8/12/07 - The All-in Bet In No Limit Hold�em

Of all the different bet sizes, going all-in really defines the essence of no limit Texas Holdem, especially when played in a cash game format. Let�s face it, this is not a game at that rewards timidity. No-limit Hold�em is a poker variant that has earned millions of fans worldwide because it demands such steely nerves in order to survive the non-stop action and continual risk of losing huge stacks of chips at each turn. Therefore, it only makes sense that the all-in bet represents the epitome of boldness in a no-limit game of Texas Hold�em. However, do you understand exactly how and when this maneuver can be used for maximum effect? Sadly, far too many novice players think it is all about "brawn" and do not give sufficient attention to the "brains" side of the equation. So let�s review how the all-in bet should factor into your overall no limit Texas Holdem strategy.

The Net Effect

The unbelievably huge influx of Net-based amateur players into the tournament poker circuit in recent years has yielded a dramatic impact upon strategy and outcomes. More and more, when watching the World Series of Poker or other televised events, you will see amateur players going all-in before the flop. This can be excruciating for professional players, who tend to get aggravated when they see a bet being placed solely on attitude. For proof of this, just watch a replay of the 2006 WSOP and examine the constant frustration on the face of Daniel Negreanu as some of the rookies seated around him keep going all-in without giving it a moment�s thought. How do you bluff a player like that?

Be Smarter Than The Pack

Obviously, you do not want you be blind and reckless in your own use of the all-in bet. So, what differentiates a smart all-in bet from a stupid one?

The first thing you should always ask yourself is what your goal is with your all-in and if it is worth risking all your money to accomplish that goal. You should have a good idea of how each of your opponents Texas Holdem because if you don't know you might as well be firing in the dark. The all-in is a powerful move but you should know which opponents might succumb to it and which ones won't.

The second question you should ask yourself if there is another, perhaps better way to accomplish your objective. For instance, if you want to push your opponents out of a pot there isn�t a better move than the all-in, because your opponents will really need good hands to call your all-in. But if you merely want to get paid for a good hand, a smaller bet, somewhere between half the pot size to full pot size, might be a better move since the risk of scaring away your opponents with an all-in move is way to big.

Sometimes you might have a powerful drawing hand, such as straight-flush draw, and the option to semi-bluff, i.e. make a big bet in the hope that your opponents fold, or a good chance to make your hand if they should call. Instead of a big bet, you should consider going all-in to put more pressure on your opponents. But before you do that you better be sure that you really know your Texas Hold�em odds. Because if you don't, your winning chance might be much worse than you think and you might end up making the wrong decision about going all-in or not. This is something you�ll want to avoid, or else it might cost you way to much and break you.

Table image

Remember that your ability to move all-in effectively will have as much to do with your personal style of play and table image as it does with the cards themselves. Unless you are able to really sell it, and make your opponents fear the cards you�re holding, this is never going to work. Savvy opponents will sniff out the weakness you�re trying so desperately to conceal. They will match your all-in wager and collect your chips in the process

7/10/07 - Master the Texas Holdem Rules

The poker variant of Texas holdem is one that has achieved an unprecedented level of global popularity for a number of diverse reasons. Obviously, the tremendous level of excitement that can be generated from the betting and bluffing aspects of this variation have proved critical in elevating Texas holdem to the level of a full-blown spectator sport.

However, as big as the televised poker boom has become, it cannot hold a candle to the expansion in http://www.toptexasholdem.com and at brick-and-mortar casinos. The aforementioned excitement certainly drives this trend, especially as it is manifested among the ranks of people with some level of gambling experience under their belts. Another factor is at work, one that is largely responsible for attracting so many rank novices into the Texas holdem world. This factor is the beautiful simplicity of the rules. Perhaps no other poker variant is as elegant in the flow of the rules defining game play. Let’s take a closer look at http://www.toptexasholdem.com/texas-holdem-strategy-start.php

Texas holdem is played with a standard 52-card deck. A typical game is broken down into five successive phases that unfold as follows. First is the pre-flop. Starting with the dealer button, each player gets two facedown cards (called pocket or hole cards). Then a betting round occurs.

Next up comes the flop. The dealer turns over three cards on the green felt. These are community cards that each player can use to create the best hand possible. Another betting round occurs.

The next phase to unfold is called the turn. The dealer reveals another card on the board, making a current total of four community cards. Again, another betting round occurs.

Then comes the fourth phase of a Texas holdem game, known as the river. The dealer turns over the fifth and last community card on the board. Yes, another betting round again occurs. By now, each player is in a position to assemble the strongest possible five-card hand, using one hole card, both hole cards, or no hold cards at all.

During the flow of the game, all players have the option to fold and get away from the hand. All bets that player has made will be forfeited. At this point in the hand, unless all but one player have thrown their cards away, the final phase occurs. This, appropriately enough, is referred to as the showdown. All remaining players in the hand reveal their cards in order, starting with the individual who placed the first bet. In the somewhat rare event that all five of the community cards on the board combine to make the best hand, everyone still involved in the hand will split the pot. This occurrence is usually called “the board plays.”

