you give and by that to learn how to monitor and avoid it.
There are many tells that experienced poker players can read. Tells are very idiosyncratic so in order to know exactly how to read a player's tell you have to play with the specific player for a long time. In the long run you'll realize that you're familiar with your friend's tells and that you can read them like an open book, but if you're playing against new opponents, here are some of the things that you should look for.
The first thing that you have to look at is the eyes. If you'll watch professional poker tournaments you'll notice that many poker pros are playing with sunglasses or visors. This is because the eyes can reveal lots of information about one's cards. Take a good look at your opponent's eyes, learn how he reacts to different situations and you'll now how to read his tells.
You can also learn a lot from the facial expression on your opponents' face. You can tell if a player is nervous or eager if he has specific facial expressions or 'tics' and you can look for specific smiles or concern if the hands are good or bad.
Look for certain body gestures that can hint on a specific hand. Look for signs of anxiety or distress. There are stimulus responses that even the most experienced players cannot hide, so try to look for those physical changes and to study how the other players respond to different situations.
Try to look for eye pupil dilations, signs of dry throat, sweat, trembling hands and flexing of muscles and changes in the body gestures. Other things that you have to look for are a repetitive glance at the player's chips which might indicate a subconscious reaction to different situations at the poker table. Another thing is that you have to look for is the way the players stack their chips. If you notice a different pattern of stacking it might indicate that the player is under pressure or eager to make his move and win the hand.
There are many different tells that can indicate different reactions to situations at the poker table, but you must remember that you cannot count only on tells and you should use other poker strategies if you want to be a better player. Tells can provide valuable information, but serious players know that this is not enough for the game.
A good poker player knows that the amount of money that his opponent bets on has nothing to do with his cards and that in order to evaluate his opponents situation he must spot tells.
A good experienced player can gather lots of information from tells. Tells are signs that reveal information in many different ways, good players know how to spot them and how to use the information that they revealed for their own benefit.
Another important advantage of knowing how to pick up tells is the ability to avoid giving away your own tells. If you know how common players reveal information by tells you can try to look at yourself while playing and to notice what kind of tells you give and by that to learn how to monitor and avoid it.
There are many tells that experienced poker players can read. Tells are very idiosyncratic so in order to know exactly how to read a player's tell you have to play with the specific player for a long time. In the long run you'll realize that you're familiar with your friend's tells and that you can read them like an open book, but if you're playing against new opponents, here are some of the things that you should look for.
The first thing that you have to look at is the eyes. If you'll watch professional poker tournaments you'll notice that many poker pros are playing with sunglasses or visors. This is because the eyes can reveal lots of information about one's cards. Take a good look at your opponent's eyes, learn how he reacts to different situations and you'll now how to read his tells.
You can also learn a lot from the facial expression on your opponents' face. You can tell if a player is nervous or eager if he has specific facial expressions or 'tics' and you can look for specific smiles or concern if the hands are good or bad.
Look for certain body gestures that can hint on a specific hand. Look for signs of anxiety or distress. There are stimulus responses that even the most experienced players cannot hide, so try to look for those physical changes and to study how the other players respond to different situations.
Try to look for eye pupil dilations, signs of dry throat, sweat, trembling hands and flexing of muscles and changes in the body gestures. Other things that you have to look for are a repetitive glance at the player's chips which might indicate a subconscious reaction to different situations at the poker table. Another thing is that you have to look for is the way the players stack their chips. If you notice a different pattern of stacking it might indicate that the player is under pressure or eager to make his move and win the hand.
There are many different tells that can indicate different reactions to situations at the poker table, but you must remember that you cannot count only on tells and you should use other poker strategies if you want to be a better player. Tells can provide valuable information, but serious players know that this is not enough for the game.
Folding pocket Aces pre-flop. Are you crazy?
Imagine the scenario. You're playing Texas hold'em poker and it's getting towards the latter stages, five players are left and you can smell an in-the-money finish. But you need to get in to the top three and stay there - while your chip stack would be nice if it was bigger.
The blinds are becoming significant and you know you'll have to make your move soon. Out come the cards - miracles of miracles, you look down at your cards and see the magic AA looking back at you. Now, surely this means it's you right to win the hand. Announce "I'm all-in" and become the chip leader. Now, under most circumstances there's no doubt that you should either push in a tasty raise or even all-in with those big aces.
Although remarkable as it may seem, there are times to fold those "pocket rockets" and not see a flop. It takes discipline to do and is all about risk versus reward. We all know that the great starting hands don't come along too often and when they do, a lot of players become married to the hand and can't put it down under any circumstances. The savy player knows when to fold. Here's when to consider very carefully when to muck those aces before the flop.
Back to the scenario. Five players left, you're in fourth place with those Aces screaming at you to push your chips in. But you have the advantage being in last position to act. Two players with bigger stacks than you throw enough chips in the pot to force you all-in if you decide to play. And now the small stack in fifth place takes his chances and goes all-in.
The action is now on you. The urge to splash your chips in to the middle is irresistible. But before you do - this about it for a moment. As things stand, you can fold your aces now with the chance of moving in to third place without risk.
If the player in the hand with the biggest stack wins it, he'll take out the other two with smaller stacks and you instantly get bumped up to third place. And without risking any of your chips which you still have to fight with.
Risk = zero. Reward = third place That's when to fold anything pre-flop, not just aces. Throw anything away at any stage if it means you can move in to the money or higher ranking without risk.
The blinds are becoming significant and you know you'll have to make your move soon. Out come the cards - miracles of miracles, you look down at your cards and see the magic AA looking back at you. Now, surely this means it's you right to win the hand. Announce "I'm all-in" and become the chip leader. Now, under most circumstances there's no doubt that you should either push in a tasty raise or even all-in with those big aces.
