Guides
Texas
Hold'em Poker is just one of many variations of poker that can be found
at the online casinos. Poker itself is probably the most popular and
well recognized of all the online casino games. Whether you are an amateur
Texas Hold'em player or an expert it is always worth picking up a few
new tips and strategies on how to succeed while playing poker at your
favorite online casino. Read on to find out more.
Two important things to know about the Game
It may seem obvious to be reminded of the following fundamental facts,
but often players get caught up in the excitement of the game and forget
the basics.
1. The two cards you hold are the only cards that set you apart from
the other players and give you the chance to win.
2. All of the face-up cards are community cards, shared by you and every
other player.
It's fundamental that you focus on what those cards could mean to someone
else at least as much as you focus on what they mean to you. Keep your
eyes open for your opponent's straight and flush possibilities.
Ranking Your own Cards
Usually, the first decision you make in a hand of Texas Hold 'Em Poker
happens with your only knowledge being what your two cards are.
When you look at your own cards, be careful not to reveal anything with
your body language or facial expression. Taking a sharp breath, no matter
how quietly you do it, can tell a wily opponent all he needs to know
to have an advantage over you. Keyword: emotionless.
How do you know if your cards are worthy? It depends in part on how
many players are in the game, but a general rule is that you should
seriously consider folding before the flop if you have two non-pair
cards, both less than 10. A more conservative player might fold if just
one of the cards is less than 10; a more aggressive player might stay
in with, for example, an 8 and 9 of the same suit (because those cards
give you decent possibilities for a straight or a flush).
If the big blind (a forced bet designed to ensure that every hand has
a pot) is low enough, it may be worthwhile to pay in so that you can
see the flop even if you don't have particularly strong cards in your
hand. But don't abuse this exception to the rule -- it can get you into
trouble more quickly than you imagine.
A lot of Texas Hold 'Em strategy is based on the cards in your hand.
You must be willing to suffer through a series of poor hands (e.g. 5-8,
2-6, 4-9) without getting impatient. The good hands will come, eventually,
and you'll be in better position to take advantage of them if you don't
waste your chips trying to get something out of nothing.
The Flop
After seeing the flop, don't be afraid to cut your losses. A common
mistake made by novices is to decide, I'm already in this hand, so I
might as well play it out. Wrong.
With seven players at a table, two pair or better will generally be
the winning hand. If you don't have the high pair after the flop (e.g.
if the flop is K-9-5, the high pair would be two Ks), and you're not
in good position for a straight or a flush, you should probably get
out of the hand.
However, remember that as the number of players goes down, so does the
potential of a strong hand -- so if you're at a table with just two
other players, it could pay off to be more aggressive.
If you're first to bet after the flop, don't be afraid to check. This
can work to your advantage in two ways. First, if your hand is on the
weak side, you might be able to see one more card without having to
put more into the pot. Second, if your hand is strong, you could convince
an opponent or two that it's weaker than it really is.
Fourth Street and Fifth Street
Also know as The Turn and The River, the fourth and fifth community
cards give you two more chances to either get out of the pot before
you lose even more money or increase your winnings.
At this point, it's likely there will only be one or two other players
still in the pot with you. The best advice here is to be cautious. After
fourth street, don't stay in the pot hoping for a straight or flush,
unless you can do so on a check (that is, without putting more chips
into the pot). Although there will be times when you would have drawn
the straight or flush, they will be outweighed by the times you wouldn't.
The bottom line is this: Don't allow yourself to get sucked in too far
with a weak hand.
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