Archive for category Texas Holdem FAQ

Always Losing

Nov 6

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

Recently, I started playing holdem with some of my friends way back from college. I typically lose lots of money and really, I’m sick and tired of it.

With strong determination, I started to do some researching stuff on internet. I’m glad for I was able to find lots of material and ideas on how to improve my skills and game as well.

I just have few questions to ask, what’s the best way for me to organize myself in terms of learning/reading/memorizing all the significant stuff?

I’ve made a sample list, but I’m not sure about it.

  1. Familiarize myself with and memorize starting hands
  2. Observe and master which hands to play in which position
  3. Which hands to fold
  4. Familiarize myself with and memorize outs
  5. How to bet pre-flop, flop, turn, and river based off my hand
  6. How to bet based off of the betting of other player
  7. Memorize drawing odds or odds of making my hand
  8. Memorize the right time to bluff and how much, also semi-bluffing.
  9. Familiarize myself about all the stuff about pot odds or implied odds.

What do you think? Do I make sense? Please help me.
Thank you.

David

David,

All the things you mention are needed items to learn. Something else you will want to add to your list is learning how to read opponents and put them on hands. Reading players is a key skill in Texas Holdem.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bankroll Issues

Nov 6

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

I believe you’ve once said that a 2/4 NL game is bigger than a 2/4 limit game, therefore I’ve assumed that you’d also need a bigger bankroll in order to be able to play at NL game. But somebody did told me that I’ve just misunderstood some stuff.

Now, I’m curious, what size of a bankroll do you suggest, somehow relative to the big blind? And by the way, do bankrolls increase proportionately to the size of the game? And about the bankroll for a 2/4 game, will it be going to be almost exactly twice as large as the 1/2 game bankroll? I don’t have any idea on this.

Please help me.

Thank you.

Karl

Karl,

For a $1/$2 NL game you will probably want to have 500 to 1,000 big blinds as a starting bankroll. That would be $1,000 to $2,000 total. This will help you withstand any large swings.

As far as bankrolls for bigger games, yes, the same rule should apply to whatever game that you want to play.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Call or Fold

Nov 6

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

I started playing holdem just weeks ago so I don’t yet totally understand everything. I guess it’s understandable right?

Well, I have a question regarding preflop betting. Once, when I was playing no limit holdem, I have 8h9h. Eventually, we started preflop betting and all of us have about 100$ each. Later on, the player before me raised 40$. I remember I was confused after then. I don’t know what to do. If you were me, what will you do if ever, call or fold?

I feel my opponent has AA or KK. My 8h9h was not that bad and was actually strong, but I don’t know if it’s worth the battle.

Please, I need your advice.

Thanks!

Mattie

Mattie,

Where did you learn that 8-9 suited against Aces or Kings was strong? Pocket aces are a 77% to 22% favorite and kings 78% to 22%. This is a clear fold. 8-9 suited to a raise is a clear fold in general, regardless of whether or not it is against Aces or Kings.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Playing Against Wild Players

Nov 6

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

For several times, I was able to play with wild players who like action. In one of my games with them, I was playing unpredictably. Well, I knew if I played tight, I would come away ahead.

There was one hand, I had QQ and one of the wild players raised to $7 preflop. I decided later on to re-raise to $27 total. But afterwards, he re-raised me another $20. Honestly, I thought I had him beat, however, I didn’t went all in because of two of the bigger stacks as well as because of the risk of being busted. Eventually, I just called the additional $20. The flop then came and it was a King.

Finally I checked and he went all in. Later on I just mucked it. When it was already the time to reveal hands, he showed his K9. Well, I find it really absurd.

If you were me, how would you have played that hand? And with wild players, how do you play? And what’s your opinion on not risking as much preflop even if you think you are the favorite?

Thank you.

Regards,
Kevin

Kevin,

With wild players, you must push your advantages. You can’t get too passive, or you will just get outdrawn on that much more. Don’t risk less just because they are wild. You need to punish them when you have the advantage.

