Basic Poker Strategies and Tips of Online Poker Games
TIPS FOR PLUNGING INTO THE POKER POOL
Just a few years ago, I sat in a Las Vegas poker room and listened to a floorman brush people into the room with a barkers call. Come in and try poker, folks, hed yell from the raiL Its just like youve seen on TV.
Since then, as poker has exploded into one of the hottest phenomenons on television, millions of people have been lured by the sirens call. Many, however, have risked their money withŽout understanding the basics. If you feel youre ready to take the plunge into these dangerous waters, let me be the first to offer some shark repellant. Heres some realistic, practical advice that you wont get from watching the pros on TV.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
More than 20 years ago, poker legend Doyle Texas Dolly Brunson assembled a brain trust and created the poker players bible titled Super System. Subsequently, Brunson lamented that hed given away his secrets and taught a group of youngsters to play like pros. Now, just about every pro on the block has a book, and youd do yourself a favor by reading a few of them. Lee Joness Winning Low-Limit Holdem is a great primer for beginning players. Also look for names like Tom McEvoy, CloutiŽer and David Sklansky to help you further your skills. Poker is a game that comŽbines mathematics with psychology, and no amount of television-watching will prepare you better than a few days with a few strong poker instruction books.
PLAY IN YOUR UNDERWEAR
By this I mean rather than head straight for a card room, you should log on to the Internet and practice what youve learned in the books. (Actually playing in your underwear is optional. The anonymity of the Internet allows you, the inexperienced player, to practice without fear of embarrassment until youre comfortable with your game. Online poker also allows you to see dozens more hands per hour than youd see in a real game, so youll gain experience much faster. If you dont feel comfortable playing for real monŽey, many online poker rooms allow you to compete with play money against real players.
PICK YOUR GAME
The majority of televised poker is based on no-limit Texas Holdem. This is only natural, since no-limit poker is a more action packed version of the game. As a beginning player, youll want to understand that, in a no-limit game, you can lose every chip front of you on one hand. The swings of the game are much easier to take if you take advantage of a structured limit game. Limit games are a very good way to ease into poker without losing more money than you can afford. Trust me, the no-limit games will be there when youre ready.
HUBRIS, BE GONE
Before you sit down at a table, accept the fact that youre mo Dolly Madison than Texas Dolly. Youre going to make a mistake and trying to pretend that youre experienced isnt going to p vent you from doing so. Dont be afraid to ask questions of t dealer. If youre friendly and treat the dealers with respect, they will help you until youre familiar enough with the game to ride without training wheels. There are, however, a lot of rules of ethique in a poker room that may differ from a typical home game.
Three of the big ones are:
Wait until its your turn before betting or folding.
Dont talk about your hand or the cards on the table.
When its your turn, clearly announce your intentions to raise or fold.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Entering a poker game is like being poolside at a Vegas re before jumping in, you want to know how deep the water While you always want to enter a game with the intention of ning, you must accept that poker is a game of wild swings, your bankroll must be able to support you. Before you sit down a table, figure out how much youre prepared to lose. An way to determine this in a limit game is to multiply the big bet 25. For instance, in a $5/$10 game, if youre not willing to $250, you should consider playing $4/$8 or $2/$4. In no- good rule of thumb is to multiply the big blind by 100, If arent willing to lose $500, you should avoid the $2/$5 game and find a nice $1/$2 no-limit table.
Now its time to turn off your TV. Theres a seat with your name on it, and this time there wont be any commercials in between hands.