Although remarkable as it may seem, there are times to fold those "pocket rockets" and not see a flop. It takes discipline to do and is all about risk versus reward. We all know that the great starting hands don't come along too often and when they do, a lot of players become married to the hand and can't put it down under any circumstances. The savy player knows when to fold. Here's when to consider very carefully when to muck those aces before the flop.
Back to the scenario. Five players left, you're in fourth place with those Aces screaming at you to push your chips in. But you have the advantage being in last position to act. Two players with bigger stacks than you throw enough chips in the pot to force you all-in if you decide to play. And now the small stack in fifth place takes his chances and goes all-in.
The action is now on you. The urge to splash your chips in to the middle is irresistible. But before you do - this about it for a moment. As things stand, you can fold your aces now with the chance of moving in to third place without risk.
If the player in the hand with the biggest stack wins it, he'll take out the other two with smaller stacks and you instantly get bumped up to third place. And without risking any of your chips which you still have to fight with.
Risk = zero. Reward = third place That's when to fold anything pre-flop, not just aces. Throw anything away at any stage if it means you can move in to the money or higher ranking without risk.
Classifications Of Poker Players
When you are playing poker, you will generally notice several different types of poker players. Knowledge of different poker playing styles should lead you to an adjustment of your poker game. Generally, some players you may want to attack right off the bat, others you may want to leave alone.
Here are some of the different players' styles:
Loose
The loose player is someone you need to watch out for. They are characterized by their inexperience and usually play a lot of hands. Seemingly, the loose player is always in the thick of the poker game. Even with a poor hand, he will play until the very end of the game hoping to get some luck with his cards. If you play very aggressive with decent cards, exploiting a loose player shouldn't be that difficult. Most likely, a loose player will likely reward your efforts.
Aggressive Loose
An aggressive loose player raises the pot with nothing and bets no matter what card he has. He always calls bluff at every opportunity and is talkative and brimming with over-confidence. Don't get egoistical around an aggressive-loose player. And don't fall into the trap of playing his game and calling his bets just to expose the weakness of his game. When you have the cards to do so, attack them.
Tight
Compared to an aggressive player, a tight player folds at every hand and waits for pocket Aces. They can easily be lured by a bluff. However, when they see signs of intimidation, they fold. Be cautious, however, if they don't fold.
Aggressive Tight
These type of players are extremely [censored]. Until the aggressive tight player gets a good hand, he will opt to fold several times. When he plays his cards, he tends to play like a loose player. He has knowledge of how to get more money for his strong cards. Likewise, he knows how to take it easy and let the other players on the table do battle when his cards are not good enough. You might be in a bit of luck if you are successful in bluffing an aggressive-tight player into a hand. Don't allow yourself to be played by an Aggressive Tight player.
These are just a few examples of the general classifications of the type of poker players you may encounter at any poker table. Remember. when you are playing poker, you are playing the personality of your opponent more than your card. Master these styles and quickly identify these players during your poker game.
Here are some of the different players' styles:
Loose
The loose player is someone you need to watch out for. They are characterized by their inexperience and usually play a lot of hands. Seemingly, the loose player is always in the thick of the poker game. Even with a poor hand, he will play until the very end of the game hoping to get some luck with his cards. If you play very aggressive with decent cards, exploiting a loose player shouldn't be that difficult. Most likely, a loose player will likely reward your efforts.
Aggressive Loose
An aggressive loose player raises the pot with nothing and bets no matter what card he has. He always calls bluff at every opportunity and is talkative and brimming with over-confidence. Don't get egoistical around an aggressive-loose player. And don't fall into the trap of playing his game and calling his bets just to expose the weakness of his game. When you have the cards to do so, attack them.
Tight
Compared to an aggressive player, a tight player folds at every hand and waits for pocket Aces. They can easily be lured by a bluff. However, when they see signs of intimidation, they fold. Be cautious, however, if they don't fold.
Aggressive Tight
These type of players are extremely [censored]. Until the aggressive tight player gets a good hand, he will opt to fold several times. When he plays his cards, he tends to play like a loose player. He has knowledge of how to get more money for his strong cards. Likewise, he knows how to take it easy and let the other players on the table do battle when his cards are not good enough. You might be in a bit of luck if you are successful in bluffing an aggressive-tight player into a hand. Don't allow yourself to be played by an Aggressive Tight player.
These are just a few examples of the general classifications of the type of poker players you may encounter at any poker table. Remember. when you are playing poker, you are playing the personality of your opponent more than your card. Master these styles and quickly identify these players during your poker game.
Bluffing 101
Bluffing is used to deceive other player's into thinking you have a better hand when you really don't. In order to make the bluff work, you need the other players to think you actually have a better hand by betting or raising.
Bluffing should be done at the right time and done sparingly. Remember, everyone is looking for their own opportunity to bluff. Here are some reason why you shouldn't bluff.
When Not to Bluff
Player's Expect You to Bluff: You were caught bluffing and now labeled as apoor bluffer. Don't stick you hand in the cookie jar until you rebuild your reputation as an honest player, then try to bluff later.
Against Too Many Players: The chances are that someone has a made hand and they'll stick with it.
Against Bad Players: Bad players have no idea what's going on. They'll call you regardless, because they aren't concerned with what you have. They want to improve their own hand, so they'll call just about anything.
You Lost a Series of Hands: Players will expect you to make some crazy moves to make your money back (playing on tilt). They'll be ready to call you down.
Again, bluffing should be used sparingly. Here are some scenarios where a typical bluff should be taken into consideration:
The RIGHT Time to Bluff
Against Weak or Tight Players: Once you have a general idea of how your opponents play, your biggest targets would be pounding the weak and tight players who tend to fold easily. However, bluffing too early won't make them budge; they may not believe you have a better hand or maybe holding a strong hand of their own.
Few Players in the Pot: It's easier to trick a few individuals (1-3) rather than a small group. Fewer hand out there, the chances of someone making a reasonable hand are slim.
