Most individuals have no beginning preflop texas holdem strategy; they sit at a poker table trying to play as quickly as possible without being aware of their surroundings and whom they’re playing with. This is a common mistake most poker players make. Before jumping into the action and starting to bet like a maniac, consider the following preflop strategy:
Number of Players: Is your table a full or short handed (Six players or less) game? With a full table of nine or ten players, it’s likely someone’s holding a strong hand or overcards (AA, KK, AK, AQ, etc) that can easily beat your hand. Also, the chances of someone else’s hole cards fitting the flop will be much better. You should take this into consideration, and play your hand as cautious as possible. But before getting into the action consider the next important point:
Type of Opponents: As explained in Lesson Two of identifying your opponents, the most crucial information you can obtain is how your opponents play and adjust to their style of play. Usually, I would sit at a table and not play for the first five minutes; I let the button and blinds pass me once before I start jumping in, unless I pick up a nice hand like AA, KK, AQ, etc. After identifying who are weak and strong opponents, I then start picking up pots off the weak players. But before I start hammering with bets and take those pots, I like to consider the next important point:
Your position: Position is very important, as I will elaborate in lesson four. Players in late position or last to act (preferably on the dealer button) have a great advantage than those acting ahead. Players acting last can observe the action taking place before them and also have the ability to influence the size of the pot. At times, your position may be more valuable than the cards you hold.
Stack Size: A player with a large stack dominates his opponents and can scare or drive opponents out of the pot and fold, giving them the fear of being eliminated. On the other hand, watch out for players with short stacks. If they are still in a pot, they’re usually all in at some point or another.
The First Five Minutes
First things first, determine exactly what everyone’s trying to accomplish. Is the individual there to learn, have fun or play for a living? Most of your profit in no limit holdem games is going to come from picking a target and going after him. A lesson taken from the movie Rounders: “If you can’t spot the sucker within the first half hour, then you are the sucker.”
Figure out who is winning and who is losing. People usually don’t play as well when they are losing, therefore a losing player may be an easier target. In no limit, you have to learn and understand people you play against. The strategy you used yesterday could be worthless today. You need to know what kind of game plan you are going to use and know the game plan you will be using will be the right one.
Another individual you should target are player’s who are excessively drinking. Pick on the drunk guy who’s just there to have a good time and gamble. You may get a few bad beats from time to time with drunks because of there willingness to take chances more often, but in the long run they’ll pay you off nicely.
In the first five minutes, try to establish a dominating presence at the table. You don’t want to be someone else’s mark. If no one are the table knows you, they might mark you as a fish and try to bully you around. No limit’s no fun when you have people targeting you. Reek of confidence; sit up straight and let them know how comfortable you are. Be intimidating - let them know you’re a well-rounded no limit holdem player and you’re ready for any play they throw at you.
Last, but not least important point, is to pay attention. If you pay attention constantly after you fold, you will pick up on certain tells and player’s betting patterns. Players will show information you can use against them.
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