Learning Holdem Strategy

Developing your holdem poker strategy

It takes two things to win poker: Skill and a good holdem poker strategy. Here are some tips that can help you win more hands:

• Take advantage of the fact that most inexperienced players will be paying more attention to their own cards than yours.

• Play tight. Don’t do any unnecessary bluffing. Inexperienced players wear their cards on their sleeves. If they are betting and raising, they probably have something to be proud of.

• There is no honor in holding on to a losing hand. If your hand is weak, fold.

• In low limit games, you’re not likely to bluff players out with a $2 bet. That’s not a good holdem poker strategy. Most will pay that to see your cards just to keep you honest. Bet what you have, not what you wish you had.

• Here’s a holdem poker strategy that can turn an inexperienced player’s weakness to your advantage. You can sometimes rake the pot with what I call reverse bluffing. Instead of going all in when you have the top hand, check instead. Players with weaker hands might try to take advantage of you and run the pot up. Clobber them with a raise and then dazzle them at the showdown.

• Learn how to recognize a good pre-flop hand.

• Don’t be afraid to bet when you have a strong hand.

• Learn how to use pot odds to your advantage.

• Show patience and discipline. Don’t chase winning hands. Let them come to you instead.

• There are no “best moves” in poker, so don’t try to learn and memorize them. You could do everything right and lose a hand because a new player made a dumb mistake and got lucky.

• Check your ego at the door. The poker table is no place to show off. And don’t get angry when you lose. Remember that poker is a game where someone has to lose so the other player can win. You’ll have your share of winning hands, but you’ll have your share of losing ones too.

• You don’t have to play every hand, in fact you shouldn’t. Hold em has built-in exit ramps. They’re called pre-flop, flop, turn and river. Take one of those exit ramps and watch from the sidelines if you’re holding a losing hand. That’s the best holdem poker strategy.

For more information on this and other poker related topics, visit our website at http://www.holdem-news.com

Author Info:

Johnny is a poker pro who has written a number of educational products including Sit n Go Pro. He is highly interested in helping all poker players understand the game and win lots of money.