Texas Hold 'Em

by Ignotum Per Igotius

Alright it's 10 o'clock and you just got done finished watching Greg Raymer whip some ass. You saw Chris Moneymaker come from out of nowhere the year before to take the world series main event. You figure geez these guys breezed right in and walked away with millions. If they can do it why can't I.

Stop right now. Think about it. Poker is not easy. It can't be broken down into one text, one book , one anything. It's a matter of learning complex intricasties and human behaviour. As soon you think you have someone figured out another person crushes you with the monster hand he has been waiting for. This is not a game for the weak willed or non risk takers. This is one of the biggest games of self doubt and can demoralize those with even the strongest wills.

Ok so you are still here and think you have what it takes to make millions. You have a bankroll and want to start crushing everyone in sight. That said it's time to start running your local poker room for starters. Myself I have played online but never really liked the feel of it. I like to stare down my opponents and see how they react in person.

I'll let you in on how I like to play live ring games and tournaments. The trick early is don't bluff. Wait and wait and wait . You might not be playing 30 to 40 hands or so . Be prepared for that. Wait for the moment. Learn what the other players are doing. Watch the maniac who tries to steal the blinds.Now you are watching and waiting you say hey aa and kk doesn't come around in 1 in 30 or 40 hands. You are right it doesn't. You need to learn what a good starting hand is.

People playing qq,kk,and aa are no brainers. You sit back and hope to build a pot. Not me I don't. If I am in any situation with those above hands I am making a raise pre flop. Usually double the big blind. That way I can chase out the tight players who play suited connectors or make low pocket pairs pay to see the flop. If you managed to get raised in this situation then is when you strike. Come over the top heavy handed is recommended in most situations.

Now what to do when you see hands like j 8 same suit. This is always a gut shot call. You have striahgt possibilities and flush chances. For hands like these if I can limp into the hand and see the flop for the blinds then you have just lucked out. That is your ideal situation. Me personally I would never pay more than 3x the big blind to see a flop. If you are playing at a full table then your odds to win this hand diminish with each player in the hand. In this situation if you are late to act and no one has called you yurself should be the one putting some heat to the blinds. Then I would raise 3x the big blind and see what happens after the flop.

In my stragety I like to see flops cheaply and make my decision based on the board. Now is when things get tricky. I am a firm believer in checking a hand. Many people see it as a sign of weakness. I prefer my opponents to make the move so as i can better gauge at what cards they may have. usually this is a tell. Most pro's play a certain way and many amatuers are difficult to figure out.

Ha Ha Ha!What you want me to give away all my secrets from years of playing with friends to tourneys to online playing. You want a clue as how to rake in cheddah from unsuspecting fish. Good luck. Because you are not going to find it here. I think I have the answers but I may just be lying to you so as when I see you at the table I already know how to play your type.The truth is their are as many ways to play the game and no one is correct. It is a game of skill and luck. That being said I recommend a new hobby. This one is so taxing 99% of those who try fail miserably and lose their bank accounts in the process.

Well here is some help how to play. As I stated above you really want a good starting hand to lay with. I don't know your skills in bluffing but I know mine. I would suggest a 2x bb raise with any pocket pair . in this situation you will see if anyone calls or raises you. Now this is where things go haywire. You are holding the dreaded jj's in hand. You are in a 2-4 no limit ring game. You currently have 130 left and haven't been in a hand in awhile. As you can see its all about situations in poker. How long have you been there. What have you been playing to the hilt. How are the people at the table respecting you. Their are so many factors involved it's insane the amount of skill and time playing it takes to deduce exactly what is going on in everyones minds. So back to the example at hand. You have the jj's and raised 8. Everyone has folded except the big blind who has just called. Now comes the flop and it come 3d, 5h, ks. Oh shit . You see a king on the board. The flop was a rainbow so the flush possibilities are not in favor. He is first to act and bets 4. Now what do you do? Me seeing as where I am in the hand I bet. To me he is chasing a straight or possibly bluffing. I would make it 20 to see fourth street. Ok you come over heavy handed as such and now the blinds has come over top making it 50. What do you do now? It all depends on how you have seen him play. You areat the table this is when your intuition comes into play. This is when you decide either he has it or not. There are thousands of these situations each session. You just have to be wise enough when to fold and or chase a draw.

I myself have lost a pretty penny online. In the long run though it has helped me a better player . I no longer am playing weak a 6 offsuit hands . I play pretty strong hands or high suited connectors. If I am not in the blinds I am not playing trash such as k 2 suited. As tempting as the king is and looks and your cards are suited your odds are not good at all . Any given hand has only a 6% chance of making a flush draw. Sorry but I am not a fan of a 6% chance. Especially at a full table. Heads up or even 4 handed its a different story. Hell it's an entirely different game with the less amount of people. Thats how crazy things become . So in short if you do decide to play stick to premium hands . If you are in the blinds make sure you have decent cards before calling a raise pre flop. Then again even fish catch cards. Thats right . I have seen aa busted by 3 7 offsuit. just because the aa slow played a hand to build a pot. You need to be aggresive and cautious. For the trap you think you are setting could be your own after the flop.

So good luck to all you aspiring players. I just hope your luck doesn't find me as I take your money at the tables. Why do I say this? Because I know when you sit down your money will become mine. Don't get angry. Just learn and wait in the weeds. Your day can come too you know. Also a word of advice don't play with more than than you want to lose. Set a bankroll and never ever get tilted. What happens when you go on tilt. You make rash decisions that could effect your future. Just suck it up and come back another day when the fish are biting heavier. Then you can talk about the thousands of dollar pots you have won. Then maybe make world series entry or two. Who knows? Not even I.