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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Mon, 09/19/2011 – 07:21 – PokerPages Staff

Whether you are playing poker online at PokerStars, live with friends or in a casino, you are going to end up in a showdown scenario at the end of a hand. Whilst online, many of the rules are followed automatically. There are certain nuances of this part of the game that you should be aware of, to avoid potential embarrassment or annoying your fellow players at a live table.

Getting to a Showdown
If two or more players stand tall after the last round of poker betting, there will need to be a showdown to work out who wins. There are three basic scenarios to a showdown. If only one player remains, winning the hand, this player is not obliged to show his hand. If multiple players remain, the player with the best-ranked hand wins the pot. If the unlikely occurrence of a tie arises, the pot is split between the two players.

Order of Business
To avoid any potential gamesmanship at this point of the game, it is expected that the player who made the last positive action – IE he were the last player to bet or raise – must show his cards first, and the rest follow in a clockwise manner. It is important when playing live to show all of your cards, whether you are winning the hand or not.

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