Poker Tips
This collection of poker tips was put together by Mike
Sexton (host of
PartyPoker.com and commentator for the World Poker Tour), and
Linda Johnson (a noted poker player and personality).
- Pay attention
- Watch who's playing in an aggressive or loose way and who's playing tight,
try to play the loose players and avoid the tight players, unless you've got a
strong hand.
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- Watch the chips
- Always be aware of everyone's chip count. Know who has more chips than you
and play more carefully against them - a mistake could knock you out. It's
usually better to play pots with players who have fewer chips than you do.
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- No match
- If your cards don't match any of the community cards, throw your hand away
when someone else bets.
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- Ace in the hand
- Don't play every time you have an ace in your hand. However, play an ace
if it's accompanied by a card of the same suit or by a 10 or higher.
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- Hands to stay with before the flop
- Play with pairs (7-7, 9-9), two face cards (K-Q, Q-J), or hands that can
make both a straight and a flush (8-9, 6-7 of the same suit). Be patient and
fold other hands, unless you're in the blind.
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- Good hand? Bet strong
- In no-limit Texas Hold'em, players can bet all of their chips at any time,
so bet aggressively when you have a good hand.
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- Watch and wait
- Play fewer hands when you're one of the first players to act, because
you'll be 'out of position' and vulnerable to raises from the remaining
players.
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- Wait your turn
- Do not act until it is your turn; play proceeds clockwise at the poker
table.
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- Be a 'bettor,' not a 'caller'
- Being aggressive is good.
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- Call their bluff
- If someone raises in a late position (near or on the button), re-raise
them a good amount if you are on the blind. Chances are, they don't have a big
hand and they're just trying to steal your blinds. (This style of play, known
as going 'over the top', is probably the strongest play one can make in
no-limit Texas Hold'em.)
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- Be patient
- The biggest mistake most players make is to act too quickly. When you're
making an important decision pause to think about how the betting has gone and
what your opponent might have. Take your time.
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