TEXAS HOLDEM POKER GAME

The secret of Texas Hold'em is in five words: selection of starting hands. Much has been written on the subject, and despite the advice that I now give you, know that they apply mainly to small stakes. The higher stakes, you'll have to sleep more often!

Let's be clear: you're going to bed at least two out of three hands, as they are not worth the trouble and will make you lose money. The counterpart is that the biggest qualities of a poker player are patience. He plays few hands but gains most of those he plays. That is the secret.

We will see later that it is important to play at tables where most players are not as good as you. Online there is a quick way to find out. But even before this, you must learn to play well before the flop. In any case it is not enough to make you a winner, but this learning you'll be sure to be a loser.

Paradoxically strategy pre-flop in Hold'em is easy to describe and technically easy to implement, but mentally it's very difficult! It takes a lot of practice, discipline and patience.

In terms of position (but I will return later) the best place is one that is closest to the last player to act (Hold'em, the closest to the button). Indeed, this is where you as much information on your opponents' hands (since you have spoken before). That is what will allow you either to maximize the amount you will win, or (and even almost more importantly) to minimize the amount you will lose. Basic example: everyone checked (free card). You talk in the last: by opening you can lay the table and "steal the pot."

The big challenge is to pass the time while waiting for the big cards, and especially while waiting to be in the position called "late" (you say "later" = in the last, or as close to the button) . What to do in the meantime?

Personally I watch others play, and I try to learn as much. Some players never play draws (a bit in my case). Others enter the blows with any game; others expect the best cards before risking anything. Some bluff and show their game at the end by bluster, they provide important clues about their game

some online poker software can take notes on players: up to you to build a database of your most dangerous opponents (very important). I recommend you focus more turns on the set of one opponent of your choice, forgetting momentarily the other (if we end up all mixed). These details will be helpful if a few turns later you find yourself committed against that player.

Another tip: count the pot. Often on the Internet the pot is displayed by the software. Be always ready to assess the percentage represented by your last compared to the size of the pot (which you're likely to win). Is it worth the $ 15 bet to win as many expect, if the odds are less than 50%? No.

The general principle is very simple: if you play the prints (suites, color) for the time your hand is worth nothing, but if the right cards fall will be the winning hand. So you want to see the flop, but it costs you as little as possible. The money you lose before the flop will usually (!) More than offset the few times you will complete your hand. I play a lot of that limit; I do less because they are the prints obviously less profitable than No Limit. Conversely if you have big hands before the flop (AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs) you will make them pay as dearly as possible to others, remaining in the game while waiting to flop something stronger you! In a few weeks when you will be in the mood, you can take part in discussions of whether AK is a bigger hand than AA (it amuses many U.S. players’ poker forums US).

We must be aware of: Sometimes you'll spend half an hour to do just go to bed. It's painful but necessary. Every time you put $ 3 to attend a game with not so well, you lie back, it lost $ 3. When you see how it is sometimes difficult to win $ 3, it will help you hold on to not waste them :-) And brace yourself, here is a great truth: $ 3 that prevents loss, c is exactly the way we won $ 3! You can ponder this sentence the rest of the night; if you get the picture that you have made great progress in poker.

Do not assign a value disproportionate to suited connectors (QJs or JTs): they do not improve on the flop they have little interest. Before the flop you must restart the big pairs (TT to AA). Some authors recommend not raising AA pre-flop to be able to check-raise on the flop, but it is not the norm. QQ or JJ if not improve on the flop, you can throw them, for against AA and KK are played normally until the end (with respect to AA it is my principle, even if I lost AA lot of hands!)

You will need to QQ or JJ lay on the flop if an Ace or K appear, and it is painful. However, do not lose sight of that on the flop we know five cards (two in the hand, three on the carpet) out of 52. It is 47: this is the one against 20. Of course the card in gold (a Q or J would make you a set) can fall, but some have lost their shirts while waiting too long :-) Actually, someone probably has already flopped a pair of 'As or cowboys (KK), and you're already beaten.

Texas Hold'em