Useful Texas Hold Em Poker Online Game Tips

Terrific Flop

Flopping a set or top two pair with a safe board is a flop you’ll like. However, you need to be sure the board is safe before you slow play these hands. If you have A-Q and the flop contains A-Q-4 of mixed suits, there really is very little chance that you’re beaten or even up against a good draw. While you usually want to avoid giving an opponent a free card, with this flop there are not too many cards that can hurt you. Since the board contains mixed suits, there is no flush draw, and any straight draw is to an inside straight. Sure, you could be up against an opponent holding 5-4 and if another four comes on the turn he will have taken the lead. But that opponent only has two cards in the deck that help him – and if he’s willing to stick around in the face of those odds, you’ll earn so much from him in the long run.

In limit hold’em, you’ll almost never release a set, especially when there is no probable flush or straight. But if you think you could be up against a bigger set, you might want to hold your fire when the raising starts on the turn.

Let’s have a look at an example. You hold 7-7, and the flop is 9-7-3. You will assume your set is the best hand. If one of your opponents holds 9-9, you will not realize that he also holds a set until you are reraised on the turn. When you lose a set-over-set hand, it will cost you some chips. There’s no way to avoid it. In fact, if you don’t lose a lot of chips in this situation you’re probably playing much too passively. But there is some good news: This situation does not occur very often.

Example:

You hold 7 -7

Your opponent holds 9 -9

The board shows 9 -7 -3

Your hand: A set of 7’s

Your opponent’s hand: A set of 9’s

Both you and your opponent hold a set, however his set is the better since he has the top set on the board and you have the second best set. At this point in the hand if you were to continue on you would not be drawing completely dead, because another 7 still exists in the deck.

Good Flops

Two pair, an overpair, or top pair with a good kicker is another group of flops you’re bound to like. You need to be a bit more aware of your opponents’ actions with these hands, however, since they are not unbeatable.

With two pair you can either bet out, or if the board looks very safe, you can try for a checkraise if you believe one of your opponents will bet. When you hold top pair or an overpair you should come out betting most of the time. But if you’re sure a player to your right will bet, trying for a checkraise allows you to narrow the field — and increases your chances for winning. Like many in hold’em, where you have to consider the previous action, the size of the pot, and the usual behavior of your opponents before making your decision.

When you are in late position, and your opponents have checked to you, you’ve got a decision to make. Are they checking poor hands and planning to fold if you bet, or are they checking very good hands, hoping for a bet so they can checkraise?

If you’re in early position you might want to try for a check raise, and if successful you’ll be able to minimize your opposition and get additional money into a pot you’re favored to win. But you’re walking a fine line. You must avoid giving your opponents a free card, since that card might one they beat you with.

Extra knowledge provided – poker ranking of hands and 7 hand poker.

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