Texas Holdem Poker Tips
If you've recently learned how to play Texas Holdem, you are probably eager to incorporate poker strategies and tips into your game. The following tips will help you improve your game of Texas Holdem and teach you more about the sequence of play.
One of the first things you need to take into consideration before the flop is your position at the poker table. Your proximity to the dealer will have a direct effect on your game. If you are playing early, you'll need a strong hand to ensure that you are in a good position before later players raise the pot. Remember the order of play at all times. The player seated to the left of the player that posted the big blind will take his turn pre-flop. The next two players to his left will play early, while the following three are in a middle position. Finally the ones seated after them will play late.
For each position, there are recommended hands you should play for a strong start. For example, if you are playing in an early position, you should raise the stakes when you have pairs of Aces and Kings and call when you have the following pairs: Ace and King, Ace and Queen, King and Queen, and pairs of Queens, Jacks and Tens. You should fold on all other card combinations.
Players in a middle position should call on pairs of nines and eights, along with Ace and Jack, Ace and Ten, Queen and Jack, Ace and Queen and King and Queen. In a late position, call on any small pair that you have, along with King and Ten, Queen and Ten, Jack and Ten, Ace and Ten, and Ace and Jack. Memorizing these card combinations will help you create the most advantageous positions for yourself from the pre flop.
After the flop, you will need to implement further strategy to stay in the game. This is a crucial decision because if you stay in with a weak hand purely for the experience, you may end up losing money. At the end of the flop, your hand will consist of seven cards. Consider the following: if your hand does not include a top pair, a flush or a straight, you should fold. If you are in possession of a small pair playing in a late position and there is a bet in front of you, you should discard the pair if the flop does not bring you a third card of the same value.
You should also know the best course of action when you're playing after the Turn. If you have a strong hand and the Turn card is in your favor, you should bet. However, if you only hold a pair and are counting on your opponents to check, you should be prepared to fold if they instead decide to raise the bet. Likewise, you should fold if you have only two cards that are higher than any of the community cards (known as overcards), and no flush or straight in your hand at the Turn. Don't hope in vain for the river card to improve your hand.
Finally, a last word about how to approach the blinds. If you are responsible for posting the blinds in a game, don't be tempted to call raises to protect them. Remember, the money you posted for the blind is no longer yours. You should try to conserve your funds and not waste them by calling when you have a weak poker hand.