Reviews
Key Texas Hold em skills
It takes a lot to become a successful Texas Hold'em player. Naturally you need strategic knowledge about the game but there are other things that are just as important.
Money management
- Never play with borrowed money. You should always know how much you are prepared to lose.
- In Limit games your bankroll should be at least 300 times the big bet. If your bankroll is too small you will not prepared for the money swings that are unavoidable. Never play in games you can't afford.
- Always keep track of your winning rate. One big bet per hour is a good profit.
Discipline
- Never play in games where the opposition is too tough. If you overestimate your capacity you will pay dearly. There are many good Hold'em players out there but also many bad ones. Try to find soft games with weak competition.
- Strong starting hands are vital in Texas Hold'em. Periods with lousy cards are bound to come - you have to ride them out. If you start playing average or weak hands you will surely lose money.
- Only get involved in pots when you have a strong hand or a chance to make a successful bluff. The patience to wait for good opportunities will prove very valuable in the long run.
- Don't play if you're not physically and mentally prepared. Alcohol and poker (Hold'em or any other playing form) is a very bad combination. You should also refrain from playing if you're tired or upset in some way. If you can't control your temper you should stop playing immediately. Otherwise you might go "on tilt".
Flexibility
- Adapt to the flow of the game. When the game is loose you should play tight and vice versa.
- Make bad plays you wouldn't make normally and show your cards to the entire table. This will give your opponents an inaccurate impression of your playing style, and that is something you can take advantage of later on. This tactic is naturally most powerful when you know you'll be playing against the same opponents for quite some time.
- Take advantage of your table image. If you have a tight table image you're in a good position to bluff. Your opponents will think that you have a strong hand and probably throw away their cards. If you have a loose table image a strong hand can really pay off. The other players will think of you as a bluffer and are less likely to lay down their hands.
Observation skills
- Watch the other casino players during the game. How do they play their hands and what do their bets, raises, calls and checks mean? The information you gather will help you make correct decisions in the many tricky situations that always will occur in Texas Hold'em games.
- Listen to your opponents, many players give away lots of free information by talking too much. This will help you figure out what cards they are holding at any given time.
- Remember that the other players are watching (and listening to) you. Keep track of your table image and how your acting during the game - if you're giving away tells the other players will surely take advantage of that.
