Here are some useful strategies to assist you in becomming a better hold em player.
The information in this blog is in no way meant to promote gambling. It provides information on hold em to be used in its legal and non-gambling applications.
Todays Hold Em Article
Online Poker can be profitable, but be sure to choose the right table!
1. PLAYERS & POT SIZES...
As a general rule, 6-8 players with a fairly large average pot size.
With most online poker sites you can see the average pot size and how many players are seeing the flop. Large pots are better as this generally means more loose players, playing no limit I'm looking to win big hands when I've got the nuts, not to grind down opponents by blind stealing and small pot stealing. I avoid most really tight games, rocks are boring and unprofitable typically. No limit is about getting paid off when you hit your monster, not stealing blinds all day.
A good table for me is one that is loose, but that is also not overly aggressive. I'm looking for a lot of players limping or calling small raises pre-flop.
2. The average number of players seeing the flop...
If you can see the average # of players seeing the flop, this is a hugely vital stat to use. Lower limits you can easily find something around 35-40%, which is pretty darn loose. Find this stat and then get one with a higher than average pot.
Sites like Bodog and Sportsbook.com will show you how many players are seeing the flop on average. I look for games with high averages seeing the flop, anything over 40% is usually good and very easy to find online.
The majority of times this makes for a good table as a tight aggressive player will play between 20% and 35% of any given hands on average, and in my opinion 35% is loooooose.
3. Watch the Button go around the table at least once - and pay attention!
Now that you've found a table with numbers that look pretty good its time to actually take a quick overhead view of the table and see what happens. Open up the table but do not sit down, or if you want you can sit down but not take your cards yet. If you are playing at Poker Stars, here is a screen shot of the table.
Take an open seat and pay attention! Watch the button go all the way around the table and take an initial assement of the table. Here are the things to look for:
A. Players limping and then calling a late position raise with weak holdings (hands like KQo, KJo, KTo, and other dominated hands like QJ (this is a good sign)
B. Look around the table at the current stack sizes - normally avoid tables where more than 3 players have 3 to 4 times the maximum buy in amount. These players can easily push me out of pots or have me committed early. They also might be solid players. (bad sign)
C. Take notice of the cards people are showing down. Look for weak holdings outside of the blinds offsuit small one gappers, Ace rag unsuited, and the plethora of other bad cards people play with. (more junk the better)
D. Take notice of who raises and who calls raises - are premium hands raised huge or limped with and are other players calling raises with weak holdings (good)
E. Any Maniacs at the table? - is there a crazy bettor or people who seem to be out to hit miracle cards by calling big bets? (good depending on seat) If you can get position on them (acting afterwards) you can get paid off when you hit a monster against them. The only problem is that you almost have to hit your hand to beat this player so you need to also feel confident that they will also pay you off when you do.
F. Who are the two worst players at the table? (can't tell? BAD) Pick out two players that are playing weak and have made mistakes. See who is playing really loose, who is playing really tight.
G. Look for players making small raises (1-2x the BB) with premium hands or even slow playing. (good, probably inexperienced players)
4. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD SEAT RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE TABLE...
A. This means sitting directly to the left of the Maniacs and the other Big Stacks so you always act after them. If you have a big hand you have the option to disguise it by letting them bet it for you. If you have a weak hand you can let it go fairly easily.
B. Give up position to short stacks/tight players - no problem letting the act after you if they are only going to play strong hands or not get involved often.
If you find the right combination of table factors and good relative seat then snag it! Since you've been watching the action already you can post as soon as you sit down if you want. This helps portray a loose image. If the big blind is 4 seats or less away from me I'll wait and post as soon as I sit down, although I sometimes post right away to make people think I'm loose.
5. IF THE TABLE TURNS COLD, GET UP AND MOVE...
Nothing is worse than staying at a bad table. Many times you'll find yourself sitting at a table with a bunch of tight and aggressive players. Unless you are wanting to work on your game, get up and move and go make money. Don't think that you've got something to prove.
6. TAKE NOTES...
I logged on to Party Poker yesterday to play a tourney with some friends and there were over 70,000 players playing right then. You'll probably never see a player again but if you find anyone who is horrible, take a note and especially when you find the good players, make a note. It could save you your stack later.
I recommend reading through Full Tilt Poker Download Guide for a step by step tutorial on setting a your online poker account. This is a great resource for new players.
Thanks and we'll see you at the tables!
Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/no-limit-holdem-table-selection-tips.htm
Latest Hold Em News:
2008 WSOP Event #39, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em: Massive Field Reaches Money
Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:44:00 -0700
In a lightning-quick Day 1, over 90% of the field was eliminated in Event #39, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em. 2,720 players signed up for the event, with only 218 surviving to Day 2. Michael Polcari ended Day 1 as the chip leader...
2008 WSOP Event #38, $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em Day 2: Von Halle Heads Final
Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:16:00 -0700
Jan Von Halle shot up from near the bottom of the chip count when Day 2 began to become the clear leader going into the final table, sitting on a third more chips than his closest competitor. The German pro, husband of Team Pokerstars...
FREE : 'Harrington on Cash Games: I & II' NEW!
by: Dan Harrington & Bill Robertie
Get Harrington's must read books on no-limit texas holdem cash games & other free poker stuff with our Free Gift Offer....