The beautiful design of this game is apparent for all to see. By studying the rules of Texas holdem, you can master the essentials of this great poker variant in virtually no time at all.

6/08/07 - Play Texas Holdem

 Many people have recently become infatuated with the game of Texas Holdem. In particular, the practice of playing holdem online has become something of a global obsession. Obviously, this only comes as a news flash if you've been residing under a rock or within the bowels of Manhattan’s subway system for the past decade. However, just because it’s common knowledge that masses of individuals have suddenly acquired a ravenous interest in learning all about its most dominant variation does not necessarily mean that you have gotten around to learning as much about poker as you would like to.

While no single resource can provide you with all the information needed to become competent overnight, by arming yourself with the most basic information, you will be in a very good position to move forward to issues that are more complex. The key thing, regardless of your skill level, is to log as much practice time as your schedule allows. The good news is that the Internet is loaded with sites where you can play Texas holdem without ever risking any real money.

The Texas Holdem rules are very easy to learn. Unlike some poker games you may have played before where you bet, are dealt your cards and then it’s over (perhaps after a draw of some sort), Texas holdem contains a number of different rounds. It is also a “community card” game, meaning that your final hand will be assembled using cards that are available to the other players at the table.

Each hand starts with a deal. All the players receive two cards, facedown. These are called the hole or pocket cards. Players then make their bets, or fold. Then comes the flop. Three community cards are dealt face-up on the center of the table. Each player can use any or all of these cards along with his pocket cards to complete the strongest five-card hand.

After the flop comes the turn, which you also may hear referred to as fourth street. A fourth community card is then dealt on the table. After another betting round comes the river. The fifth and final community card appears on the table, followed by yet another betting round.

Anyone still in the hand will now engage in what is aptly called the showdown. They place their cards face up on the table so that all the remaining players can see who holds the best hand. The winner is awarded the pot, which is comprised of all the money that was bet during the round. Then the deck is shuffled and a new round begins, with the dealer button, representing the location of the player assuming the role of dealer, moves one seat to the left.

As you can see, learning how to play Texas holdem, or at least understanding the basics, is really not all that hard. So log on and get going.

5/09/07 - No Limit Texas Hold'em: It’s All About the Bluff

There’s nothing better in poker than pulling off a big bluff. Nothing. Your opponent tosses his A-K into the muck face up and you drag a huge pot with all of your chips in it with a nothing hand and you’ll see what we mean pretty quickly.

Bluffing is exhilarating. And in no game more than No-Limit Texas Holdem. When you or your opponent can put all of your chips in at any time and put each other at a decision for the entire stack, you’ve got the perfect circumstances for both the most exciting and the most effective bluff opportunities in all of poker.

You wouldn’t want to go into a situation like that completely unprepared, would you? It sounds fun, bluffing all the time and dragging pots with nothing, but the key in No-Limit Hold’em is “selective aggression.” If you bluff every time you have a weak hand, you’re going to go home broke.

So here are a few quick pieces of advice to keep you on the fun side of the No-Limit Hold’em bluff:

Bad Players Just Don’t Get it.
The simple truth is, lots of poker rookies are just trying to keep their heads above water and are only playing their own hand. If the board is Ah 4h Kh Qc Jd and they’ve got pocket aces or pocket kings, they’ll likely call any bet. They see a huge set in their hands, and likely aren’t even contemplating that any two hearts or any ten can beat them.

Against them, your bluff will be lost. They won’t even be remotely concerned about the flush or the straight, and you’ll be much better off waiting for a strong hand and value-betting instead. The same goes for free texas hold em games – bluffing is just not worth it.

Make Sense
The flop comes As 4h 3c and you make a $10 bet. The turn is a 9c and you go $20. When the river is an 8c, you push in $100. It’ll be hard to bluff a tough player that’s been paying attention. You were representing an ace the whole way, so it’s highly unlikely you were betting with and made a runner/runner flush. 

An opponent looking to sniff out a bluff will smell something funny.

Even if you had been betting the runner/runner flush, it would still make more sense to value bet here than make a large, threatening bet. Opponents may fold anyway if their hand is not strong enough or if they don’t have the heart to call a big bet. This would be a better bluff here: flop is As 4h 3s, you check and call a $10 bet, check-call $20 on the 9c, then bet $60 when the 8s comes on the river and your opponent checks to you.

In this case, it would be way easier to believe you’ve been calling the smaller bets to catch a flopped spade draw, and your pot-sized bet on the river suggests you just might have hit it, and wouldn’t mind being called on it.

Bluff the Tight More Than the Loose
You’re at a table with both loose and tight players: Why handicap yourself betting at players who are, on average, more likely to call you? Go right for the tight ones for your bluffs and you’ll be called much, much less.

