To improve your chances of winning in poker, you should use strategies. In case you are new to the game, there are a few basic strategies you can adopt. The strategies can be used by not just beginners, but players of all skill levels. Once you understand the strategies, they can be used to develop skills in advanced actions like set mining and floating. Here are a few basic strategies you should know of, irrespective of your skill level:
Play top hands
The hole cards dealt to you can play a big, if not the only, role in whether you win or lose. Based on the combination of cards in the hand, it can be strong, weak or average. You should ideally only play the hole cards that are very strong. This is especially important if you reach showdown, where you will most likely need a strong hand to win against those who make it to that stage.
A few top professional poker players recommend that you play only the best ten hands - A-K, A-Q, and those from A-A to 7-7. This may not be possible in every session, as there may be times when you will be dealt a string of weak hands. In such situations, you should select a good range of starting hands including aces, suited connectors and pairs, which will increase your chances of landing reasonably big pots.
Don’t slow-play monster hands
When your hand is very strong, you may have a tendency to smooth call or check to get opponents to add to the pot. This is a good strategy to use against opponents who are aggressive. However, in most cases where you are dealt a monster hand, you should bet hard. This will reduce the likelihood of an opponent, who begins the game with a hand not as strong as yours, improving post flop.
It can happen if you check or smooth call, and the opponent limps in with a moderately strong hand. The ideal amount to bet in such situations is between half and full pot. Bet more in case there are several players in a hand where the board has strong potential for flush and straight draws.
Act according to your position at the table
In a game of no limit Hold’em, one of the most important factors you should consider is your position at the table. The impact of the actions you take will differ according to the position from where they are made. For instance, when you are in middle or early position, you should only play the best hands.
When you start in these positions, there is a strong likelihood that you will have to continue in them for the rest of the hand. This is a big disadvantage, as you will have to make decisions before your opponents. They will get to act on the basis of the moves you make, but the same won’t be possible for you. From early position, avoid calling the big and small blinds if you have a weak hand. Also avoid cold calling in case there are several players yet to act after you.