In this case, he went crazy with raises and got lucky. It happens. I will say you showed a lot of discipline getting away from the queens without losing more. That is one sign to me that you will do fine in the long run.

Tags: , , , ,

Trend of Passivity

Nov 5

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

For a few months now, I’ve been playing for real money online and I believe I’ve been playing well. Just like a typical player, I’ve experienced ups and downs and I don’t a have a problem with such. But there’s one thing I noticed, a trend of passivity taking place and I’m actually having problem about beating.

For an instance, in a 10 seat no limit table with 25c/50c blinds, I’ve been betting aggressively, in position, and been stealing several hands here and there and I’m in late position. Later on everyone called to me. I then raised to three times the big blind holding Kts. Eventually five players folded. Then the flop came and it was 6K9 rainbow. Everyone checked to me and so I placed $2.50 as a bet. Afterwards, three players folded and the other person called. The turn came and one of the players at the table checked and so I bet again, at that instance $4. The other player called and then the river came. The other player checked and once again I placed a bet of $4.

Later, he called and showed 3 sixes and then cleaned up. Well, what I can remember that time was that I was like swept over, devastated. I never thought even for a single instance that he had a pocket pair.

Honestly, that experience happened several times. I’m now troubled as I really don’t know what to do. Somehow, I thought maybe I should just be betting more than three times the big blind, in late position, to try and force them out or the like. I also thought of betting aggressively UTG and in early position, for them not to have the opportunity to call. What do you think? Any advice?

Thank you.

Axel

Axel,

In a way, you are fortunate that he is playing this passively. You very well may have lost more money if he was playing aggressively when he hit his set. His passive play saved you money.

A standard raise is 3 ½ to 5 times the big blind. Depending on the table, you may have to adjust it to more. I have seen tables where 10 times the big blind is a standard raise to get respect.

Be careful with being too aggressive under the gun. This leaves you open to being reraised by better hand or other people putting you on a steal.

Don’t beat yourself up because of this opponent’s passive play. Think instead of the money you save by his poor play.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

New to $50 NL Online Game

Nov 5

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

I have some concerns about betting your 4 flush. I don’t know when to bet and how much.

For three years now, I’ve been playing online low limit. But just this morning, I tried my luck on a $50NL online game. By the way, the blinds $1, $1. Well, I’m having problems now because I find it hard to make money online. Also, I can’t find ways or means on how I can maximize my potential in flush or even straight draws.

Any advice for me? I badly need you guidance now.

Thank you.

Regards,
Nathan

Nathan,

In regards to betting your 4 flush, if you are going to bet, try betting around 40% of the pot. This makes it look like you are trying to push out the flush draw and betting on a pair. Betting a four flush is best done on the flop in position. This way, you may have the chance of your opponent checking to you on the turn, and giving you a free card in the process.

Flush draws and straight draws work better when the pots is multi-way. To capitalize on these draws, you either need enough players in to give you proper odds or you need to pick spots to raise on the flop to try and induce a free card on the turn. Flush and straight draws are worst played heads-up since you do not usually have odds to draw.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

How Much Should One Bet?

Nov 5

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

First, I would like to commend you for having a great site. It has been very helpful to me. In fact, I’ve been winning because your site has a lot of advices, suggestions, tips, etc. to follow.

I’ve read your advice on how to bet, raising whenever you have big pockets pairs, semi-bluffing, check-raising, etc. But I’m wondering if you have also provided something about how much to bet. I’m concern of this because I watched the Ultimate Poker Challenge on TV and there I heard some issues about not raising enough.

Do you have any idea how much should one bet? If you need to specify situations like when you have a big pocket pair, or when you are drawing for a straight or flush, etc. to make things clear, please do so.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you.

