This is a documentation for Board Game Arena: play board games online !

Tips texasholdem: Difference between revisions

From Board Game Arena
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "Texas Hold'em strategy is a huge topic, with countless web pages, books, podcasts, videos, and every other medium imaginable, wholly devoted to the subject. A comprehensive strategy guide to Texas Hold'em Poker, that would fit all experience levevls, is completely unfeasible, so this article will be aimed at beginners, and have the perspective of examining just a few of the '''common pitfalls''' that Texas Hold'em beginners often make. So, without further ado, what ''no...")
 
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
Texas Hold'em strategy is a huge topic, with countless web pages, books, podcasts, videos, and every other medium imaginable, wholly devoted to the subject. A comprehensive strategy guide to Texas Hold'em Poker, that would fit all experience levevls, is completely unfeasible, so this article will be aimed at beginners, and have the perspective of examining just a few of the '''common pitfalls''' that Texas Hold'em beginners often make.
== Know Your Hand==


So, without further ado, what ''not'' to do when playing Texas Hold'em Poker...!
Learn the hand rankings to identify what your hole cards plus the revealed community cards make. Don't forget about straights and flushes.


== Not knowing what hand you have ==
== Consider Your Opponents' Hands ==
Learn the hand rankings and learn to without failure identify what hand your hole cards plus the so-far revealed community cards make! Don't forget about straights and flushes!


== Ignoring what hand the opponent has ==
So you played your {{club|K}} {{spade|4}} and the flop came down {{club|10}} {{heart|A}} {{diamond|K}}. You have a high pair, so you bet the flop, bet the turn, and go all-in on the river, right?
So you played your K4 and the flop came down, T, A, K. You hit a nice high pair! So you bet the flop, bet the turn, and go all-in on the river, right?


Well, hang on. Is it possible your opponent has a better hand? There's an Ace on the table. '''Any hole card Ace crushes your KK hand!''' What else?
Well, hang on. Could your opponent have a better hand? There's an {{heart|A}} on the table. If your opponent is holding an {{card|A}}, that beats your hand. What else?


* They could have TT, making a three-of-a-kind.
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
* They could have QJ, making a straight.
  <li>They could have {{card|10}} {{card|10}}, making a three-of-a-kind</li>
* They could have their own king '''with a higher kicker!'''
  <li>They could have {{card|Q}} {{card|J}}, making a straight</li>
  <li>They could have their own {{card|K}} with something higher than your {{spade|4}}</li>
</ul>


There are '''tons''' of hands that beat your really impressive-looking royal pair!
Ignoring what else is on the table and how the other players have acted is a common beginner's mistake. Always use your opponent's actions and the cards at the table to inform your estimate of what they could have.
 
Ignoring what else is on the table and ignoring how the other players have acted so far, just merrily playing your own hand, is a super common beginner mistake. Always use your opponent's actions, and the cards at the table, to inform your estimate of what they could have - are you likely the one with the strongest hand or not?


== Limping ==
== Limping ==
To "limp" is poker lingo that means "calling the big blind", that is, in the pre-flop betting round, you only call the minimum amount necessary to stay in the hand. Now, there is ''some'' place for almost every play... But ''in general'' limping is considered a mistake the majority of the time. Why?
* If your hole cards are '''good''', then you're better off '''betting''' so that you get more chips when you (hopefully) win the hand!
* If your hole cards are '''playable''' but not fantastic, then you're better off '''betting''' so that hopefully some or all of the other players '''fold''', so you don't have to win against them all at showdown!
* If your hole cards are '''bad''', you should '''fold them'''! Limping terrible hands is a certain way to bleed chips until you suddenly find yourself with the smallest stack and are eventually eliminated.
* The big blind player is already in. If everyone limps, you let the big blind see the flop '''for free''', giving them a free chance to improve and win the hand they would otherwise have folded. Any Poker player can tell you about loads of hands where they were the big blind, everyone limped, they got to check their terrible hand as the BB, flopped a miracle improvement, and won the hand.
* Someone after you can raise, and you'll have to fold your bad or mediocre hand, losing your limped bet. You would have saved the chips if you folded immediately.
Again, it ''sometimes'' makes sense to limp. But if you are the type of player who already limps the majority of your hands, this is almost certainly a huge leak that you should plug ASAP. Later, you can bring back limping for the select hands and situations where it may make sense.
== Calling too often ==
Corollary to the above, a related, also very common beginner pattern is to call excessively, as opposed to re-raising or folding.