Everyone has checked and you're last to act: Betting will force a few players out of the pot, but not all (also known as squeezing). It's pretty common to see someone bluff and bet on the button, so most of the time players will call because they won't believe you have the better hand. It's also a good strategy to see where you stand.
You Bet Preflop and Missed: You're holding an A Q and bet preflop, and the flop comes down K -8 -5 . Other player's may still think your hand is strong because of your bet preflop. So a bet on the flop would make your opponents thinking you've hit nicely on the flop.
Player's Fear You: If you won a hand through a good play, and see your opponent a bit aggravated or show respect by commenting on your hand, then trick them in the future by running the same play that beat them. They will more likely fold to your bluff if you play it right.
Semi-Bluffing
A semi-bluff is a partial bluff with some truth in that play. With a semi bluff, you can either win by them folding right then, by improving to the best hand, or by catching a scare card and betting out on the following round. You should have general knowledge of calculating odds before attempting a semi-bluff. Here are a few examples of when to semi-bluff.
Example 1: You're holding 8 8 in the pocket, someone raises preflop and you call. The flop is a rainbow of 3 - -9 . It's likely your opponent has overcards (AK, KQ, A10). You don't want your opponent to catch any of his cards on the turn of river so bet to get the pot then and there.
Example 2: You are holding a J 10 and the flop comes down as Q -9 -5 . At this point you have an open-ended straight draw and a flush draw. You should be concerned with someone having the king or ace of hearts. So betting at the pot might make them fold or give you an idea of where you stand.
Bluffing should be done at the right time and done sparingly. Remember, everyone is looking for their own opportunity to bluff. Here are some reason why you shouldn't bluff.
When Not to Bluff
Player's Expect You to Bluff: You were caught bluffing and now labeled as apoor bluffer. Don't stick you hand in the cookie jar until you rebuild your reputation as an honest player, then try to bluff later.
Against Too Many Players: The chances are that someone has a made hand and they'll stick with it.
Against Bad Players: Bad players have no idea what's going on. They'll call you regardless, because they aren't concerned with what you have. They want to improve their own hand, so they'll call just about anything.
You Lost a Series of Hands: Players will expect you to make some crazy moves to make your money back (playing on tilt). They'll be ready to call you down.
Again, bluffing should be used sparingly. Here are some scenarios where a typical bluff should be taken into consideration:
The RIGHT Time to Bluff
Against Weak or Tight Players: Once you have a general idea of how your opponents play, your biggest targets would be pounding the weak and tight players who tend to fold easily. However, bluffing too early won't make them budge; they may not believe you have a better hand or maybe holding a strong hand of their own.
Few Players in the Pot: It's easier to trick a few individuals (1-3) rather than a small group. Fewer hand out there, the chances of someone making a reasonable hand are slim.
Everyone has checked and you're last to act: Betting will force a few players out of the pot, but not all (also known as squeezing). It's pretty common to see someone bluff and bet on the button, so most of the time players will call because they won't believe you have the better hand. It's also a good strategy to see where you stand.
You Bet Preflop and Missed: You're holding an A Q and bet preflop, and the flop comes down K -8 -5 . Other player's may still think your hand is strong because of your bet preflop. So a bet on the flop would make your opponents thinking you've hit nicely on the flop.
Player's Fear You: If you won a hand through a good play, and see your opponent a bit aggravated or show respect by commenting on your hand, then trick them in the future by running the same play that beat them. They will more likely fold to your bluff if you play it right.
Semi-Bluffing
A semi-bluff is a partial bluff with some truth in that play. With a semi bluff, you can either win by them folding right then, by improving to the best hand, or by catching a scare card and betting out on the following round. You should have general knowledge of calculating odds before attempting a semi-bluff. Here are a few examples of when to semi-bluff.
Example 1: You're holding 8 8 in the pocket, someone raises preflop and you call. The flop is a rainbow of 3 - -9 . It's likely your opponent has overcards (AK, KQ, A10). You don't want your opponent to catch any of his cards on the turn of river so bet to get the pot then and there.
Example 2: You are holding a J 10 and the flop comes down as Q -9 -5 . At this point you have an open-ended straight draw and a flush draw. You should be concerned with someone having the king or ace of hearts. So betting at the pot might make them fold or give you an idea of where you stand.
Poker Strategy: Play Patiently
A common error made by many novice (and a shockingly high amount of those who should know better) players is feeling the need to participate on every hand dealt. A successful player only plays 20-30% of dealt hands. Much like a professional baseball player who is able to sign a multimillion dollar contract by maintaining a batting average of .300, the successful poker player knows that the majority of the time another player will walk away with the pot.
With that in mind it is important to play aggressively once you get a hand that you are confident in. Remember, 70% of the time other players are ready to fold in search of a hand that they think favors them! Be ready to force the weak players out with your aggressive bets. If you are confident you have the strongest hand in the game, raise the bet! The main reason for being aggressive is to have those with weak hands fold early on, as some tend to hang on looking for the miracle draw to win the hand. By forcing their hand early you are lowering the chance of those miracle hands and also ensuring you win the pot. It is always better to win a smaller pot than take a chance that another players draws that miracle hand late in the game.
Your table image is also very important. Build a strong table image by not bluffing early in your play. Bluffing early marks you as a bluffer and people will call your bluff 100% of the time. Play good cards and throw away junk cards, have the other players at the table see you are only playing strong hands. This sets up the opportunity for you to use a good bluff later in the game as you have conditioned the others players into thinking that when you raise you have the cards to win the hand.
Studying other players and their betting behavior is equally as important. It is too easy to get wrapped up in your own game and miss the "tells" the other players may be exhibiting. Knowing if they bet aggressively or typically call with a strong hand empowers you and your betting decisions.
Most important of all is know when to quit! You should always be sharp and focused when at the betting table. Fatigue leads to mental errors and ends up costing you money. Frustration is another sign that you are ready to call it a night, or at least take a break.
Play smart and you will win smart.
