To bluff or not to bluff?

Posted on June 22, 2008
Filed Under Become a better poker player, Bluff, Hints for blackjack players, How to win in any casino, How to win in casino, Poker Online | Comments Off

I often see inexperienced players make the mistake of thinking that bluffing is about pretending to have a big hand every x hands, regardless of what other players might appear to have. Although you may technically call it bluffing, since the player is trying to show a bigger hand than he actually has, you should bear in mind that if you don’t pay attention to the other players and pick your spots, bluffing at poker can cost you dearly.

What you should remember is that although bluffing is a crucial skill to learn, it is neither obligation nor a rule of poker. In poker it doesn’t matter how much or how often you bet. It isn’t important how often you bluff, but how often it works.

You should bluff when at least one of the following conditions is met:

Valuable hints for blackjack players

Posted on June 22, 2008
Filed Under Become a better poker player, Casino Winning Strategies, Hints for blackjack players, How to win in any casino, Poker Online | Comments Off

First of all, remember to order the right drink. Non-alcoholic are in most cases the best choice you can make. Typically, in casinos the drinks are free, and you pay only a small tip to the waiter. I think it is quite clear that the more you drink, the more obscure and blurred your judgment becomes, and of course the better the casinos get at extracting your money. My advice is to order your alcoholic drink when you have had a strong, solid run. The moment the drink arrives, you should cash out. Believe me, there are few things that feel as good as a drink in your hand and cash jangling in your pocket.

The second important thing is to choose the right players. You should stay away from tables that are frequented by annoying teenagers, drunken amateurs or reckless betters. These people can only decrease your chances of winning by playing the probabilities wrong or rushing you to play faster than you should. Instead, I recommend that you choose a table occupied by middle-aged guys who look like they’re on business. In most cases, these guys are all playing to the optimal strategy, which in turn results in least losses to all of you. Once you sit at that table, you should ALWAYS play to strategy! If you don’t, then it will be these guys who will perceive you as a reckless better or a drunken amateur. They may well become annoyed with you (though they can’t do a thing), but the most important thing is that you’re hurting yourself and losing your money.

Finally, pay attention to picking the right bets. My advice would be to play just the minimums, although if you have had a good run, you might want to double the bet from time to time. This is definitely a better solution than move to a higher-bet table, because you still have the possibility to come down.

3 ways to become a better poker player

Posted on February 28, 2008
Filed Under Become a better poker player, Casino Winning Strategies, How to win in any casino, Poker Online | Comments Off

Take advantage of the tips given below to quickly become better at poker. These guidelines are mostly for beginners, but poker professionals are also advised to skim through them every once in a while.

1. Don’t Call at the End of a Hand to “Keep Someone Honest”

Many players look at another player’s final bet, look at the hand and say “I know you’ve got me, but I must keep you honest,” as they announce a final call. It may be wise it to check if a player really has the hand if you’re uncertain and you’ll be getting information that will help you in later games, but if you really believe a player has the hand he’s representing and you’re going to lose, why give him additional money? Such bets will accumulate over an evening.

2. Don’t Play When Mad, Sad, or in a Bad Mood

During a game of poker, you shouldn’t do it to escape from feeling depressed or having a really bad day. You will end up playing emotionally instead of rationally, and you surely won’t play your best. Similarly, if in a poker game you lose a big hand or get sucked out on and feel yourself going on tilt, stop the game and take a break until you feel calm again. Your opponents will see your mood and take advantage of it.

3. Do Pay Attention to the Cards on the Table

When you begin to play, it’s enough simply to remember how to play and stay focused on your own hand. However, once you’ve got that down, it’s really important to pay attention to what’s going on at the table. In Texas Hold’em, think about what the best possible hand would be to fit the flop. Be sure you see flush and straight opportunities. In 7-card stud, focus on what’s showing and what people have folded when you think about calling opponents.

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