Loose tables

When you say loose table, you refer to a bunch of players who are much willing to play a wide range of cards before even seeing the flop. The more hands are played, the looser you can consider a player. You need to make a distinction though between a loose passive and a loose aggressive table.

There is the loose passive table often makes small pots because the players limp or into a wide range of hands before the flop. In a loose aggressive table, you will see raises and re-raises even before the flop creating a big pot. The latter, of course, will bring you more money if you know what to do.

Playing on a loose passive table

You have to deal with the small pots in loose passive table. Your basic strategy will really depend on how the other players are willing to call a big raise before the flop. There is a bigger chance that the passive players will raise you than re-raise you, so try to walk slowly into the pot. Be careful and don’t scare away the other players into the pot when you get a monster hand.

When playing in a loose passive table, be tight but be aggressive.

Playing on a loose aggressive table

The kind of poker here is totally different from the first one. When you are in an early position, it will be best to fold your small pairs. It is too dangerous if you play it aggressive early on.

Premium pairs can help you entice players into the pot before the cards of the flop. There is a higher chance that you will be getting a re-raise. What you will do after the flop will really depend on how the other aggressive players behave. Play to give them unfavourable pot odds to rake in some money.

Achieving a balance is really a two way street (that sounded mushy), but here’s our set for poker players:

1. Never bring home your bad luck in a poker game or poker tournament. Make sure you drop everything about poker before you turn the knob of your front door.
2. Do not lie about your losses or wins to your partner. Remember that you are talking to your partner and your relationship includes matters of finances. If you have played a sum which you cannot really afford to lose, that really puts some stress to your relationship. Any pros and cons about you playing poker should be discussed with your spouse or partner.
3. Make sure you know what is on your calendar. Never play poker when you already have something planned with your family or partner.
4. When you are going out of town for some poker, make sure you are still accessible by your partner or family. Make sure you answer your phone or call back as soon as you can. Make sure your partner feels at ease since you being out of town might not be an easy thing to deal with for her.
5. Do you remember the best bluff you did in a tournament 3 years ago? Yes? Then do not tell me that you cannot remember the birthday of your partner or your anniversary.
6. When you win a big poker tournament, you will be a rock star but never forget who will be there if you do not bring home any winnings.

Of course when you play casino games you want to get more money into the pot but what will be the best way to do it?

Check Raising

When you check raise, you are sure that more money will get into the pot because you raised the chips so the other player will have to put in more to see what card is next.

One downside though is that when you show too much strength, your opponent might chicken out and fold. If this happens, this will be a missed opportunity for you.

Betting out

When we bet, with raising after at the back of our minds, we remove the possibility for our opponent to see a free card. It also does not take away the air of mystery about the cards that we have. Though you will be able to disguise your cards, in a way, you are also limiting the amount of money that your opponent can put in.

So what to do when you are to act first?

Most of the time, it will be more profitable to bet first, especially against the donkaments. It is a simpler move and is the best choice, according to Ylon Schwartz. You don’t give your opponent a free card but you also don’t give away what you are holding. These two factors against putting in more money to the pot. Playing safe consistently is better than going risky for the big win.

You should refrain from investing big amount if you are playing just for the aspect of fun and enjoyment. If you are a seasoned player and have proven your worth by winning games on the poker table then you should have the confidence of laying 100 odd bets on the limit you play.

If you are playing at $5-8 then your limit should be around $2000 in the bankroll. Having fair idea about your betting limits is a great and a positive way to approach the game. If players know their beting limits they would not go overboard and blow all the money in the bankroll. Good poker players effectively manage their bankroll.

Avoid consuming alcohol while playing poker as it taints the mood and if you are on a losing streak you start betting recklessly to win the old money back. One of the best ways of bankroll management is to handle the amount in the account in a resourceful manner.

You should never participate in a game which is above the limits of the money in your account. You should glue yourself to the current balance in your account and shape the game accordingly with your betting gestures.

One of the most foolish acts of a poker player would be using all the money in the account for a sit and go or maybe plunging into a cash game. A resourceful pattern of managing your bankroll is spreading the amount on different poker tables which would magnify your chances of winning and increase your hourly earnings as well.

You should never ever sit with a preconceived thought of finishing your bank roll before playing a series of poker games. Refrain from acting greedy and once you have earned double the amount you had invested on a poker table you should wrap your game for the day on that distinct table. Too much greed would have a detrimental effect and you may end up losing a heft amount of your poker money.

One of the greatest advantages of bankroll management is that players would indulge in gambling within limits. Players would not append the entire amount for the sake of fun or to test their luck in a reckless manner. The more resourcefully you manage your bankroll the more bets you can lay and the better games you would be able to play on the poker table.

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You should be very observant and see how players in front of you will handle their cards. The players after you may also be playing with a top pair but only with a poor kicker or they are just playing you slow.

In a no draw situation where there will be more than two players in the hand, you can try these steps:

A player in front of you may bet to play his cards, your natural response should be to fold since you don’t know what will come next behind you.

If no one plays his cards in front of you, then try putting out half of the pot and see where you stand. If someone raises you, then you must fold since you only have 5 outs before the turn. People behind you might also call and this could bring a string of events on the table.

During a hand with more than two players and draws on the flop, you can see some slow playing it or playing it big. So the kinds of players cancel each other out on the table. One may have a straight draw, a flush, or a top pair coupled with a poor kicker.

Playing a middle pair on a flop is a lot easier when on board, there are no over cards. Be wary of those who raise on the flop. See what’s the best move based on where he is sitting. You can call and wait if they will slow down. You can play and go over the top and risk some chips.

If another player checks on you then bet and see where you stand. If he bets more on top of yours, then fold. His cards may be better than yours.

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“Luck is Not Enough” is the title that Sam is going to be using for his book about how to play poker. Sam also has several other engagements including being a spokesman for Harrah’s casino in Las Vegas and being on a poker playing show on the Game Show Network called High Stakes Poker. While Sam is not officially related to any poker room, Poker Stars was kind enough to setup a rematch between Moneymaker and Farha. Farha did win the rematch, however, he was not awarded any money.

Sam is close to two million dollars in total earnings. He is constantly challenging himself by playing in new poker matches and meeting up with all different ranges of professional poker players. While Sam Farha may not be a spring chicken, he is not out of the poker game yet. With his masterful knowledge of poker, Sam has a great chance of making a ton of money playing poker!

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Oh and by the way, Amanda Leatherman is SO HOT.

The Basic How To’s

• The 2 players to the left of the dealer will be shelling out the blind bets. The person immediate to the left of the dealer plays the small blind while second to the left of the dealer plays the big blind.
• The dealer distributes the hole or pocket cards. Each player gets two cards each.
• The first action is on the person next to the big blind. This player can fold, bet, or raise. The rotation of the game is clockwise.
• When the round of betting is complete, the dealer makes the flop of 3 cards on the board. These cards will be facing up. These cards are “for the community” which means, each player can pair up these cards with their pocket cards to get a the best hand.
• After the flop, the player to the dealer’s left can bet or do a check.
• When done with the round of players, the fourth card on the table is revealed by the dealer. This is called the turn. Another round of betting occurs.
• The fifth street is revealed by the dealer or what is called the river. A final round of betting takes place in the same manner.
• The winner is the one who has the best hand by combining their pocket cards with those on the board.

These are the basics of Texas Hold’em poker. All you need to do is learn more by watching the experts play the game. Better yet, sit down and get the feel of it on the table