How To Be Good At Texas Holdem Poker

For Texas Hold'em tournament strategy, there exists a whole set of other poker tournament tips. While there are many things that add up to good poker strategy, we feel that these are the Top Five for new or intermediate players. The rise of the game. One of the biggest reasons why someone has to be good at this game is the sheer growth the game has seen since the 2000s. Not only do you have people playing the game in casinos, the online boom of poker has seen Holdem grow a lot.

Texas Hold'em poker is everywhere these days — on TV, online, and in clubs and casinos. Before you sit down to a game of Texas Hold 'em, make sure you're in good shape to be successful — take care of non-poker issues and check your physical, mental, and financial status. During the game, you need to understand basic odds and playable hands, as well as how to bluff successfully and follow proper poker etiquette. Texas Hold ‘Em also has its own abbreviations for online play.

Playable Texas Hold'em Hands

The aim of the game in Texas Holdem poker is to make the best possible decisions in terms of betting to ensure you win as many chips as possible over multiple hands. The first three cards in Texas Hold'em are called the Flop. These cards are 'community cards' meaning everyone will use them in combination with their own hole cards to make the best hand. From the flop on, betting begins with the player to the dealer's left, who can check or bet. A fourth card is dealt face up onto the board.

Texas Hold'em is a game of strategy, like any poker game, but where you're sitting in relation to the action becomes part of your strategy when playing Hold'em. If you bet early, you generally need better cards than you do if you're one of the blinds. The following table offers sound advice on what hands are playable when you're sitting in different positions.

Questions to Ask Yourself before You Play Texas Hold'em

Whether you're playing Texas Hold'em for fun or money — make that whether you're playing for high stakes or low stakes — make sure you're in a position mentally, physically, and financially to enjoy the game and make the most of your chances. Ask yourself these questions before you sit down to a game:

• What is the purpose of my playing this session? Whether it's to learn more, win money, or just hang with friends for a good time, make sure you know why you're there and that you're doing everything you can to accomplish that goal.

• If I were to play an opponent who's exactly the same as a well-rested, un-stressed version of me, would that person have an advantage? If the answer is 'yes,' hold off on playing until you're in a better psychological and physical state.

• Can my bankroll handle this level of play? If not, play a lower level.

• Are there any distractions in my life that I need to get rid of before I play? Pay your rent, walk your dog, call your significant other — whatever it is, get it out of your head so you can focus.

• Do I know if the house I'm playing in has any bonuses for players such as bad beat jackpots, high hands, free food and/or drinks for players, or freeroll tournaments? If not, ask a floorperson before you start playing and find out about the details of how you can qualify.

• Is there an aggressive person at the table I'll be playing at? If so, try to get yourself seated to his left so you see the raises before your action and not after.

• What do I know about the people sitting at the table? Whatever it is, use it to your advantage.

Rough Odds for Texas Hold'em

Playing poker is about playing the odds. The following list gives the odds for outcomes in Texas Hold'em hands. When you realize how heavily the odds are stacked against you, you may want to rethink going all-in before the flop with two suited cards. Use the odds to your advantage:

• 1 percent (1-in-100): Percentage of time that no player holds an Ace or a King at a table in a 10-handed game

• 1 percent (1-in-100): Percentage of time that if you hold two suited cards, you'll flop a flush

• 6 percent (about 1-in-20): Percentage of time that five community cards will give pocket suited cards a flush

• 6 percent (about 1-in-20): Percentage of time that you'll be dealt a pocket pair

• 8 percent (about 1-in-12): Percentage of time that you'll hit at least trips after having a pair on the flop

• 12 percent (about 1-in-8): Percentage of time that you'll flop trips if holding a pocket pair

• 12 percent (about 1-in-8): Percentage of time that two more cards will flop in the same suit as a suited pocket pair

• 19 percent (about 1-in-5): Percentage of time that the five community cards will at least trip your pocket pair

• 32 percent (about 1-in-3): Percentage of time that you'll pair one of your cards on the flop (with no pocket pair)

• 33 percent (about 1-in-3): Percentage of time that you'll make a full house or better after having trips on the flop

• 35 percent (about 1-in-3): Percentage of time that you'll make a flush on the turn or river if you have four cards to a flush after the flop

Texas Hold'em Bluffing Tips

What makes any poker game exciting, and Texas Hold'em is certainly no exception, is that players can bluff at any point. Sometimes half the fun of a game is seeing whether you can successfully bluff an opponent out of some money. But, even as you're misleading your opponents, make sure you bluff in the right circumstances. Heed these bluffing tips:

• Only bluff where it makes a difference to your standing — either in a tournament or to your stack of chips.

• Be careful bluffing someone considerably worse than you are. He may call just to see what you have, or on some probabilistically low draw when he already has you beaten anyway.

• Bluff in situations where the board hints at the great hand you do not have: straights and flushes being hinted at by the board, the turn of an Ace, and so on.

• Don't try to bluff players who only play the most solid of hands if they're still in the pot.

• Don't bluff people who are extremely likely to call.

• Do bluff the timid or people who are likely to fold.

• Remember that it's easier to bluff in No-Limit than Limit because the bets (both implied and real) are bigger.

