Poker pros know the biggest secret about poker.
After playing the game for decades, it’s no secret that there is always a right time and a better strategy to make a move. However, the pros knew the importance of using their instincts to guide their game and that is why they took time to study the game way beyond what most people.
Following are the six best times to open with a raise, based on the strength of your hand and position.
- When you have a good starting hand.
Good hands include two Aces, King Or More, Ace King, Ace Queen, King Jack, Queen Jack, Ace Ten suited. Other good hands are pairs of tens like Kings, Queens, Jacks and Tens. If you can flop a set, the odds are you will win.
- When you don’t have a strong hand, but have a better kicker.
This could be a hand such as pocket sevens that have an ace and a king or similar. If you have course, a pair of queens is better than the sevens. As well, you could have an ace and a queen or a king and a jack. And, of course, you can even a queen and a king.
- When you’re facing a check raise.
When you see a check raise sign in the lobby, you know a player is capable of taking a large amount of money from you. Few players can call a large raise, so be sure you have a very good hand. If you make a large raise, a check raise looks like a large raise.
- When you have a medium-sized raise, or a large re-raise.
Sometimes you can bet to get a player to fold, if they’re feeling uncomfortable with their hand. Once a hand is past the flop, many players will tighten up. That’s why you should almost never bet on a flop if you have a medium-sized raise before you.
- When you have a pretty decent hand pre-flop.
This tip might lead to a few big pots wins, but if you lose to a large flop bet, it might just be a sign that you are out of the action or taking way too many chances. Look for a line in the lobby such as “Pre-Flop raise 2x the big blind.” Once a hand makes it to the flop and you have a small pair, you should bet the flop about 60%-70% of the time.
- Big Bluffing When You Have a Heavily prefanded stack.
When you’re in a tournament with a heavy pre-flop stack, you might want to attempt to steal blinds or protect your stack. You might get called by several players, but if you have a large stack and one player is going all-in, it might be worth it to call.
- Never Bluff Too Much
Bluffing is a sign of weakness and should be modified whenever possible. Start with medium sized raises and look for opportunities to take the pot.
- Just Play Normally
Your poker play should be the same as it was at all times. Look to make normal pre-flop raises when holding cards worth dealing with, and don’t be scared to make large re-raises or all-ins against loose opponents.
- Slow-play the Frankly Bothersome
The frustrating thing about having a bad hand is that no one really likes it and shows it. It takes a lot of nerve to do it, and even then it’s not clear that it’s a good hand. If you have a bad hand and you show it, no one likes you and you’ll probably end up getting a bad beat.
- Get Over It
If you think you have a bad hand and it gets worse as the hand plays, chances are you will have a difficult time in the future dealing with the hand. Try to get over it. Don’t fight it. Don’t gamble. Take a break and tell your brain to work. Ogged your head with bad decisions and you’ll soon be playing better dewapoker.
Most players who hate poker love it for what it is, a game of bad feelings. If you get scared, irritated or annoyed when you’re dealt some bad cards, you’re generally playing the wrong cards.