No matter what poker you play, whether is the popular Texas Hold ‘em or any other variant, playing poker is really a long term game. The learning goes on for ever; as long as you keep playing; and serious players consider playing poker a skill, not gambling. While this is certainly true to a degree, it is still a gamble to see what is dealt out of the deck, and this element of luck is the gamble – the bit you can’t control. But then again, so is running the 100m sprint in the Olympics, you can’t control what surprises the other teams spring, and it is for the skill factor that poker has been recognized as a professional “SPORT” in many countries.
If you are popping off to Vegas or you want a quick lesson so you can join in the fun at an online poker room without being embarrassed, remember, this could be the start of a very long relationship. The relationship between you and poker!
Luck makes the game interesting, intriguing and even if you make all the right decisions you can still lose. You can win this game, without a winning hand, you can bluff, use psychology to wear your opponents down and you can watch idiots play and win every single hand. Embrace all these nuance of the game and keep playing “right” poker, you will be a great player in the long term. Playing poker is fun, and not to be taken TOO seriously, and Texas Hold ‘em is the most widely played variant.
In a 30 second crash course:
You are dealt 2 hole cards, and the best hand wins in showdown, so your hole cards have to be the basis of a starter hand. Play the best hands before the flop; they will then be the best post-flop. This game is just as much about the hands you fold as the hands you play. Never play too many hands, it throws your money away, this is called tight play and Texas Hold ‘em is a tight aggressive game.
Play 18 – 20% of your hands only – this is tight, loose players (most players) will play 30% of starter hands and they are the players who make you money as long as you stay tight. Hand strength is your goal!
Think about the cards on the board in relationship to your hole cards – Hold ‘em is a community game. But before you see the flop (community cards dealt) think about what hand your hole cards could make. You are looking for kickers; AA,KK,QQ,JJ obviously. Top pair hands are: AK-AJ, KQ, these are definitely pre-flop starter hole cards. Players often flop the same pair in Texas Hold ‘em, and a kicker will be the tie-breaker.
Tight play will see you only investing your money in winning hands, learn as much as you can about starters and winning the battle of the kickers. You are looking for strong connectors, pocket pairs, A-X suited and perhaps a couple more, but remember you will only be playing 18 – 20% of the hands you are dealt!