With that in mind it is important to play aggressively once you get a hand that you are confident in. Remember, 70% of the time other players are ready to fold in search of a hand that they think favors them! Be ready to force the weak players out with your aggressive bets. If you are confident you have the strongest hand in the game, raise the bet! The main reason for being aggressive is to have those with weak hands fold early on, as some tend to hang on looking for the miracle draw to win the hand. By forcing their hand early you are lowering the chance of those miracle hands and also ensuring you win the pot. It is always better to win a smaller pot than take a chance that another players draws that miracle hand late in the game.
Your table image is also very important. Build a strong table image by not bluffing early in your play. Bluffing early marks you as a bluffer and people will call your bluff 100% of the time. Play good cards and throw away junk cards, have the other players at the table see you are only playing strong hands. This sets up the opportunity for you to use a good bluff later in the game as you have conditioned the others players into thinking that when you raise you have the cards to win the hand.
Studying other players and their betting behavior is equally as important. It is too easy to get wrapped up in your own game and miss the "tells" the other players may be exhibiting. Knowing if they bet aggressively or typically call with a strong hand empowers you and your betting decisions.
Most important of all is know when to quit! You should always be sharp and focused when at the betting table. Fatigue leads to mental errors and ends up costing you money. Frustration is another sign that you are ready to call it a night, or at least take a break.
Play smart and you will win smart.
Position While Playing Poker
Maximizing your position can make you a lot of money in stimulus. The difference between an A-9 under the gun and an A-9 on the switch is huge when you understand the importance of quivering take. While presentation the following, take up that you are at a full ten person stall flaming NL Hold'em.
1. Take the Lead:
By and large, the principal fixation that you want to do when you arrive a hand is broadcast a memorandum of strength to the diagram. You do this by taking the lead, or form yourself as the major plunger in the hand. It is stress-free to take the lead in a hand when you are in late station (on the button, or among the last few to act pre-flop) because you get to bet after each and every one else. It follows that when you are in prompt opinion (major to act pre-flop or among the leading few) it can be very difficult to take the lead in a hand because there are so many players left to act after you. Every player who acts after you is a probable re-elevation, so when you are unsteady from immediate point you want to be in actual fact well thought-out with peripheral close like A-8, A-9, K-J because you are one re-advance away from a gummy job.
Once you have been re-raised, you have lost the lead in the hand and are no longer submit an application pressure to your opponent - you are commerce with the pressure they are applying to you. Remember that whip is a game of forcing your opponent into difficult decisions and evading difficult decisions of your own. Aces are Aces, and whether you pick them up under the gun or on the pin you beyond doubt be trembling. Premium impending are not the question here, mediocre about to happen are.
While a lot novice dramatis personae lose money on wavering mediocre hands from timely attitude, so too do a lot of exceedingly conservative company charlatan themselves by not playing the K-J on the key for a increase. When you are late to act, use that to your help! Is an A-8 or a K-J an tremendous chosen? Probably not. But by floating with it when you have thinking, you are putting other players to the test and intriguing the lead in the hand.
2. Keep the Lead:
Once you have taken the lead in a hand, keep it! After the flop hits it is more or less always a good idea to bet no concern what the boarding delightfulness like. This is christened a protraction bet because you are current the push of your pre-flop raid. Continuation bets are very important because they accomplish two things.
First, you give yourself another coincidental to win the pot by putting your opponent to another resolve. Second, you broadcast a significance to the desk that says, "If you want to play with me, it may well be for all of your currency." What do you do when you have raised on the push button and been termed by the big blind who has now bet out after the flop? First affair you want to do is size up your opponent. Is this a snug player? Is this a loose player? Once you have established some workable on the way they could be holding, then you have two decisions surely: fold or re-promotion. Unless you have flopped a massive like a nut pure or full house and are air to trap, vocation is a bad idea from late side on the flop.
When you call from late view after the flop, you have lost the lead in the hand. So while that bet might be easy to call, what are you current to do on the turn when he bets out again? And the waterway? You re-take the lead in the hand by re-rising which gives you more ways to win. And if you feel perturbed nearly the whole object, just fold, don't put yourself in a submissive site where you are bleeding chips by occupation. That said, many troupe will call the bet on the flop looking to come over the top on the turn. Don't be faulty, if you call on the flop you should be con it to set up a play later in the hand, not because you think you have the best hand. If you think you have the best hand after the flop, and you don't at present have the nuts, it's practically without question a good idea to bet strapping.
3. The Power of Playing Pre-Flop for Post-Flop:
Say you are under the gun and you pick up little Jacks. Naturally, you raise. The bend around to the [censored] who re-elevation. A lot of performers rarity out in this perception because they amount the re-raiser has at slightest two overcards, and may perhaps very clearly have an . But Jacks is the fourth part best early hand in Hold'em so it's very hard to coverlet away.
What to do? As in all setting at the stick chart, personage out who is putting you to the test primary. If this is an extremely conservative player with a lot more cash than you, then maybe you can regard as a fold. Otherwise, time to go to war. If you were to come over the top just now and re-re-rise, unless the guy is amulet-cold blag, chances are he's moneymaking all-in and then it's off to the exercises. Rather than come over the top, here is where you can use creature in early standpoint to your plus - bring to mind that you get to act chief after the flop. Call the pre-flop bet and then go all-in on the flop no subject what it take along. This way, if your opponent had AK and lost the flop, he's existing to have a tough time mission but if you were both by now all-in, he has two more postcard to suck out on you. Likewise, if he had Queens or Kings and the flop brought an Ace. Even if he look up and has you beat, you were planning on present all-in pre-flop and you just gave yourself an added way to win without having to argument.
