The popular cliche about poker is that it takes minutes to learn yet needs a lifetime to master it. It is true that the new player can learn the rules of the game very quickly however the varying strategies and subtleties of actually playing poker are fluid depending on many factors which are not limited to the cards you are holding. However, regardless of the circumstances there is no excuse for not having a solid foundation and the three strategy considerations we will look at below can help to give you a very solid foundation whenever you play poker.
First, and most obvious, is to pay very close attention to the first two cards you are dealt in each hand. These are known as your "hole" cards and what you are dealt will influence greatly whether you should consider playing, raising or folding on the spot. Become familiar with the relative strengths of starting hands. Obviously a pair of aces is the strongest and if you are fortunate enough to see those two aces then bet accordingly before the flop. On the other hand if your hold cards are a two and a seven then think strongly about folding as it will be hard to improve that hand and more likely than not you will lose the hand. In general terms, have the patience to wait for the stronger hole cards and fold the bad ones. You will fold more than you play.
Second, the position you sit in at the poker table is a very powerful thing and can be used to your advantage. Position in this instance relates to where you are in relation to the dealer of the hand. The further away you are, the later you have to decide whether to play or fold and by the time your turn arrives you will have had the advantage of seeing what your opponents have done and how they have bet. This can give you an indication if they may have strong hole cards or not thus helping you judge if to get involved or not. Conversely when you are seated closer to the dealer you have to make a decision earlier and should generally only play very strong hole cards.
Third, and possibly most important, is know when to fold your cards and get out of the hand to save your chips. If you think you are beaten then fold. It is that simple. Bluffing may work on occasion though that's a whole other story for another article. You absolutely must have the discipline to fold and carry it through. Even those pocket aces can be beaten after the flop so be alert at all times as to what your opponents may have that has you beaten and get out if you think they have you. For example you have pocket aces but a third one doesn't appear on the flop. Your hand does not improve and all you have is top pair. Anyone left in could have hit three of a kind or a straight for example and that's you done. Know when to fold and do it.
First, and most obvious, is to pay very close attention to the first two cards you are dealt in each hand. These are known as your "hole" cards and what you are dealt will influence greatly whether you should consider playing, raising or folding on the spot. Become familiar with the relative strengths of starting hands. Obviously a pair of aces is the strongest and if you are fortunate enough to see those two aces then bet accordingly before the flop. On the other hand if your hold cards are a two and a seven then think strongly about folding as it will be hard to improve that hand and more likely than not you will lose the hand. In general terms, have the patience to wait for the stronger hole cards and fold the bad ones. You will fold more than you play.
Second, the position you sit in at the poker table is a very powerful thing and can be used to your advantage. Position in this instance relates to where you are in relation to the dealer of the hand. The further away you are, the later you have to decide whether to play or fold and by the time your turn arrives you will have had the advantage of seeing what your opponents have done and how they have bet. This can give you an indication if they may have strong hole cards or not thus helping you judge if to get involved or not. Conversely when you are seated closer to the dealer you have to make a decision earlier and should generally only play very strong hole cards.
Third, and possibly most important, is know when to fold your cards and get out of the hand to save your chips. If you think you are beaten then fold. It is that simple. Bluffing may work on occasion though that's a whole other story for another article. You absolutely must have the discipline to fold and carry it through. Even those pocket aces can be beaten after the flop so be alert at all times as to what your opponents may have that has you beaten and get out if you think they have you. For example you have pocket aces but a third one doesn't appear on the flop. Your hand does not improve and all you have is top pair. Anyone left in could have hit three of a kind or a straight for example and that's you done. Know when to fold and do it.