Image is Everything
If you’ve been playing tight and holding the best hand whenever you were called over the last few hours, the time is ripe for an effective bluff. Nobody should see it coming. If you’ve just been caught bluffing a few times, opponents will be more suspicious of your next big move. Conversely then, making a big move with the nuts might be better than a bluff now.

Mix it Up
If you do make that flush on the river, bet the same amount you would if you were bluffing. If you get called and show down a flush when you’ve bet half the pot, then move all-in the next time a flush card comes on the river, opponents will be more likely to call you, thinking your bet is a little bigger than you would make if you hit it. Of course, if you do make the flush, you can use this to your advantage.

The point really is, though, to not be predictable. Play a weak hand the same way as a strong hand sometimes, and vice-versa. Smart players will key on a lack of deviations in your game and use that against you. A lot.

Weak, Not Strong
The absolute biggest factor in deciding to bluff:  does your opponent appear weak or strong? Some players over-bet when they’re weak, and some will just check and call. Some players look right at you when they are strong, and others look away. You have to learn to read your opponents one by one, and figure out exactly what they’re representing. And when you sense weakness, that’s bluffing time.

4/08/07 - Money Lines Explained

What do golf, tennis, baseball and NASCAR have in common? Clearly not a lot. The first three are played with some kind of round object, but what does that have to do with NASCAR? The answer is in the way a sportsbook sets the betting on these events. As important as it is to know the Texas hold’em rules when playing the game of Texas holdem, you have to know how money lines work when betting on sports.

In most high scoring and team-based games (football, basketball, etc) a point spread is usually used to set the favorite, the expected winner. But, with an individual based game, or a game in which the score most likely will be very close, the favored method of listing a favorite is a money line. Money lines, at first glance, might seem more complicated than point spreads—but once you understand how and why they are used, it is actually much simpler.

When you pick a winner for an office pool, you are essentially playing a money line with no favorite. In a money line, the winner does not have to win by any predetermined margin in order for you to cash in on your bet—they just have to win. If you have ever placed a bet with a point spread, you know that every game, no matter the sport, has a favored competitor. If one opponent were clearly stronger than another, then what reason would anyone want to pick the weaker? The answer is a money line.

The Money Line

Sportsbooks are not dumb—they know that a strong competitor will most likely beat a weak competitor and when they offer bets, they consider that fact. In their view, if you would like to bet on the favorite you should take a greater financial risk than a person who is picking the weaker opponent. After all, you are more likely to win!

A money line takes the place of a point spread by offering the underdog bettor a financial advantage. If you place a bet on a favorite, you will have to put more money down than the person betting on an underdog. A typical money line for a game of baseball might read Yankees -300 / Blue Jays +250. The person betting on the Yankees would have to put up $300 in order to win $100. The person betting on the Blue Jays would only have to put up $100 in order to win $250. The huge variance in the money at risk evens out the number of bettors on either side.

The Negative Money Line

If your competitor is listed with a negative money line (Yankees -300), it means your team is favored to win. The number listed is the amount you will have to bet in order to receive the payout. Because your pick has the advantage in play, the sportsbook will require you to put more money at stake in order to place your bet (in this case $300). You stand a greater chance of winning the bet, but when you do, the payout will not be very high. If your pick wins, you will receive back your initial bet ($300) along with the payout ($100). In our example, you risk $300 in order to win $100. The negative number is the favorite and the number is the amount you have to put down.

The Positive Money Line

If your competitor is listed with a positive money line (Blue Jays +250), it means your team is not expected to win. The number listed is the amount you will receive as a payout if the competitor you have bet on wins. Because your pick has the disadvantage, the sportsbooks will not require you to risk as much money in order to place a bet (in this case $100). You stand a greater chance of losing, but if you do win, the payout will be a lot higher than the payout for the favorite. If your pick wins, you will receive back your initial bet ($100) along with the payout ($250). In our example, you risk $100 in order to win $250. The positive number is the underdog and the number is the amount you stand to win.

The Sportsbook’s Profit

You might notice that the positive and negative numbers in the money line are different—this is a change from the numbers in a point spread. This is because the sportsbook makes its profit when the underdog wins. The difference in the numbers is the amount the sportsbook keeps for itself in exchange for having placed the bet for you. In our example, if the Yankees win (as they probably will), the sportsbook makes no profit—but if the Blue Jays win, the sportsbook makes a $50 profit for every bet placed on the Blue Jays.

Money line betting is common in individual sports and sports without points, but it can also be found in other competitions as well. If you do not know sports well enough to deal with point spreads, money line betting can be an easy way to make a wager—all you have to know is the competitor that you think will win and then the guts to put down the money. In extreme examples (Andy Roddick playing an early tennis match against an incredibly low ranked player) the money line can be very high. In more evenly matched games, the money line may be very close. In either case, there are pros and cons to betting on either competitor. Do you want to risk a lot on the big favorite, or do you want to pick the underdog and gamble on a big win?

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