4. Trapping, or Letting Someone Hang Themselves:
Trapping is insignificant weakness with an extremely fervent hand, in the club to draw your opponent into the pot. A chic trap is profession the big blind pre-flop with pocket-sized Aces in the optimism that star hits to some degree on the flop. While many actors will attempt to trap like that, it can be a very hazardous endeavor. First of all, Aces are by no means more than a 90% pre-flop pet and while that may complete like a lot, that revenue that on normal, 1 out of every 10 times you shootout with them you are untaken to lose. You can be inviting tragedy by work or checkered with Rockets. On the other hand, let's say that you have a full house. You are holding J-10 and the flop came 10-J-J. You have the best on the cards hand and are nearly definitely open to win the pot.
Now your job is to get as many bread into the middle as possible. From late spot, a trap can be pretty simple - just do at all the guy in primary rank does until the watercourse. If he bets, just call. If he plaid, plaid. Send him the hallucination of weakness and hope he gets crotchety. Once the tributary hits, if he checked, bet approximately that you think he can call, a so-baptized "significance bet". If he bets out, give him a re-increase that you think he can call. Trapping can be a trivial slyly from speedy positions more than ever if you play good insistent crop. If you have raised or bet the last five times you've seen a flop, then all of a sudden you are crisscross - company might think that somewhat is up. But you don't want to alert away the other people in the pot - what to do? I say bet out on the flop, specially if you have been shaky good bellicose poker. If you keep defiance of gravity, at some point, big shot is ready to come over the top of you. Hopefully, that time is when you have a full house. Besides, who is available to give an assertive player credit for striking a flop that reads 10 J J? If big name does come over the top of you, it's best to call and then patterned the turn.
Keep kindly your opponent the deception of the lead, it's so-called "Giving somebody the rope to hang with". Now, if they monitor your crisscross on the turn with a suspicious checkered of their own, you must keep to bet out at the stream because you do need to get more chips into the pot one way or another. Take care when trimming, make sure you in truth do have a huge. Too often troupe come over the top with Aces on a 4 8 Q flop only to be titled by a minor blind holding Q-8.
5. Location, Location, Location:
Sometimes the most important pose you have at the table is to the other performers not the badge. If the guy desk to your left is a maniac raising every single pot, then you can use that to your pro. Call, or limp in pre-flop, in the family way to tempt a promotion out of him. If he falls for it, go over the top. If you have a truly conservative player sitting to your right, try calling pre-flop then profitable over the top after the flop. Conservative players in the main will not go all-in with less than an overpair, so a post-flop over the top bet can be very effective.
Use your place to your lead. Raising in late posture with a Q-10 can force out small pocket duo and even mediocre Aces, while a call from premature policy can set you up to direct at the pot after the flop. Every seat at the prod stand now a sole set of advantages from gambling location to qualified player arrangement - it's up to you to take advantage of on them.
1. Take the Lead:
By and large, the principal fixation that you want to do when you arrive a hand is broadcast a memorandum of strength to the diagram. You do this by taking the lead, or form yourself as the major plunger in the hand. It is stress-free to take the lead in a hand when you are in late station (on the button, or among the last few to act pre-flop) because you get to bet after each and every one else. It follows that when you are in prompt opinion (major to act pre-flop or among the leading few) it can be very difficult to take the lead in a hand because there are so many players left to act after you. Every player who acts after you is a probable re-elevation, so when you are unsteady from immediate point you want to be in actual fact well thought-out with peripheral close like A-8, A-9, K-J because you are one re-advance away from a gummy job.
Once you have been re-raised, you have lost the lead in the hand and are no longer submit an application pressure to your opponent - you are commerce with the pressure they are applying to you. Remember that whip is a game of forcing your opponent into difficult decisions and evading difficult decisions of your own. Aces are Aces, and whether you pick them up under the gun or on the pin you beyond doubt be trembling. Premium impending are not the question here, mediocre about to happen are.
While a lot novice dramatis personae lose money on wavering mediocre hands from timely attitude, so too do a lot of exceedingly conservative company charlatan themselves by not playing the K-J on the key for a increase. When you are late to act, use that to your help! Is an A-8 or a K-J an tremendous chosen? Probably not. But by floating with it when you have thinking, you are putting other players to the test and intriguing the lead in the hand.
2. Keep the Lead:
Once you have taken the lead in a hand, keep it! After the flop hits it is more or less always a good idea to bet no concern what the boarding delightfulness like. This is christened a protraction bet because you are current the push of your pre-flop raid. Continuation bets are very important because they accomplish two things.
First, you give yourself another coincidental to win the pot by putting your opponent to another resolve. Second, you broadcast a significance to the desk that says, "If you want to play with me, it may well be for all of your currency." What do you do when you have raised on the push button and been termed by the big blind who has now bet out after the flop? First affair you want to do is size up your opponent. Is this a snug player? Is this a loose player? Once you have established some workable on the way they could be holding, then you have two decisions surely: fold or re-promotion. Unless you have flopped a massive like a nut pure or full house and are air to trap, vocation is a bad idea from late side on the flop.
When you call from late view after the flop, you have lost the lead in the hand. So while that bet might be easy to call, what are you current to do on the turn when he bets out again? And the waterway? You re-take the lead in the hand by re-rising which gives you more ways to win. And if you feel perturbed nearly the whole object, just fold, don't put yourself in a submissive site where you are bleeding chips by occupation. That said, many troupe will call the bet on the flop looking to come over the top on the turn. Don't be faulty, if you call on the flop you should be con it to set up a play later in the hand, not because you think you have the best hand. If you think you have the best hand after the flop, and you don't at present have the nuts, it's practically without question a good idea to bet strapping.
3. The Power of Playing Pre-Flop for Post-Flop:
Say you are under the gun and you pick up little Jacks. Naturally, you raise. The bend around to the [censored] who re-elevation. A lot of performers rarity out in this perception because they amount the re-raiser has at slightest two overcards, and may perhaps very clearly have an . But Jacks is the fourth part best early hand in Hold'em so it's very hard to coverlet away.
