Getting Into The Game - Playing in Texas Holdem Tournaments
Excited about getting into a game of
Texas Holdem (No Limit) but don’t know what to do after the cards are drawn?
Try these highly advanced techniques I’ve developed in my years of playing
the game.
Early on, the game is all about getting
stuck into some pots. The blinds are cheap at 10/20 so it is easy to see
flops. Don’t hang around for the best Texas Holdem starting hands, as they
will rarely visit you. Decisions as to whether to play should be based
on table position and numbers of players in the pot.
If all the players are in and you
can get in cheaply then do so even with rags. The hope is that you will
hit two pair or higher in which case you should follow up with a large
bet. Most people will be playing high cards – Ace, King, and a variety
of picture cards. Hardly anyone will be playing lower cards like 56, suited
or not.
Best Bet When Starting Out With No
Limit Tournaments
High cards are of course best, but
the way to advance in early no limit tournaments is to catch 2 pair or
higher and make those holding a pair of Aces (inc one on the board) pay
for it. Weaker players can never get away from big starting hands. If you
have hit a two pair on the flop then you’ll likely see action against a
single pair that often leads to an all-in.
You need to be mindful of the possibilities
and play each poker hand as the situation and betting dictates, but you
should know that your opponent does not expect you to be on a set or two
pair if low cards are on the flop.
You may continue to see 75% of flops
and always bet top pair. Look out for poker traps such as large re-raises,
calling to the turn followed by aggressive betting. Watch the early position
players betting heavily pre-flop. You should continue these poker strategies
throughout the early game until the blinds move up above 50.
Remember, strategy accounts for probably
90% of your success. The rest is up to lady luck.
Adding ‘The Bluff’ To Texas Holdem
Strategy
Texas Holdem is also a game of bluff
– to play well you have to master bluffing and that often means stealing
from late position. By the end of the first third of the game you should
have a good handle on the way players play certain types of hand. Low cards
on the board post-flop and turn, which combined with checking all around
is an indication that you should dip your toe in the water.
Don’t bet large at these situations
with a stone cold bluff because you will walk into players who have set
a trap – you also look to other players with over cards like a thief looking
to steal the pot. A pot size bet or slightly less is, I find, most effective.
Obviously it will bring out the traps which you need to back away from.
If not your bet will suggest to all the other players that you’re trying
to disguise how good your hand really is.
These tricks are easy to use once
you are aware of them and start using them when you are playing. Using
these techniques can help even out the battlefield and enable you to stay
on course to achieve your goal of winning big pots to progress in a Texas
Holdem tournament.
Graham Easton is the author of this
article, webmaster at http://www.texashold-empoker.com,
and successful Tournament Texas Holdem player. He has a record of making
Heads up play in 5 of his last 20 major Online Poker Tournaments with individual
buy-ins less than $33.
Article Source:
Amazines.Com
