As I learned more of these fundamental poker lessons I would make tips for myself. Every now and again I would go back and read these tips just to get my head straight. I think there are a lot of beginning players that would like this information but don’t want to seem stupid for asking the question or asking for something to be explained further.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>A few things to keep in mind when you read this:</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<UL type=disc> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>Essentially these are tips I created over a few years time with some added detail to make them understandable to someone other than myself.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>By no means is this a complete reference of all Poker fundamentals as there are many that I may not even mention.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>This comes from my point of view and is just one guy's opinion. </SPAN> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>There is no particular order; I just wrote stuff as the light bulb turned on for me.</SPAN> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>There are exceptions to every one of these tips.<SPAN> </SPAN>The better you understand the game, the more exceptions you will find.</SPAN></LI>[/list]<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>I divided the tips up into 3 parts and will present them over the course of a couple weeks.<SPAN> </SPAN>Let me hear from you if you find them useful.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>john@texastroll.com</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>---Troll</SPAN>
<SPAN>Hitting a Low Pair</SPAN><SPAN> - </SPAN><SPAN>Have the control to fold an under pair.<SPAN> </SPAN>Don't get caught up in the fact that you caught a small piece of the flop and now have bottom pair.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Let’s say you find yourself in a pot holding J
9
and the flop hits A
K
9.<SPAN> </SPAN>Ok great you hit a pair of 9.<SPAN> </SPAN>Is this really a flop you want to commit money to holding J9os?<SPAN> </SPAN>Someone is very likely to be holding an A, a K, a flush draw, or a straight draw.<SPAN> </SPAN>I see many players continue to invest money in a hand like this when in all likelihood they are completely dominated and have a very slim chance to win.<SPAN> </SPAN>Sure you might hit another 9 to make a set but what if it’s the 9?<SPAN> </SPAN>A Jack would give you 2 pair and also make someone else a straight or bigger 2 pair. Unless you hit runner, runner this hand with this flop is very, very dangerous.</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Small Pocket Pairs</SPAN><SPAN> - </SPAN><SPAN>Be able to fold small pairs in an early position or when the pot has been raised in front of you.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>First things first, I consider small pairs from 2’s to 9’s.<SPAN> </SPAN><SPAN>(Note: This doesn’t mean 10s and Js should be considered big pairs and always worth a ton of chips.)</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN>Let me also tell you that I love small pairs and they can often win you some huge pots <SPAN>WHEN YOU FLOP A SET</SPAN><SPAN>.</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN><SPAN>(Think I’m trying to tell you something?)</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN>Continually investing a lot of chips pre-flop with small pairs is a recipe for disaster.<SPAN> </SPAN>You want to get into a pot cheap with a small pair.<SPAN> </SPAN>If you don’t hit a set on the flop you have a trash hand and it’s probably time to get out.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Why All In?</SPAN><SPAN> - </SPAN><SPAN>Too many players will go all in before the flop.<SPAN> </SPAN>Often 1 or 2 things happens, you either just pick-up the blinds or you lose all your chips.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>If you have a good starting hand, don’t be afraid to bet it.<SPAN> </SPAN>Why waste a good hand and only get blinds to show for it?<SPAN> </SPAN>This also means you have to have enough control to lay down your KK when the flop has an Ace.<SPAN> </SPAN>The person that continually moves all in pre-flop is playing scared, playing not to lose, and won’t be a winner in the long run.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Why Flip a Coin?</SPAN><SPAN> –</SPAN><SPAN> I have better ways to spend money than flipping a coin for $100.<SPAN> </SPAN>Play poker not roulette.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>This is along the same lines as “Why All In?”.<SPAN> </SPAN>If you’re not good enough to play your hand from the flop to river you need to find another game.<SPAN> </SPAN>The idea of risking my tournament on a coin flip just doesn’t make good sense to me.<SPAN> </SPAN>Now I’m not saying there aren’t situations that dictate you push all your chips in pre-flop with what might be a coin flip, but it should be the exception not the norm.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Make the Bet You Would Call</SPAN><SPAN> - If you are in a position to bet, you should bet what ever you are willing to call.<SPAN> </SPAN>Meaning, if you are willing to call an all in bet then that’s the bet you should make up front.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>My point here is you need to put everyone else on the defensive and force them to react to you.<SPAN> </SPAN><SPAN>(I need to point out once again there are plenty of exceptions such as in the next tip.)</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN>Let’s say you have 1000 chips left, it’s stupid to bet 600.<SPAN> </SPAN>If our opponent raises, aren’t you going to call?<SPAN> </SPAN>If you’re not then you shouldn’t have made the bet in the first place.<SPAN> </SPAN>If you are willing to call then you should be aggressive and move all your chips in at that point.<SPAN> </SPAN>Many players will check, the next guy goes all in, and then they call with some kind of draw.<SPAN> </SPAN>Why not give yourself the chance to win the hand right there without having to hit your draw?</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Squeeze the Money Out</SPAN><SPAN> – When you hit a monster hand you want to get paid as much as possible.<SPAN> </SPAN>Use moves like check raise and smooth call to pull as many chips as possible out of your opponent.<SPAN> </SPAN>If you think your opponent is on a draw, make them pay for the draw.</SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<SPAN>Here are a few points to keep in mind about each of those situations.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN>
<SPAN> </SPAN>
<UL type=disc> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>When I slow play I like to imagine my opponent has the two best possible cards in his hand for a draw with the flop I’m playing.<SPAN> </SPAN>So if the turn card makes a possible club flush then I’m going to play like he has 2 clubs in his hand and start pulling out chips.<SPAN> </SPAN>My goal is to balance getting the most out of a hand but minimize the number of bad beats that happen along the way.</SPAN></LI>[/list]<SPAN> </SPAN>
<UL type=disc> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>If I put my opponent on some kind of a draw, how I bet the flop and turn are critical.<SPAN> </SPAN>On the flop I want to bet enough to not give them a cheap card, but also not so much that I’m committed to the hand if they hit on the turn.<SPAN> </SPAN>If the turn doesn’t help their draw then this is that last point to make money.<SPAN> </SPAN>Bet big in order to pull as many chips as possible out of them.<SPAN> </SPAN>I either score big when they miss on the river or take the pot down right here.</SPAN></LI>[/list]<SPAN> </SPAN>
<UL type=disc> <LI class=MsoNormal><SPAN>When short stacked I will throw caution to the wind.<SPAN> </SPAN>I will slow play AA or any big flop with no regard to what other players have.<SPAN> </SPAN>Meaning I give them every opportunity I can to make a hand so I get action.<SPAN> </SPAN>My goal is to get 1 if not 2 people to double me up.<SPAN> </SPAN>If I get outdrawn at least I did so trying to win and not just blinding out.</SPAN></LI>[/list]</READMORE>