* When you '''call''' you will not make the opponent '''fold'''! If you want to make the opponent fold (whether you are bluffing or semi-bluffing), you must '''re-raise'''.
To "limp" means "calling the big blind". In the pre-flop betting round, you only call the minimum amount necessary to stay in the hand. In general, limping is considered a mistake the majority of the time. Why?
* If you don't think you have the best hand, and you don't think you can make the opponent fold by raising/re-raising, you must '''fold''', not call!
* You call because you want to see the next card, or see showdown, right? That's the only reasons to call, if you want to accomplish anything else you should choose another action! But when you call while not being the last to act, it is easy for someone after you to re-raise. This puts you in a very difficult position, as suddently you're not allowed to see the next card unless you pay more, much more than you would like to pay. This, being caught between a raise and a subsequent player's re-raise, is called being ''sqeueezed'' in poker lingo, by the way. It's as uncomfortable as it sounds.
* For goodness sake, '''don't "call as a bluff"'''. Don't call if you have nothing! Re-raise if you want to bluff!


== Never believing other players ==
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
Poker is a game of communication. You communicate with the other players via your bets and actions. As in any communication, statements can be truthful, or untruthful.
  <li>If your hole cards are '''good''', then you're better off betting so that you get more chips when you (hopefully) win.</li>
  <li>If your hole cards are '''playable''' but not fantastic, then you're better off betting so that other players fold.</li>
  <li>If your hole cards are '''bad''', you should fold. Limping terrible hands leads to bleeding chips until you are eventually eliminated.</li>
  <li>Because the big blind player is always in, if everyone limps, that player can see the flop "for free", giving them a chance to improve their hand and win.</li>
  <li>If someone after you raises, you'll have to fold your bad/mediocre hand, losing your limped bet. Better to fold immediately.</li>
</ul>


Perhaps because Poker is probably the first game anyone thinks of when saying "bluffing", some players play as if they ''never'' believe what any of the other players are saying. This again ties into "Calling to often" and "Ignoring what hand the opponent has", above.
== When to Call ==


If your opponent bets or raises you, they are saying: "I think I have a better hand than you!"
Another common beginner pattern is to call excessively. Calling will not make the opponent fold. If you want to make the opponent fold (whether you are bluffing or not), you must '''re-raise'''. If you don't think you have the best hand ''and'' you don't think you can make the opponent fold by raising/re-raising, you must '''fold''', not call.


If your opponent calls or checks, they are saying: "I'm not sure who has the better hand, I'd like to see more cards / go to showdown."
The only reasons to call are to see the next card or stay in for the showdown. Anything else should use another action. If you call while not being the last to act, someone after you can re-raise. This puts you in a difficult situation: you're not allowed to see the next card unless you pay more.  


'''Sometimes they will be telling you the truth.''' Not always. But at least make sure you have listened to what they are saying before you make your decision.
Don't call as a bluff. Re-raise if you want to bluff.


"But what if they don't have it?" Well, what if they ''do''? Are you willing to lose the game on this hand if they do?
== Believe Other Players ==


Oh, and if you are playing ''against'' this type of player who never believe others have anything... Don't bluff! They won't believe you and they will call your bluff! :)
Poker is a game of communication via bets and actions. Statements can be truthful or untruthful. Don't play as if the other players are always bluffing. If your opponent bets/raises, they are saying: "I think I have a better hand than you." If your opponent calls/checks, they are saying: "I'm not sure who has the better hand, I'd like to see more cards/go to showdown." Sometimes they ''will'' be bluffing, but at least listen to what they are saying before deciding that.


== Never folding ==
== Fold When Needed ==
From the above topics - Ignoring the opponent's hand, limping, calling too much, and never believing other players - we can see an overarching theme: the tendency among many newer players to '''be overly reluctant to fold'''. Of course many players also have the opposite problem of playing too nitty and folding way too many hands. But in general, it is more common that beginners fold too seldom, '''especially pre-flop''', and get into way too many pots with terrible hands, losing huge amounts of chips in the process.


* '''Folding has a known value - zero!''' You cannot lose '''more''' chips by folding. In that sense, folding is "safe".
Many new players are either reluctant to fold or fold too much. Folding has a known value: '''zero'''. You cannot lose more chips by folding. In that sense, folding is "safe". If you are going to fold, fold early and escape before being forced to fold on the turn (at which point there may be 10x more in the pot).
* If you are going to fold - fold early! You are escaping so much more cheaply folding a bad hand pre-flop, than being forced to fold it on the turn with 10 times as much in the pot.


== Ignoring position ==
== Position ==
Lastly, let's try to summarize a huge topic on which there have surely been entire books written.


In poker, the player acting ''last'' has a big advantage - they get to see what all the other players do first, to inform their own choice! Being after someone else to act is called playing ''in position'' to them, and acting before someone else is being ''out of position'' to them. In a multiway pot you can be in position to some players and out of position to others. On the flop, turn, and river betting rounds, '''the dealer is always in position to everyone''', making it the best seat to have.
The last-acting player has a big advantage by seeing what the other players do first. This is called playing ''in position''. Acting before someone else is being ''out of position''. When pots are split, you can be in position to some players and out of position to others.  


