Be more inclined to just call raises from weaker players with all pairs, AK and AQ, but only if you have position and will likely end up heads-up. You do this in order to trap them on the flop when you hit a great hand instead of shutting them out pre-flop. Basically, all other starting hands are limping hands. And though you might re-raise with them when you are defending your blinds, you might also raise with these hands when you are first in from a late position. It is preferable to avoid becoming too predictable. Remember, they will often have the opportunity to double up on you if they hit although many beginners do not realize this and fold too often pre-flop.
Stick to the premium hands see table of minimum required hands. You will pay dearly to "chase" with second-best hands in NL.
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If there are limpers in front of you, raise to about x the big blind. Have respect for strong tight players for example, you should drop AQ if a strong player raises under the gun. When very weak players have entered the pot, be inclined to call and take flops with them. In order to decide the correct action it is very important to keep several factors in mind: What did you flop and what is your relative strength straight draws, flush draws, set, paired board, etc?
Who, if anyone, raised before the flop often expect another bet? What kind of player is it? What position do you have relative to the raiser's? How many players are at the table it is hard to bluff facing 3 or more opponents and there is a greater chance of someone hitting a strong hand? What is your and your opponents' stack size? Typical situations on the flop Here are four typical situations on the flop: Very Strong Hand top two pair, set Often slow-play on an uncoordinated board to lure opponents in, to induce bluffs or let them make second-best hands.
However, if the board is coordinated and several players are in, you will need to overbet the pot in order to make them pay for attempting to out-draw you. The bigger the bet they call, the greater their mistake.
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And that is how you make money in poker: Strong Hand overpair, top pair with A kicker, etc. Generally, bet about the size of the pot in order to protect it for example, pushing out overcards and making draws pay. However, you might have to release this type of hand when facing an overbet or a raise. In such cases, someone could hold a bigger overpair, a set or connectors that hit the flop for a two pair. Usually you should not back top pair with your whole stack! If you bet and are called in several spots you have to decide whether your hand is the best or not, as it is unlikely that all of your opponents are drawing.
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Most of the time, you should avoid betting this hand when you are in early position, facing several opponents or facing tricky players who slow-play a lot. However, if you are in late position and it is checked to you then you should bet. If you are facing a bet or get raised you should fold. You have no initiative and are probably chasing outs. If you are playing with "calling stations" this strategy has much lower equity as you will not be able to win a lot of pots with semi-bluffs. Then you have two ways to win, either by forcing your opponents to fold or by out-drawing them.
Sometimes it is correct to call a bet on the flop because of the existing implicit odds. This play is directed by the size of your and your opponent's stacks and also by the size of the bet. If a weak player with a lot of money bets and you too have a large sum of money, a call would be good since you might double-up if you hit on the turn. Specific holdings at flop play Non-Vulnerable "Monsters" four of a kind, nut full house, nut flush, nut straight With this type of flop your main concern is how to play in order to get the maximum pay-off.
Vulnerable "Monsters" low full house, non-nut flush, non-nut straight This hand can be played profitably either by slow-playing until the turn if the turn card still leaves you with a great hand or by "jamming it" on the flop. If you decide to jam it on the flop be prepared to back the hand with your whole stack.
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Sometimes a better strategy is to wait until the turn card and see if a blank hits. If so, you reveal the true strength of your hand on the turn. A disadvantage with this play is that you allow people to out-draw you on the turn by hitting a bigger flush, straight or full house. Also, the action dries up quickly when a fourth suited card hits or it is only one card to a straight on the turn.
Therefore, it is important not to get "married to the hand" in case a bad card hits on the turn.
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If the board is uncoordinated you can set up a slow-play by calling or betting modestly and attempting to lure people in. Betting modestly works best if some cards are in the "playing zone" for example, 9 and up as someone usually has a decent holding. Remember, with a "monster" hand you want to leave room for players to try to bluff you as long as you are not in great jeopardy of being out-drawn. Always consider which types of opponents remain in the pot.
Slow-play this hand often with a modest bet or call you might get well paid off on later betting rounds. Over-betting the pot is not wrong if there are several opponents If you have hit with a "weak" Ace, let AK and AQ pay to chase. Bottom Two Pair You need to protect this pot by betting and raising. This hand looks strong but is in the vulnerable position of being out-drawn.
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Generally, you hit this type of hand with connected cards, which always make at least a straight-draw possible. For example, if you hold 98s and the flop is K, any K, Q, J, T, 7, 5 that hits on the turn will be a scare card and, if you add a flush draw, it becomes even worse.
Watch out if the board pairs on the turn and you do not make a full house as someone holding an overpair has made a better two pair than yours or it could give someone trips. Overpair pocket pair above highest card on the flop To extract more money in an aggressive game, often look to slow-play high overpairs AA-KK by limping, calling or making modest bets in the hopes of re-raising someone before the flop. With the big pairs, you want to avoid taking flops with more than one or two opponents.
If the board is uncoordinated and you are up against one or two opponents, consider slow-playing your overpair. If you have a medium overpair the situation is quite different. You want to win the pot on the flop, as your hand is vulnerable to overcards hitting on the turn. Watch out for flops like , T and J, especially if they come with flush draws. Anyone who gives you a lot of action on this kind of flop is likely to either have you beat or is about even-money to out-draw you.