What to do? As in all setting at the stick chart, personage out who is putting you to the test primary. If this is an extremely conservative player with a lot more cash than you, then maybe you can regard as a fold. Otherwise, time to go to war. If you were to come over the top just now and re-re-rise, unless the guy is amulet-cold blag, chances are he's moneymaking all-in and then it's off to the exercises. Rather than come over the top, here is where you can use creature in early standpoint to your plus - bring to mind that you get to act chief after the flop. Call the pre-flop bet and then go all-in on the flop no subject what it take along. This way, if your opponent had AK and lost the flop, he's existing to have a tough time mission but if you were both by now all-in, he has two more postcard to suck out on you. Likewise, if he had Queens or Kings and the flop brought an Ace. Even if he look up and has you beat, you were planning on present all-in pre-flop and you just gave yourself an added way to win without having to argument.
4. Trapping, or Letting Someone Hang Themselves:
Trapping is insignificant weakness with an extremely fervent hand, in the club to draw your opponent into the pot. A chic trap is profession the big blind pre-flop with pocket-sized Aces in the optimism that star hits to some degree on the flop. While many actors will attempt to trap like that, it can be a very hazardous endeavor. First of all, Aces are by no means more than a 90% pre-flop pet and while that may complete like a lot, that revenue that on normal, 1 out of every 10 times you shootout with them you are untaken to lose. You can be inviting tragedy by work or checkered with Rockets. On the other hand, let's say that you have a full house. You are holding J-10 and the flop came 10-J-J. You have the best on the cards hand and are nearly definitely open to win the pot.
Now your job is to get as many bread into the middle as possible. From late spot, a trap can be pretty simple - just do at all the guy in primary rank does until the watercourse. If he bets, just call. If he plaid, plaid. Send him the hallucination of weakness and hope he gets crotchety. Once the tributary hits, if he checked, bet approximately that you think he can call, a so-baptized "significance bet". If he bets out, give him a re-increase that you think he can call. Trapping can be a trivial slyly from speedy positions more than ever if you play good insistent crop. If you have raised or bet the last five times you've seen a flop, then all of a sudden you are crisscross - company might think that somewhat is up. But you don't want to alert away the other people in the pot - what to do? I say bet out on the flop, specially if you have been shaky good bellicose poker. If you keep defiance of gravity, at some point, big shot is ready to come over the top of you. Hopefully, that time is when you have a full house. Besides, who is available to give an assertive player credit for striking a flop that reads 10 J J? If big name does come over the top of you, it's best to call and then patterned the turn.
Keep kindly your opponent the deception of the lead, it's so-called "Giving somebody the rope to hang with". Now, if they monitor your crisscross on the turn with a suspicious checkered of their own, you must keep to bet out at the stream because you do need to get more chips into the pot one way or another. Take care when trimming, make sure you in truth do have a huge. Too often troupe come over the top with Aces on a 4 8 Q flop only to be titled by a minor blind holding Q-8.
5. Location, Location, Location:
Sometimes the most important pose you have at the table is to the other performers not the badge. If the guy desk to your left is a maniac raising every single pot, then you can use that to your pro. Call, or limp in pre-flop, in the family way to tempt a promotion out of him. If he falls for it, go over the top. If you have a truly conservative player sitting to your right, try calling pre-flop then profitable over the top after the flop. Conservative players in the main will not go all-in with less than an overpair, so a post-flop over the top bet can be very effective.
Use your place to your lead. Raising in late posture with a Q-10 can force out small pocket duo and even mediocre Aces, while a call from premature policy can set you up to direct at the pot after the flop. Every seat at the prod stand now a sole set of advantages from gambling location to qualified player arrangement - it's up to you to take advantage of on them.
Playing Small And Medium Pocket Pairs Tips
There are many different theories out there as to how to play small and medium pocket pairs in Texas Hold'em, but one thing is clear: a lot of players make crucial errors with these hands that end up costing them dearly in tournaments and cash games. These starting hands, pocket deuces all the way up to pocket tens, are undoubtedly very tricky and there is no one right way to play them. As with most strategic or theoretical discussions of poker the context of the hand is all-important. How many players are in the pot? How many players are left to act? What is their style of play? What is your status at the table in terms of chips, previous play, and your general table image? And those questions barely scrape the surface in terms of what you need to consider before you act.
Broadly speaking, however, we can say the following when it comes to these hole cards - the most common mistakes made when playing pairs is a tendency to be too aggressive or the exact opposite, namely to muck them without a fight. These hands are often worth a speculative bet because they do have tremendous potential value. If you are in a multi-way pot with aggressive players a small pair can be a lethal weapon. Hitting a set on the flop is not only likely to be the best hand, but also is so well disguised from the rest of the table that you are likely to get paid off for having the best hand.
In no-limit hold'em small and medium pocket pairs can help you take down monster pots if you isolate a single opponent who happens to hold a premium hand that isn't a pair. A lot of poker players will happily get all their chips in the middle when they hold big slick or even AQ and AJ. If you challenge those hands with 88 or 66 you are ahead, although only slightly, and these type of races are certainly very common to see. Neither player has made a mistake, but both have taken a serious risk. The problem for players who hold the small or medium pair is that they could easily be dominated by a bigger pair. A lot of players behave the same way with AK as they do with AA, so when you have a small pair it is very tough to call that type of opponent. It is interesting to note that many players are far more aggressive pre-flop with AK than they are with a genuinely big hand (AA,KK,QQ), either because they are very confident that their hand is worth whatever they have in front of them (a misguided view) or because they don't really want anyone playing back at them. It's not quite a semi-bluff because AK can potentially be a very powerful hand, but often the easiest way to win with this hand is to make everyone else fold pre-flop.
