Texas Hold'em is in essence a
high card game. The higher your hole cards, the better your
chances of winning the hand. As more community cards become
available, the odds will change, but if you’re dealt two
high cards, you should certainly buy-in to the flop if
nobody has made any big raises.
As a general rule, at the
pre-flop stage only play your stronger hands that give you
an opportunity to raise/re-raise from an early betting
position. Play a medium strength hand or another playable
hand if you have a decent chance of seeing the flop at a
reasonable betting price. Do not get caught entering a hand
and seeing it to the flop if your hand is weak and the
betting has gone array.
Poker is as much about
playing the game as it is about playing the player. If your
opponent is playing very timidly and tightly, take advantage
of that by stealing blinds, playing aggressively when the
position is to your advantage. When you are dealt strong
hands, take all the raises you can get. Try not to let the
cat out of the bag too early, let players bet into you.
Remember that if there are several players around the table,
a small pre-flop bet that is called by everyone at the table
amounts to a decent little pot if you scoop the hand and is
very little commitment on your part.
However, depending on your
position and the strength of your hand, playing aggressively
from the start can be to your advantage. Placing large bets
and forcing players with weaker hands to fold will increase
your chances of winning the pot. This aggressive play will
also add credibility to any strong play you make after the
flop, so even if your hand is not the nut hand, your strong
consistent play may give you an opportunity to steal the
hand. Just remember, if people are betting strongly against
you, only follow if you have a very good chance of winning
the hand. Pay close attention to the flop, make sure you
are aware of all the possibilities, and be prepared to fold
your pair of Aces if there’s too much action or too many
possible big hands with the community cards.
Be wary of straights and
flushes. If there are possibilities on the board, remember
that you are not the only one who may have that straight or
flush. For example if there are 4 diamonds on the table and
you have a diamond, don’t be too hasty to bet large amounts
unless your diamond is a high one. If a 7, 8, 9, 10 flops
and you are holding a 6, you may well have the weakest
straight so don’t be too eager to bet if there is too much
action.
Unconnected medium and low
cards are usually unplayable. Do not make a habit of
attempting to make a miracle out of low unconnected value
cards. Fishing for these types of hands is going to cost
you more money than you will win, in the long run.
Play low pairs very
cautiously. Pairs of 6's down to 2's are not necessarily a
strong hand without a third card of equal value. If you
don't flop a third card for three of a kind, the smart
option would be to fold.
Play aggressively when you
have a two way draw after the flop. If you can make a
straight AND a flush or three of a kind, it’s wise to
bet/raise your hand.
Always be aware of all
possible hands with the community cards available. If you
have the highest pair on the table but a straight or flush
looks likely, don’t get too attached to your hand. The
number one rule in Poker is knowing when to fold. Remember
that you can also use this to your advantage – if a straight
or flush looks likely and you feel confident none of your
opponents have the hand, that may be a good pot-stealing
opportunity. Position is everything in a situation like
that – you want to be the last to play your hand.
Be cognisant of the raisers
chips. Players that are close to all-in often rush the
betting just to get all their chips in a last chance all or
nothing hand.
It is good to be caught
bluffing every so often. It is a calculated way to throw
your opponents off guard and will ensure that your play is
unpredictable. If your bluff works, you win a pot you don’t
deserve; if it doesn’t work, you lose a few chips but it
will get you calls from weaker hands at some point when you
have a strong hand and need other players to give you
action. From time to time I will show my cards if I pull
off an outrageous bluff; it will certainly get players riled
up and throw them off their game.
Study your opponents when you
are not playing hands and can pay very close attention to
their habits. Ask yourself whether they find more hands to
play than they fold? Do they bluff? Can they be
bluffed/timid style of play? You can always make notes
about a player within the InterPoker software if you
discover a certain trend that may be useful to you should
you come up against that player again in the future