Poker Etiquette for Texas Hold'em

The etiquette tips in the following list apply to Texas Hold'em and to any other poker game. Sure, you can have fun while you play poker, but you can have all the fun you want without being impolite to the other players or the dealer. Basic poker etiquette includes these tips:

• Always play in turn.

• Be aware of when it's your turn to post the blinds and do so promptly.

• Any time there is a discrepancy at the table, talk to the dealer — not the other players — about it. If you're not able to get satisfaction from the dealer, ask for a floorperson. Talking with other players about the problem you perceive may generate ill will among people who have no authority in the situation in the first place.

• Place your bets in front of you. Do not splash them into the pot.

• Do not show your hand to other players at the table while a hand is in progress.

• Tell the dealer when you intend to raise. In No-Limit, gather the amount that you're going to raise and either announce the total, or move it all forward with one motion. This prevents being called on a 'string raise.'

• Don't forget to tip your dealer. Dealers work for minimum wage and rely on tips for their livelihood.

Online Poker Abbreviations for Texas Hold'em

Playing online poker in general, and Texas Hold'em in particular, is a very popular pastime. When you're online, you may encounter abbreviations specific to the world of poker. To understand what other players are saying, get familiar with these online abbreviations:

Poker is a game which has many variations and Texas Holdem Poker has to be one of the most popular versions of the game.

No one really knows about the creation of the game but the state of Texas does recognize Robstown, Texas as the birthplace of this game sometime in the early 1900s.

Holdem poker might have been around for a century or so but it has been the incarnation of poker on television which saw its boom in the 2000s.

In fact the popularity of the game increased more thanks to internet poker and a lot of literature about the game.

Texas Holdem replaced 7 card stud as the most popular game in the United States of America as the most common games in casinos.

One variation of Texas Holdem known as no-limit is used frequently in the televised games and is also the main event in the ever popular World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events.

Poker is a game which has many variations and Texas Holdem Poker has to be one of the most popular versions of the game.

No one really knows about the creation of the game but the state of Texas does recognize Robstown, Texas as the birthplace of this game sometime in the early 1900s.

Holdem poker might have been around for a century or so but it has been the incarnation of poker on television which saw its boom in the 2000s.

In fact the popularity of the game increased more thanks to internet poker and a lot of literature about the game.

Texas Holdem replaced 7 card stud as the most popular game in the United States of America as the most common games in casinos.

One variation of Texas Holdem known as no-limit is used frequently in the televised games and is also the main event in the ever popular World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events.

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The rise of the game

One of the biggest reasons why someone has to be good at this game is the sheer growth the game has seen since the 2000s.

Not only do you have people playing the game in casinos, the online boom of poker has seen Holdem grow a lot.

Many websites allow you the ability to play poker anonymously and Texas Holdem is one of the hottest games online.

Almost everyone does try a hand at Texas Holdem and the better you are at it the more chances you have of winning games online.

Some of the biggest cash games online feature Texas holdem and not being able to play the game would be a sad indictment; there have been many people who have made poker their vocation.

The same could happen to you.

The same reason can be stated for playing the game on tables, most casinos and big tournaments prefer using this format of the game.

It is easier to conduct and easy to learn but difficult to master for players.

The excitement shown on television is something that really does work for the popularity of the game and will probably not die down anytime soon.

The show at the table

The fact that there is so much action going on at the table when you play a game of Texas Holdem poker, it shouldn't be a surprise that you learn a lot when you play.

There are so many characters out there who have written books about the game that the more you read the better you get.

The better you get at the game the better you would perform at the table that is the biggest deal about playing Texas Holdem Poker.

If you have seen any of the live events on television you would know what is being written about.

The World Series of Poker is one of the biggest tournaments in the world of poker and the jackpot for winning it is pretty big.

The 2014 main event saw Martin Jacobsen walk away with $10 million as winnings with more than 6,600 players turning up for the event in total.

The characters at the table

Another reason why you should be taking up the game and being good at it is the way you deal with people at the table could actually help you out in real life.

The sheer number of characters you get to meet when playing a poker game varies.

The more tournaments you play the more people you would meet and that will help you out when it comes to reading people.

Many people have different tells when it comes to playing Holdem as they try not to give too much away about what they are holding.

While they take cards up they might have a glisten in their eye or a slight smirk and that is where you can take an advantage.

It isn't like they cannot take advantage of you when you slip up but the games does teach you to be careful with what you do and say at the table and also control your body movements and functions.

Poker is also a great game to keep your calculation skills and mental ability in check.

As you try to find out and predict what your opponent is bound to do, your mind is running calculations to try to keep in touch.

This of course happens for only those players who are taking the game as a strategic battle, which it is.

You get to learn about planning attacks and dealing with losses but that is part of playing the game.

The more you play, the better you will get and the better you get, the more you learn about life and poker.

Texas Holdem's popularity means the game will probably not change in the future and more people will be taking it up.

How To Be Good At Texas Holdem Poker Free

The large jackpots for winning tournaments both online and offline should be enough for any person to think about taking up this variation of poker and excelling in this version of the game.

How To Cheat At Texas Holdem Poker

Just remember, poker is a fickle mistress and you will have days when you lose more than you earn but you will learn more.