In limit games it is generally unwise to push too hard pre-flop with small or medium pairs, but it is hardly ever correct to fold these hands pre-flop either. The issue here is that in a loose limit game your pre-flop raise will not scare anyone so you will still likely need to hit your set at some point in order to have a fighting chance of winning the pot. You are better off playing those pocket pairs cautiously, calling and playing passively (especially if there is a lot of action and several live hands) and taking a wait-and-see approach. The implied pot odds of hitting your hand definitely dictate that folding would be the wrong play, at least in limit hold'em games. There are times when you will be forced to lay down these hands. If you have a healthy stack and an opponent makes a huge bet in no-limit hold'em there is no reason to look him up. The best-case scenario is that you are in one of those races where you are a slight favorite, but you could easily be dominated. Isolating an opponent when you hold a small pair is an ideal strategy when your own back is to the wall - for example, you are short-stacked in a tournament.
The beauty of small and medium pocket pairs is that they enable good poker players to be very creative. You can switch gears with a hand like this at a moment's notice. Say you are in the big blind with 77. Five players limp in before you and now the action is on you. It is a good situation for a strong player because depending on the context of the hand she can either limp in as well, hoping to hit a magical third 7, or she might push right now and win the hand before the flop can be dealt. It is very tough for those limpers to call a huge bet by the big blind unless they were slow-playing a monster (which does happen!)
More serious errors are committed with these hands after the flop, but rarely by good players who know what they are doing.
There is no crime in giving up on these hands if you miss the flop. The hope of spiking a set on the turn or the river is unlikely to be supported by the pot odds you're getting, but if there is crazy action and you're in a limit game it can of course be correct to wait and try to do just that. You should also keep in mind that opponents tend to stay in hands with high cards so if there is paint on the flop it is doubtful that you still hold the best hand - and you may have been behind from the outset, which is why playing those little pocket 44's can be so trying!
Broadly speaking, however, we can say the following when it comes to these hole cards - the most common mistakes made when playing pairs is a tendency to be too aggressive or the exact opposite, namely to muck them without a fight. These hands are often worth a speculative bet because they do have tremendous potential value. If you are in a multi-way pot with aggressive players a small pair can be a lethal weapon. Hitting a set on the flop is not only likely to be the best hand, but also is so well disguised from the rest of the table that you are likely to get paid off for having the best hand.
In no-limit hold'em small and medium pocket pairs can help you take down monster pots if you isolate a single opponent who happens to hold a premium hand that isn't a pair. A lot of poker players will happily get all their chips in the middle when they hold big slick or even AQ and AJ. If you challenge those hands with 88 or 66 you are ahead, although only slightly, and these type of races are certainly very common to see. Neither player has made a mistake, but both have taken a serious risk. The problem for players who hold the small or medium pair is that they could easily be dominated by a bigger pair. A lot of players behave the same way with AK as they do with AA, so when you have a small pair it is very tough to call that type of opponent. It is interesting to note that many players are far more aggressive pre-flop with AK than they are with a genuinely big hand (AA,KK,QQ), either because they are very confident that their hand is worth whatever they have in front of them (a misguided view) or because they don't really want anyone playing back at them. It's not quite a semi-bluff because AK can potentially be a very powerful hand, but often the easiest way to win with this hand is to make everyone else fold pre-flop.
In limit games it is generally unwise to push too hard pre-flop with small or medium pairs, but it is hardly ever correct to fold these hands pre-flop either. The issue here is that in a loose limit game your pre-flop raise will not scare anyone so you will still likely need to hit your set at some point in order to have a fighting chance of winning the pot. You are better off playing those pocket pairs cautiously, calling and playing passively (especially if there is a lot of action and several live hands) and taking a wait-and-see approach. The implied pot odds of hitting your hand definitely dictate that folding would be the wrong play, at least in limit hold'em games. There are times when you will be forced to lay down these hands. If you have a healthy stack and an opponent makes a huge bet in no-limit hold'em there is no reason to look him up. The best-case scenario is that you are in one of those races where you are a slight favorite, but you could easily be dominated. Isolating an opponent when you hold a small pair is an ideal strategy when your own back is to the wall - for example, you are short-stacked in a tournament.
The beauty of small and medium pocket pairs is that they enable good poker players to be very creative. You can switch gears with a hand like this at a moment's notice. Say you are in the big blind with 77. Five players limp in before you and now the action is on you. It is a good situation for a strong player because depending on the context of the hand she can either limp in as well, hoping to hit a magical third 7, or she might push right now and win the hand before the flop can be dealt. It is very tough for those limpers to call a huge bet by the big blind unless they were slow-playing a monster (which does happen!)
More serious errors are committed with these hands after the flop, but rarely by good players who know what they are doing.
There is no crime in giving up on these hands if you miss the flop. The hope of spiking a set on the turn or the river is unlikely to be supported by the pot odds you're getting, but if there is crazy action and you're in a limit game it can of course be correct to wait and try to do just that. You should also keep in mind that opponents tend to stay in hands with high cards so if there is paint on the flop it is doubtful that you still hold the best hand - and you may have been behind from the outset, which is why playing those little pocket 44's can be so trying!
Texas Hold'em Poker Tips - Low Pairs
In a perfect world, we would
all get high pairs as starting hands, but, in truth, that rarely happens. What
players will see more often are lower pairs of cards. For newer players, a pair
of anything looks pretty good, but be careful, especially if you are playing
for real money, when it comes to low pairs.
But what if you are holding a small pair and you are at the far end of the table line? Perhaps you are in the blinds (either the big blind or the small blind) or perhaps you are on the Button itself. What do you do in that case?
It's important to understand that you have about a 12% chance of hitting your set on the flop. Another way of looking at this is you have about a 1-in-8 chance of getting that third card on the flop. The odds of getting that third card to fill your set decrease dramatically after the flop. In fact, the odds of seeing that third card by the River are only about 9%. These statistics apply to all pairs and not just to small pairs.
So, if you are holding a small pair use common sense and watch your betting. Try to see the flop as cheaply as possible. If you hit your set on the flop, then go for it! If you do not hit your set on the flop, consider folding before putting anymore money into the pot. More often than not, you will be glad you did.
