Author: horse-racing-free-tips

The game of Texas Hold’em poker takes minutes to learn, but there’s so much going on during an actual hand that it can take many years before a player is good enough to win consistently. It all starts with the first two cards. Knowing when to play and when to skip on a hand is the first crucial step to winning at Texas Hold’em poker. Today, I am going to run down a series of starting hands and what you should think about doing when you get them. This list assumes that you are playing at a table with seven or more players and that you are somewhat new to the game of Poker.

The Big Hands

If you receive any of the following four hands, you should raise when it’s your turn to bet. If someone raised the pot already then re-raise.

The four big hands are: AA, KK, QQ and AK.

The Limp Hands

If you find yourself with an upper level pair of eights, nines, tens or Jacks, you want to limp in the pot, which means to simply call the minimum bet. However, if someone has raised the pot, you want to consider folding. You are most likely beat. Some players will limp in with any pair, some with pairs of fours or higher and so forth. This is something you will figure out for yourself.

The Connectors

There are times when you will want to limp in with hands that can possibly pay off. Normally, you will play these hands when you are in the blinds or late position (one of the last to act). If the pot gets raised, fold.

These hands are: AQ, AJ, AT, KQ, KJ, QJ, and possibly JT. If these hands are suited, their value goes up, because you gain the possibility of a flush or straight flush.

Many newer players get in trouble with some of these hands, because they get face card envy. Learn when to lay down hands and your profits will go up. If you have a hand that is not listed here, it should most likely be folded. There are times, when on the button, where you might want to play something like a 65s (suited). However, playing too many junk hands will milk away your chips. At first, you want to play tight. As you learn the game of Poker, open up and expand your playing ability.

Does poker require luck or skill? Some play the game and seem to hit every card needed for the winning hand. Others, with a hand that could not beat any hand on the table, slyly walk away with the pot with a wink and a smile.

So the answer to the question it would seem would be that it is a little bit of both; luck and skill are needed to be a successful poker player. After all, gambling is a game of chance.

But consider this: some mathematicians contend that the odds of getting a royal flush are 1 in 649,739. So, given those odds, chances are if you rely on the luck of the draw you will definitely lose more than you will win.

So how do you become an experienced poker player and win all the time? Well you can become an experienced poker player but, alas; you won’t win all the time. Poker does require skill and the old adage, know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em certainly has a ring of truth to it. Furthermore, you must factor in the skill level of the players at the table, your bluffing and betting skills, the stakes involved and of course, luck.

Here are some important tips for the successful poker player:

Do not gamble if you cannot afford to lose. People lose a lot of money due to lack of planning and some gamble way over their heads because they don’t know when to stop. Pick an amount to play with and stick to it. Additionally, do not borrow money to gamble, you just add more pressure upon yourself having to bet with borrowed funds. Allocate a budget and stick to it!

If you are serious about winning, avoid alcohol. You may make bets that you would not normally make. Play with a clear head.

Don’t play if you are stressed out or emotional because not being in the right frame of mind can cost you big at the poker table. Play with focus. If your mind is preoccupied with other problems, your judgment will suffer and you open yourself up for critical mistakes.

Study your opponents and define who they are and how they play the game. You may have to adjust to their style of play. Do not be intimidated by the aggressive nature of a particular player or the passiveness of another.

Don’t wait on cards, they usually don’t come. Don’t be afraid to fold the poor hand. Poker is a time consuming game and you aren’t dealt a winner every time.

Display a “poker face”. Your expressions and mannerisms can tell a lot about your hand, even to the most inexperienced players. Whether you have good cards or a terrible hand, it is best to display the same emotion and not convey any clues to the other players. Conversely, if you are a seasoned player, you can use this “poker face” style to your advantage to project false “tells” to other players and force false reads on their part. You could pretend to have a powerful hand by aggressive betting, table antics or talk and pull off a successful bluff.

Patience is the key and you have to know when to bet. Be knowledgeable as to when to bet and get a feel for the game. Bet wisely and in control. Bear in mind that bluffing will not work if you are a poor player and expert players will eventually sense this and pick you apart, making your night a short one.

Practice! Practice with low stakes games, hand held games or play for fun as you refine your game and skills. Read articles, books and ask other players about the game and different situations that might occur.

There are thousands of poker books written with tips, guidelines, rules and regulations but the important aspect to remember is your poker strategy and your game. Practice, refine and define who you are as a poker player. Know your limits, play the odds and odds are you will come up a winner!