If you are in an early position, out of position to many players, all hands become a lot more tricky to play, and there are many more ways they can go wrong.
On the flop, turn, and river, the dealer is always in position to everyone, making it the best seat. Small blind is a difficult position. If everyone before you has folded, you only need to make one player (the big blind) fold to take the pot. If the players stay in, you are out of position to the big blind in all betting rounds. Big blind will act last pre-flop, but is early, often first, to act in every subsequent betting round.


* In early position, fold a lot more hands. When you're the button, be willing to play far more hands.
Fold more often if you are in an early position or out of position to most players. When you're the dealer, play more often. Calling in early/middle position opens you up for a great risk of being forced to raise to stay in.
* Calling in early/middle position opens you up for a great risk of being squeezed.
* Small blind is a difficult position. If everyone before you have folded, you know you only need to make one player (the big blind) fold to take the pot. On the other hand, you are out of position to the big blind in all betting rounds. If you bet with a mediocre hand and they call, or you miss the flop, you can be in trouble. If multiple players are still in the hand when it's your turn to act, the small blind is a very tough position - You are out of position to everyone and the big blind can even squeeze you right now!
* Big blind has the advantage of being last to act pre-flop, but then you are early, and often first, to act in every subsequent betting round.

Latest revision as of 18:15, 19 December 2025

Know Your Hand

Learn the hand rankings to identify what your hole cards plus the revealed community cards make. Don't forget about straights and flushes.

Consider Your Opponents' Hands

So you played your K♣ 4♠ and the flop came down 10♣ A♥ K♦. You have a high pair, so you bet the flop, bet the turn, and go all-in on the river, right?

Well, hang on. Could your opponent have a better hand? There's an A♥ on the table. If your opponent is holding an A, that beats your hand. What else?

  • They could have 10 10, making a three-of-a-kind
  • They could have Q J, making a straight
  • They could have their own K with something higher than your 4♠

Ignoring what else is on the table and how the other players have acted is a common beginner's mistake. Always use your opponent's actions and the cards at the table to inform your estimate of what they could have.

Limping

To "limp" means "calling the big blind". In the pre-flop betting round, you only call the minimum amount necessary to stay in the hand. In general, limping is considered a mistake the majority of the time. Why?

  • If your hole cards are good, then you're better off betting so that you get more chips when you (hopefully) win.
  • If your hole cards are playable but not fantastic, then you're better off betting so that other players fold.
  • If your hole cards are bad, you should fold. Limping terrible hands leads to bleeding chips until you are eventually eliminated.
  • Because the big blind player is always in, if everyone limps, that player can see the flop "for free", giving them a chance to improve their hand and win.
  • If someone after you raises, you'll have to fold your bad/mediocre hand, losing your limped bet. Better to fold immediately.

When to Call

Another common beginner pattern is to call excessively. Calling will not make the opponent fold. If you want to make the opponent fold (whether you are bluffing or not), you must re-raise. If you don't think you have the best hand and you don't think you can make the opponent fold by raising/re-raising, you must fold, not call.

The only reasons to call are to see the next card or stay in for the showdown. Anything else should use another action. If you call while not being the last to act, someone after you can re-raise. This puts you in a difficult situation: you're not allowed to see the next card unless you pay more.

Don't call as a bluff. Re-raise if you want to bluff.

Believe Other Players

Poker is a game of communication via bets and actions. Statements can be truthful or untruthful. Don't play as if the other players are always bluffing. If your opponent bets/raises, they are saying: "I think I have a better hand than you." If your opponent calls/checks, they are saying: "I'm not sure who has the better hand, I'd like to see more cards/go to showdown." Sometimes they will be bluffing, but at least listen to what they are saying before deciding that.

Fold When Needed

Many new players are either reluctant to fold or fold too much. Folding has a known value: zero. You cannot lose more chips by folding. In that sense, folding is "safe". If you are going to fold, fold early and escape before being forced to fold on the turn (at which point there may be 10x more in the pot).

Position

The last-acting player has a big advantage by seeing what the other players do first. This is called playing in position. Acting before someone else is being out of position. When pots are split, you can be in position to some players and out of position to others.

On the flop, turn, and river, the dealer is always in position to everyone, making it the best seat. Small blind is a difficult position. If everyone before you has folded, you only need to make one player (the big blind) fold to take the pot. If the players stay in, you are out of position to the big blind in all betting rounds. Big blind will act last pre-flop, but is early, often first, to act in every subsequent betting round.

Fold more often if you are in an early position or out of position to most players. When you're the dealer, play more often. Calling in early/middle position opens you up for a great risk of being forced to raise to stay in.

Retrieved from "http:///index.php?title=Tips_texasholdem&oldid=27794"