In general, there are no hard
and fast rules that say what constitutes a low pair. For my own reasons, I
consider anything below a 6 to be a low pair. As you gain experience and learn
your own style of play you will be able to set your own standards as to what is
a low pair and what is not.
One of the most useful tips
that I can share with new players is this: 90% of the time (and this is
especially true if you are holding a low pair of pre-flop cards) you want to
see a cheap flop. What I mean by this is you want to see the flop for as little
of your money invested as possible. Put another way, if you're holding a pair
of 3's you want to see the flop but you do NOT want to put in a lot of money
(by calling big bets or raising) in order to see that flop.
The key to remember is that a
low pair has potential for becoming a huge hand if you pick up a set (another
card matching yours comes up, giving you three-of-a-kind) or a quad (two
matching cards come up on the flop, giving you four-of-a-kind) or a full-house,
but the important word here is potential. Until you see the flop all you have
is a lowly pair, and in a ten-handed game and even in a seven-handed game, that
generally isn't worth very much, and the lower the cards, the less they are
worth. Keep in mind that a pair of 4's will beat that pair of 3's.
Again, we come back to
position play and why it is important to always know where you are in relation
to the Button. If you are the first person to act (meaning, you are first to
either call the blind and play or fold) you must exercise caution. In fact,
this is true with low pairs if you are seated anywhere on the first half of the
table. The reason for this is simple. If you are the first to play (or even the
second, third, or fourth) all the others players behind you will have the
option to raise the bet, forcing you to put even more money in before seeing
the flop. If you are playing with aggressive betters, the cost can skyrocket in
no time at all. Now if you are sitting there (pre-flop) with a pair of King's
or a pair of Ace's you might welcome that aggressive betting. But with a small
pair in your hand, it can spell doom, real quick.
It is worth repeating. The
key to playing small pairs is to see the flop for as little money as possible.
A well-disciplined player will happily fold a small pair if the betting becomes
too rich. Why will they do this? Experienced players will reason that
aggressive betting before the flop usually (not always, but usually) represents
a player with a strong hand, and in many cases, it may be two or three players
with strong hands.But what if you are holding a small pair and you are at the far end of the table line? Perhaps you are in the blinds (either the big blind or the small blind) or perhaps you are on the Button itself. What do you do in that case?
Well, it depends. If everyone
else has folded, you would want to call the blind and see a flop. If only one
or two earlier players have called the blinds (but not raised) you may want to
go ahead and call yourself to see the flop as well. However, if one player has
made a big raise or if several other players have called and or raised, then
you go with your gut, and in most cases, your gut should be saying,
"Fold".
If you are in the blinds and
can see the flop for a small additional amount of money, then go for it. If you
hit your set, you will be in a very good position to probably win the hand. If
you don't hit your set on the flop, it is time to think hard about folding your
hand unless the other players check and you can check as well. If you can see a
free card, see one.It's important to understand that you have about a 12% chance of hitting your set on the flop. Another way of looking at this is you have about a 1-in-8 chance of getting that third card on the flop. The odds of getting that third card to fill your set decrease dramatically after the flop. In fact, the odds of seeing that third card by the River are only about 9%. These statistics apply to all pairs and not just to small pairs.
So, if you are holding a small pair use common sense and watch your betting. Try to see the flop as cheaply as possible. If you hit your set on the flop, then go for it! If you do not hit your set on the flop, consider folding before putting anymore money into the pot. More often than not, you will be glad you did.
Texas Holdem Advanced Strategy: Aggressive Betting
How many times have you been
dealt a AA, KK, QQ and called the bet or checked figuring you will limp in and
build up the pot, only to lose when someone else beats you with a better hand.
If anyone says it never happened to them...they are either lying or had Texas
Holdem figured out from the start. This is a novice mistake and we will look
into how to prevent this from happening. For this article, we will focus on
no-limit Texas Holdem. Limit Texas Holdem relies more on odds and less on
bluffing and strategy.
The worst thing you can do
when you have a strong hand is call or check. The best thing to do is raise
pre-flop. I usually will double or triple the minimum bet (depending on the
maximum bet and my chips). You are probably thinking "Won't everyone
fold?" The answer to this is yes, some will. But if you want to win the
pot, play the odds. The less the players, the better chance you have to win the
pot. Chances are you will have 2 or 3 players that will stay in the game at
this point. If someone re-raises you, this is where you need to read your
opponents. If the opponent has a history of folding often, then they probably
have a pretty strong hand. Keep a close eye on how this opponent plays the hand.
If the opponent has a history of playing most hands, then you know this person
can have anything in their hand. With an AA, KK or QQ, I would still probably
call the opponents raise unless the raise is too large. At this point, you need
to check your stack size to see how much it will hurt you if you lose.
After the flop, this is where
you analyze your next bet. If you get a flop that doesn't help you and probably
doesn't help your opponent (ie. 3c,6d,10h), you know your hand is still pretty
strong, and I would match or increase my pre-flop bet. There is a chance your
opponent has a 3 of a kind but this is where you need to know the history of
your opponent. If the opponent is someone who folds often and matches or raises
your bet, think before you bet. If you have a flop with suited or connected
cards and one of your opponents either bets or raises, chances are they have or
are going for a straight or flush. Read your opponents and if you feel the flop
could help them and it didn't help you, you may want to fold. Normally if the
flop doesn't help me, I will fold unless I have a strong set of pocket cards to
work with. There are times I won't fold if I get a bad flop, but this is where
the art of bluffing comes in and will be discussed in a future article. If you
get a 3 of kind with ace, king or queens...I would bet large! Normally people
will fold and the pot is yours.
I know a lot of people don't
recommend betting on the river (5th community card), but if I have a flush, ace
high and there is no chance for a full house by an opponent, I will bet large
here. This will either make the opponent(s) fold and let me steal the pot or
increase the chips in the top. Be prepared if you do this, many players get
upset and will send you a nasty chat message, don't worry about it. Your only
concern is winning the pot.
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