Wednesday, November 14, 2007

How to Pull in More Cash Playing Texas Holdem

Online poker games come in all flavors, and profits can be extracted using different tactics for each type of game. One particular type of poker game one can profit from is the No Limit tables. These are tables with varying initial buyins, ranging from generally $5 to even up to $1000. As usual the lower limit poker games tend to have the less experienced players, and extracting cash is much easier than the higher limit (i.e. more experienced) tables, though more tedious. But being an experienced poker player, you know that discipline is what it takes, no matter what.

One key strategy is to be patient and not get sucked into playing marginal hands without being very careful. The flip side of this strategy is the plays hands, which can increase your implied odds. Therefore, forgo playing KJ off in early position, even if you can limp in, because the small amount you’ll make on these types of hands will be off set by those crushing big hands you’ll lose to AJ…In other words, the expected value is not enough for you to pursue these hands if there’s any doubt you may be beat. Those hands that can increase your implied odds are the suited connectors and the small pairs, 22 through 88. Suited connectors will be discussed at another time.

Theoretically, with a pair in the hole, you will get trips 1 in 7 times. So, if you can get into a pot for say, less than 10% of your opponents stack, probability says that you will come out ahead. With pairs try raising 8 times the big blind, or limping in with that amount if it’s raised before you. Try to make your raises consistent so your opponents can’t get a read on you. (So your AA and KK raises will be the same as your small pairs, unless it’s raised before you, should reraise 2 to 3 times your opponents raise with these premium hands of AA etc. Otherwise muck your small pairs if you can’t get into the pot for less than 10% of your opponents stack. Obviously, if the raises before you are greater than 10% of your opponent’s stack, then you should muck your hand. Also, one should be aware of your opponents stack size, if there isn’t enough to pay off the 90% or so risk, then toss the hand. That's poker. Now the flop comes, and you don’t hit your trips, you should, as I say, cheerfully muck your hand. Do not chase. That is the first commandment of all poker players. Thou shalt not chase.

Of course, the caveat here is that there will be times when your set will be busted by a flush draw or a straight draw. If your opponents are on a draw (a four flush or straight draw) then the proper bet is 2/3 of the pot. This will give your opponent the wrong pot odds to continue his draw (i.e., the pot odds will not give him enough for him to profit if he calls your bet, over the long run). A higher bet will give him the proper odds, and therefore your opponent will be correct to call. Of course, if they have already hit their flush or straight, then you must evaluate the odds you have left to make a boat to beat them (number of outs divided by the number of cards remaining in the deck, minus 1, will get you the percent odds on the turn). If these odds less than your pot odds then just muck it.

In poker,if you are patient and don’t throw your money away on marginal hands, this poker strategy is guaranteed to make you money over the long haul. May the cards be with you.

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