GET YOUR FREE COPY! | BUY NOW
Play Better Pool
Everything Music
Mens Workouts
Joke of the Day
free online poker | poker tricks | winning poker
Todays Hold Em Article
Online Poker can be profitable, but be sure to choose the right table!
1. PLAYERS & POT SIZES...
As a general rule, 6-8 players with a fairly large average pot size.
With most online poker sites you can see the average pot size and how many players are seeing the flop. Large pots are better as this generally means more loose players, playing no limit I'm looking to win big hands when I've got the nuts, not to grind down opponents by blind stealing and small pot stealing. I avoid most really tight games, rocks are boring and unprofitable typically. No limit is about getting paid off when you hit your monster, not stealing blinds all day.
A good table for me is one that is loose, but that is also not overly aggressive. I'm looking for a lot of players limping or calling small raises pre-flop.
2. The average number of players seeing the flop...
If you can see the average # of players seeing the flop, this is a hugely vital stat to use. Lower limits you can easily find something around 35-40%, which is pretty darn loose. Find this stat and then get one with a higher than average pot.
Sites like Bodog and Sportsbook.com will show you how many players are seeing the flop on average. I look for games with high averages seeing the flop, anything over 40% is usually good and very easy to find online.
The majority of times this makes for a good table as a tight aggressive player will play between 20% and 35% of any given hands on average, and in my opinion 35% is loooooose.
3. Watch the Button go around the table at least once - and pay attention!
Now that you've found a table with numbers that look pretty good its time to actually take a quick overhead view of the table and see what happens. Open up the table but do not sit down, or if you want you can sit down but not take your cards yet. If you are playing at Poker Stars, here is a screen shot of the table.
Take an open seat and pay attention! Watch the button go all the way around the table and take an initial assement of the table. Here are the things to look for:
A. Players limping and then calling a late position raise with weak holdings (hands like KQo, KJo, KTo, and other dominated hands like QJ (this is a good sign)
B. Look around the table at the current stack sizes - normally avoid tables where more than 3 players have 3 to 4 times the maximum buy in amount. These players can easily push me out of pots or have me committed early. They also might be solid players. (bad sign)
C. Take notice of the cards people are showing down. Look for weak holdings outside of the blinds offsuit small one gappers, Ace rag unsuited, and the plethora of other bad cards people play with. (more junk the better)
D. Take notice of who raises and who calls raises - are premium hands raised huge or limped with and are other players calling raises with weak holdings (good)
E. Any Maniacs at the table? - is there a crazy bettor or people who seem to be out to hit miracle cards by calling big bets? (good depending on seat) If you can get position on them (acting afterwards) you can get paid off when you hit a monster against them. The only problem is that you almost have to hit your hand to beat this player so you need to also feel confident that they will also pay you off when you do.
F. Who are the two worst players at the table? (can't tell? BAD) Pick out two players that are playing weak and have made mistakes. See who is playing really loose, who is playing really tight.
G. Look for players making small raises (1-2x the BB) with premium hands or even slow playing. (good, probably inexperienced players)
4. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD SEAT RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE TABLE...
A. This means sitting directly to the left of the Maniacs and the other Big Stacks so you always act after them. If you have a big hand you have the option to disguise it by letting them bet it for you. If you have a weak hand you can let it go fairly easily.
B. Give up position to short stacks/tight players - no problem letting the act after you if they are only going to play strong hands or not get involved often.
If you find the right combination of table factors and good relative seat then snag it! Since you've been watching the action already you can post as soon as you sit down if you want. This helps portray a loose image. If the big blind is 4 seats or less away from me I'll wait and post as soon as I sit down, although I sometimes post right away to make people think I'm loose.
5. IF THE TABLE TURNS COLD, GET UP AND MOVE...
Nothing is worse than staying at a bad table. Many times you'll find yourself sitting at a table with a bunch of tight and aggressive players. Unless you are wanting to work on your game, get up and move and go make money. Don't think that you've got something to prove.
6. TAKE NOTES...
I logged on to Party Poker yesterday to play a tourney with some friends and there were over 70,000 players playing right then. You'll probably never see a player again but if you find anyone who is horrible, take a note and especially when you find the good players, make a note. It could save you your stack later.
I recommend reading through Full Tilt Poker Download Guide for a step by step tutorial on setting a your online poker account. This is a great resource for new players.
Thanks and we'll see you at the tables!
Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/no-limit-holdem-table-selection-tips.htm
Latest Hold Em News:
2008 WSOP Event #39, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em: Massive Field Reaches Money
Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:44:00 -0700
In a lightning-quick Day 1, over 90% of the field was eliminated in Event #39, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em. 2,720 players signed up for the event, with only 218 surviving to Day 2. Michael Polcari ended Day 1 as the chip leader...
2008 WSOP Event #38, $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em Day 2: Von Halle Heads Final
Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:16:00 -0700
Jan Von Halle shot up from near the bottom of the chip count when Day 2 began to become the clear leader going into the final table, sitting on a third more chips than his closest competitor. The German pro, husband of Team Pokerstars...
FREE : 'Harrington on Cash Games: I & II' NEW!
by: Dan Harrington & Bill Robertie
Get Harrington's must read books on no-limit texas holdem cash games & other free poker stuff with our Free Gift Offer....
GET YOUR FREE COPY! | BUY NOW
Play Better Pool
Everything Music
Mens Workouts
Joke of the Day
free online poker | poker tricks | winning poker
Labels: poker strategies | poker online
posted by Snake Eyes at 12:08 AM
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