Regards,
Matt

Matt,

Preflop, a standard raise in a tournament is 3 ½ times to 5 times the big blind. On the flop, it really depends on the situation and your opponent. In a lot of spots, betting 40 to 60% of the pot should be sufficient to push players out. When you are drawing to a straight or a flush, if you plan to bet, try and make a similar bet that you would with a pair. This gives some deception value as it looks like you are trying to push out a draw.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Can't Easily Win on Limit Holdem

Nov 5

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

I usually play NL tournaments, and at times limit games. I must admit, I don’t usually succeed at tournaments. In fact, mostly I win 1/3 of the time and I also often finish 2nd or 3rd. At some friendly tourneys, I also win quite enough except when really lucky calling station is present at the room.

I guess the problem is that I never win as it doesn’t cost that much to call and everybody usually calls. Another thing is that we oftentimes end up with flushes as well as straights caught on the river. And when I try to play tighter, I just always end up calling very little hands and at the same time nailed because of degrading flushes and straights on the river. Do you have any advice?

Thank you.

Regards,
Kent

Kent,

Limit Holdem is a different game than NL holdem. First, many players will come in with a wide array of hands. Playing a solid tight NL strategy will not give you the chance to play enough hands. You need to widen your strategy in regards to limit holdem. I would recommend picking up a book on Holdem such as Small Stakes Holdem or even the Howard Ledered DVD on Limit Holdem.

There will be many times straights and flushes will be drawn to in Limit as after the flop, most players will have proper odds to draw in most cases.

My suggestion is to widen your starting hand requirement a bit to allow a broader range of drawing possibilities to start with. Pick up some reading material next to help get a better grasp of the game.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Clarifications

Nov 5

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

Just recently, I started playing no limit. I don’t understand some stuff particularly those that concern going and calling all in.

Well, I don’t know what exactly to do when someone has a pair, and I have two over cards. I think, more or less, I won’t call it, but it’s a different story of course if there’s a big pot at stake.

In an instance where in I have AK and they have AQ or when I have 10s and they have A8 or something, I would most probably call.

But I want to know first if there are some clues from either the specific hand, or from the way someone plays as to whether they likely have a high pair, mid pair, etc. And which situations should I go all in? I guess in situations when there is AA, KK, QQ, etc. But what if AK, AQ? I’m clueless.

Thanks!

Brent

Brent,

If someone pushes all in and you have two over cards, you have 6 outs. You have about a 25% chance to catch a winning hand by the river when you call the all in on the flop. If their all in is 25% or less of the total pot, then yes, you can call their all in. Otherwise, you are risking the money with long odds.

As far as clues to what they have, a lot can be gleaned based on how they have played hands in the past and their betting patterns. A betting pattern that typically holds true is when someone makes a pot sized bet into a board with two straight or flush cards, they usually have top pair or an overpair to the board.

There aren’t hard and fast rule that states “if a player bets this then they have this” for every situation. Poker is situational and just because someone does something a certain way one hand, it does not necessarily mean that it’s the truth the next hand.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

About Probabilities

Nov 5

Posted by Bet & Win Poker in Texas Holdem FAQ | No Comments

Hello,

Which one has the better odds of winning if they go heads up to the river? The very intriguing question I saw the other day. Well, I haven’t mastered probabilities yet and so I would like to have clarity on this.

Say AK-88 all-in heads up. Maybe the odds of catching of two cards by the river, for an instance A or K, is approximately 55% while the odds of the 88 improving to a set is somewhat near 15%. Subtract 15% from 55% and you will be left with 40% being your winning chance. Well, come to think of it, two pair doesn’t really come into play in either scenario. Thus, you’ll most likely add in the odds of AK making a straight, a set of A’s or K’s or if not a flush if it is suited.

In your opinion, at which point can you go on and on with full houses, straight flushes and four of a kind?

And by the way, once I’ve heard that around 55% that a pocket pair will beat two over cards, is this true?

Thanks,
Phillip

Phillip,

Preflop, most pairs against two over cards are 55% to 45% favorites. Lower pair such as four and threes are more even. Pocket deuces are actually an underdog to overcards.

When figuring out the possibility of winning preflop, the percentages are based on the starting hand being the best hand at the end. It does not include stats for straights, flushes, two pair,etc.

As far as figuring out odds relating to full houses, etc, this type of calculation is usually best done on the flop.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,