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No Limit Texas Holdem Strategy
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With the continued success of ESPN’s nationally broadcast “World Series of
Poker”, the popularity of the game has skyrocketed. The past-time that was once
primarily the realm of a few buddies playing for beer money on a Saturday night
has suddenly become mainstream. Though poker encompasses a broad array of
different games, one of the most fun, yet challenging varieties is “No-Limit
Texas Hold ‘Em.”
Entire books have been devoted to the topic of poker strategy, so rather than
attempt an in-depth analysis, which would be virtually impossible in this
limited explanation, I will strictly cover the highlights.
The basics of Texas Hold ‘Em can be learned in minutes, but mastering the
subtle intricacies of the game can take a lifetime. The “No-Limit” version, is
just what the name implies, a game stripped of any rules or limitations
regarding maximum betting. There is nothing stopping a player from pushing his
entire pile of chips into the pot, so before deciding whether to stay or fold,
let’s take a quick look at how the game works.
To begin, two bets are put up, a bet of half of the minimum “small-blind” by
the player immediately to the dealers left, and another bet equal to the
minimum “big-blind” by the next player to the left. Please note, you will find
a variety of table minimums out there, such as $1-$2 or $2-$4. No other players
will bet at this time. Because the play rotates, each player will take turns as
dealer. At the open, each player will receive two hole cards face down, after
which the player to the left of the big blind commences the betting by either
matching the bet “call” or doubling it “raise”.
After the first round of betting is complete, three additional cards known
collectively as “the flop” will be placed face up on the table. These, as well
as the remaining two cards, are community cards, which can be used by any of
the players. After this, another round of betting begins.
After the flop, a fourth card is revealed, which is referred to as “the turn.”
Again, another round of betting takes place. Finally, the last card, known as
“the river” is added, followed by the final round of betting. From there, each
player still in the game will determine who wins by combining the two hole
cards with the five community cards on the table, to form the best five-card
poker hand possible.
Successful No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em play requires patience and skill, and
different strategies for different positions on the table. As a general rule,
it takes a stronger hand to win from an early position, as many players will
follow with the ability to raise a pot. Many players make the mistake of
playing too many hands. After the flop, you should have a good picture of your
hand, which is now roughly three-fourths complete. Staying in past this point
if a bet must be made is a mistake without a high-pair, or a good shot at
drawing to a straight or a flush.
With five cards available for everyone to see, it helps to make a mental image
of what possible hand each player might be holding. With three diamonds on the
board, for example, it is quite possible for an opposing player to have two
diamonds hidden in the hole, and thus a flush. If a player begins to bet
aggressively after the third diamond is played, be cautious. Naturally,
intuitively comparing the composition of your own hand with what your opponents
may hold is a vital first step.
Sometimes players needlessly stay in the game by hoping for a miracle on the
river card, and by this time you will know exactly where you stand. While it
isn’t typically advisable to call here without a strong hand, folding at this
stage of the game when there is a decent chance at winning can be disastrous,
so choose carefully. There are a number of charts available on the internet,
which dictate appropriate actions for different hands based upon reliably
proven statistics. I suggest learning these charts, and incorporating their
strategy into your play.
As with any poker game, the ability to make inferences about your opponents
based on their actions is a pre-requisite to effective play. Knowing when to
fold, when to call, when to raise, and when to bluff is as much a function of
your own cards as it is a conclusion that has been reached regarding the
probable reactions of other players on the table. Raking in a better than
average percentage of pots requires a poker player to be a shrewd judge of
character, with a delicate balance of mathematical acumen and common sense, all
grounded in solid strategy. Of course, a little luck never hurts either.
By: Nathan Slaughter
--< Watchdog
>--
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