Winning Poker Strategies
A Winning Poker Hand
When it comes to poker its the luck of the draw but for those who know the game its all about knowing when to bluff and when to fold. Strategies in poker can differ from person to person and their attitude and playing style will dictate their success. You should be aware what is a winning poker hand, having your bluff called can be disastrous when you are holding a bad hand.
A Basic Poker Strategies
1. Be Patient
In the game of poker, patience = money. Patience is a poker virtue which means wait on a good starting hand before putting money into the pot. Good poker players will only play about 20-30% of the hands dealt them in any given round. This means that about 70% of the time they will be folding and watching someone else walk away with the pot.
Develop a clear set of hands that you will “go in” with. Your starting hand selection is the #1 reason why you either win or lose money. If you don't have a clear starting hand requirement strategy, start there as you look to develop your own game.
2. Be Aggressive
Once you get the cards you are prepared to play, be bold, play them aggressively! Squeeze every cent you can out of them, don't sit calling, raise the stakes force out the weak players before they find the card they need make it hard for them to risk playing and staying in staying in cheap. Of course if you have the hottest hand, the best possible hand in the game string everyone along to build the pot nicely, but be careful this could backfire on you too.
3. Know when to Quit
Poker players have a term for when a player has become emotionally unable to play a good game. Its called “tilt.” Many things can cause you to go on tilt. Fatigue and frustration to name just a couple. If you feel tired, or you have taken several bad beats and are feeling frustrated, it might be wise to call it a night. At least take a break! You need to have your mind completely sharp and focused at the poker table.
4. Pick your game with care
Do not go into a higher limit game because “your” limit tables are all full. Do not go into a game where you feel you would be the “fish” or worst player. The ideal situation is a table that you are comfortable with the betting limits, and you believe you're one of the top players sitting down. If you ever get the inclination that you're the weak link, do not hesitate to get up and find another table. Wait patiently on a table that you can sit down and begin harvesting chips.
5. Consider your Bankrolls Size
Your bankroll stipulates where you should play. If you bring insufficient funds to the table, you will not be able to survive a run of bad cards early on, and may find yourself broke. What is sufficient funds? Preferably, in the high action games 100x the table limit. A good rule of thumb is don't bet more than you are prepared to lose. Compulsive gamblers have yet to learn this valuable lesson.
6. Take a “holistic” Approach
Poker should not be measured in single games. It should be looked at as a lifelong endeavour. If you won $100 tonight, but you lost $500 last night, you are not up $100...you're down $400! On the flip side of that thought, if you had a bad night tonight, losing $70, but you won $200 last night, you're most definitely up $130. Keep track of your wins and losses. Even good poker players have slumps, but if over the long haul, you're losing money, then you need to take a serious look at your game to find and correct your weaknesses.