Tue, 09/20/2011 – 07:40 – PokerPages Staff

Most players that are new to playing poker online at sites like PokerStars will generally use one simple strategy, bet and call if you have a hand and fold when you don’t. If you follow this simple, but somewhat predictable pattern, more experienced players will spot it, reel you in and take all of your money. Part of the journey from novice to intermediate player is learning some more subtle betting strategies, in order to not be so predictable.

Don’t call me, I’ll call you!

If you feel that your hand is promising, let’s say you have a pocket pair, but by the time the action has got round to you the bet is pretty high, what is the right course of action to take? Before automatically calling due to your hole cards, think about the motives of the players preceding you. What has made them bet so big? This tactic is especially vital after the flop has been dealt, as players will have more of an idea of the sort of hand they are able to build at this point.

Why did they bet Big?

Your big betting opponent is either holding a great hand or is trying to bluff you out of the game. Looking at the patterns of the bets from players around you, coupled with the community cards that have been dealt, should give you an indication of the sorts of cards the other player may have. If it’s likely that the player may have a better hand than you, it’s best to cut and run. Save your chips for the next hand!

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Thu, 09/08/2011 – 07:12 – PokerPages Staff

The Deal
After antes or blinds have been placed, the deal is carried out. Each player receives five hidden “hole” cards. Unlike Texas Hold ‘em, none of the cards are community cards, each player’s cards remain hidden until the showdown.

First Betting Round
After the deal, there is a first round of betting, this is undertaken by the player directly to the left of the dealer. Each player has the option to call, raise or fold, when it is his turn. A player choosing to call will add the same amount of money as the preceding player. A raise involves adding some more to the bets already placed, whilst folding players do not bet and take no further part in the hand. The first player in the round has the option of checking, where he neither bets nor folds, passing the responsibility of betting to his neighbor. Players can only check if no other player before them has bet. The round of betting concludes when each player has bet an equal amount or only one player remains.

The Draw
After the first round of betting is the draw. The draw is where players get to discard and replace cards in their hands, in the hopes of building a better hand. At this point, a player can change any cards in his hand, from all five cards, to not changing any. Following this draw is a second round of betting.

The Showdown
Once the second betting round has been completed, all remaining players must reveal their hands. The highest hand will be the winner.

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