Top Pair, Ace Kicker Most of the time bet on the flop and continue on turn as you often have weaker players staying in with weaker kickers or worse hands. Make sure to bet about the same amount as the pot if the board is coordinated in order to protect your hand. Again, there is a huge difference between a flop like K rainbow and K-J-9 with a flush draw when you hold AK. In the first case you should consider slow-playing the hand and, in the second case, you have to give action on the flop as almost any card on the turn will be a scare card. For instance, you hold AT and the flop is T In addition, any 6, J, Q or K on the turn will be a scare card.
Top Pair, Weak Kicker In an un-raised pot, make a normal bet to take the pot if your hand is the best. If there are four players or more involved in the pot, consider giving it up without a fight. Generally, you should fold when facing a pot-sized bet from a tight player if there is a decent chance that you are out-kicked or sometimes facing an overpair. Be extra cautious to call if there are many players left to act, as you cannot afford to take any heat.
Avoid getting heavily involved with this type of hand unless you have a lot of additional value, like a straight draw and a flush draw. For instance, you are holding 89s and the flop is with two cards of your suit. Although you only have top pair with a weak kicker, be prepared to back your hand with your entire stack. This hand gives you 20 outs! Second Pair pocket pair between the flop's high and middle card Typical fold or bet hand.
Tight players might fold weak top pairs or other non-made hands. Fold if a strong player bets in front of you, especially if players behind you are left to act. When betting, in most cases you should release your hand if you get raised. You should then re-raise or call and wait to see what unfolds on the turn. Middle Pair, Ace Kicker Bet out or check-fold, depending on the board, players and number of opponents. If you are last to act and it is checked to you, consider betting.
This situation arises quite frequently when you are playing the Axs hands. It is important not to get heavily involved on this type of flop. With the Axs hands you want to hit two pair, trips, a pair and the nut flush draw, etc. Then you can trap weaker flushes, AK when you hold two pair and trips with a weaker kicker than the ace. Middle Pair, Weak Kicker When there are only two or three players in the pot either check-fold or make a position bet when checked to you.
Sometimes take a free card when it is checked to you in the hopes that you hit at least two pair. Fold if an opponent bets. Third Pair pocket pair below the flop's second card Either check-fold or make a position bet when checked to you and there are only two or three players in the pot. Sometimes take a free card when checked to you in the hopes that you hit at least two pair. Low Pair, Ace Kicker Fold to any action. You might be chasing two outs for trips as the ace can make an opponent a higher two pair. Either way, you only have 5 outs at best. If you decide to bet, it should be solely on "bluff merits" few players, position, no face cards on the flop, etc.
Low Pair with Low Kicker Fold to any action. Do not position bet. Bet or check when checked to you in last position depending on the circumstances. Nut Draws with Nine Outs or More ace flush draw, two over-cards and a straight draw, straight flush draw Instead of calling, always consider putting pressure on your opponent by betting, raising or check-raising.
An aggressive move is preferred against only one or two opponents who can fold decent hands. By putting an opponent all-in on the flop, you will often make money as you are almost even-money if called and you have a good chance of winning the pot on the flop. But remember to set your opponent all-in and do not call all-in. Late position gives extra advantage with this type of hand, as you can decide whether to re-raise, bet, check, call or fold depending on the action in front of you.
If you are short-stacked and the pot is decent sized consider moving all-in, even if you are the first to act.
Remember to draw for the nuts. Be certain not to "draw dead" against the nuts. You do not want to chase and end up losing your entire stack if you hit. For the most part you should avoid betting or chasing on a second- or third-best draw, especially on flush draws where you may frequently find yourself up against a suited ace. With a second-best draw you can make a decent bet in an un-raised pot by trying to win it right away. You want to see the turn as cheaply as possible and find out if you make your hand.
Raise, bet or fold depending on the board, players, actions and number of opponents. Do not call off your money. Strong players know that you, as a tight player, will often be holding overcards when the flop comes with low cards. In particular, you should follow through as the pre-flop raiser against no more than two opponents. Avoid making it a expensive! You will lose money and "bluff equity" to be used when better served. Remember that your overcards might still be the best hand against one or two opponents with a flop of rags. On the Turn As a general rule you still want to have the lead and build the pot.
If you were betting a draw on the flop, you must use your best judgment and decide whether to fire again. Remember to always re-evaluate your hand as the play progresses. Do not call down big bets with a medium holding, unless you play with a habitual bluffer or a player who is quite obviously on tilt.
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For example, you hold KQs and the flop came You can find similar articles in the main strategy area of this site, but they have a more formal writing style. Furthermore, the articles have not been laid out in so much of a step-by-step or guide-like fashion, so you know where to start and where you are going to up in this Texas Hold'em guide. There are more specific articles there for you to choose from, which should help you to refine the finer aspects of your game. I will also strongly recommend that you look to invest in some tracking software from the poker software page.
As a developing player, this software will prove to be invaluable to you later on down the line. It will help you to fix any leaks in your game and help you to track your progress. If you're after more of a guide to online poker rooms and advice on where to play, you should check out the poker rooms section of this site. Alternatively, my friend Adam at OnlinePokerEd. It's definitely worth a look.
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