Friday 28 September 2012

Insights On How To Successfully Participate In Texas Holdem

By Adrian Wildes


The game of Texas Holdem Poker (THP) is a very complex one that can have major variations in winnings, and as such, can be quite difficult for players to master. The strategy a player develops will be the key to how well he or she plays the game. The following details these strategies and how to play Texas Holdem poker.

For anyone not familiar with THP, each player is dealt two cards. From there, a community bank of cards is dealt in the middle of the table starting with the three-card Flop, the one-card Turn, and ending with the one-card River. Each player takes turns and either checks, bets, raises, or folds. The object is to build the most solid poker hand based on the two cards in one's hand mixed with the community cards. The player at the end of each round that either has the best poker hand or has bluffed everyone out, wins that hand. The last man (or woman!) standing at the end of all rounds is the champ.

There are many different strategies to utilize that will not only dictate what type of player one will be, but also tells opponents how they will need to play. One strategy, loose-passive, means that players play nearly every hand whether or not it is good, and either check or call each time around. This player has more opportunities to win, based strictly on number of chances, and thus, more opportunities to lose.

Tight-passive players will only play stronger hands but will not bet or raise until a previous opponent does so. This strategy is good, but if one wants to win, one must bet and not be easily read.

Another type of player strategy, called loose-aggressive, means that a player will play nearly every hand but will bet or raise pre-Flop (before the Flop has been dealt) and many times will go All-In (putting his or her entire winnings on the line) even if he or she has something that is definitely beatable. This tactic, known as bluffing, is a great way to outwit opponents but should only rarely be used, as luck is also a formidable opponent.

Additionally, there is the strategy of tight-aggressive. This involves only playing winning hands and always betting or raising pre-flop. This can reduce the losses one incurs, but it makes him or her the easiest player to read.

The best way to play and win at THP is by combining the four types of player. By keeping one's opponents guessing, he or she is more apt to be able to win, even if bluffing. One crucial thing to remember is that a normal game of THP can go on for hours, so being in great physical and mental condition is very important. Being patient is also a key factor. And finally, fold when one needs to fold.




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