Strategy - Best Texas Hold'em

Help • Strategy

Texas Hold'em is one of the most exciting types of poker to play, because each hand presents four opportunities to bet, and because the community cards reveal a lot about what your opponents might have.

These reasons also make it one of the more difficult games. Dozens, if not hundreds, of books have been written just on Texas Hold'em strategy. Ph.D. dissertations have been written on it.

Certain fundamentals are clear, and easy to remember for the beginner:

Fold early and often

One of the nice things about Texas Hold'em is that you don't need to pay an ante every hand, so on the hands where you don't pay a blind, it costs you nothing to fold. Take advantage of this often! If you are not paying a blind, and especially if you are in the dealer position, don't stay in unless you have a strong deal. A strong deal means two high cards (nine or higher) or a pair. The exception, of course, is if you want to bluff.

Know your table position

Your strategy should differ depending on where you are at the table. If you're the dealer, you know you will be the last player to bet in each round. This is to your advantage, because by the time your turn rolls around, you already know something about your opponents' hands based on how they have bet.

Know your opponents

Are they loose? That is, do they bet a lot and take big risks? Or are they tight-fisted? Knowing your opponents personality can help you decide what their big bet means about their potential hand.

Know when to bluff

Bluffing is one of the most fun aspects of poker. It gets the adrenalyne going, and when it works it can make you feel like a king or queen. On the other hand, trying to bluff too often can backfire, and just end up costing you chips. You may have heard of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. If you have a reputation as a careful player, a well timed bluff can be perfect, though.

Do your research

If you're going to get serious about poker, get serious about learning about poker. Visit your local library or bookstore and learn something about the mathematics and psychology of the game.

(Also check this site frequently, as it will be updated with more tips and lessons.)