It can take a lifetime to learn how to play poker well.
Even Mister Tips can't hope to turn anyone into a
good player overnight!
However,
I have assembled here a few basic hints and tips that should
help improve the game of an average player (these tips assume
you can play a bit already). So read on for:
Mister
Tips' Guide to Good Poker
Texas
Holdem
1
- Play high cards! It is amazing how much you can
improve your game if you simply avoid those low cards like
5-7, 4-6, etc.
2
- Be careful in early position (when most players
are acting after you). You really need to be playing only
hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK from
these early positions.
3
- It is hard to hit a flush! Ace suited is not as
good a hand as most people think it is. You should only
be playing it from late position when there are a lot of
callers already unless it is AK, AQ or AJ
suited. For other suited hands, you should throw them all
away unless you are in late position with lots of callers.
4
- You should routinely muck unsuited connectors and aces
with poor kickers. They will cost you money if you play
them.
5
- Respect a raise, particularly preflop. If you haven't
got a great hand preflop, it isn't worth calling a raise
as chances are you are losing already.
6
- In limit poker remember that you are playing a showdown
game. Only bluff occasionally and then only against
one or two opponents as you are likely to be called. Be
patient, it is likely hands like AA will lose quite
a lot of hands with so many callers, but if you play well
you will prevail.
7
- In no limit games you should rarely attempt to draw to
a flush or a straight, it is usually too expensive.
You can bluff a bit more, but really need to be playing
high cards most of the time.
For
more detailed information on playing Texas Hold'em,
please check out the Poker Books section to the left.
Omaha
Holdem
1
- Hands you are looking to play are: ones where all four
cards provide part of a straight with only a couple
of gaps; two high pairs; or ace and king suited combinations.
2
- To continue after the flop you really need the nuts
or a draw to the nuts.
3
- For Omaha Hi/Lo games you should be looking to
start with an ace and a two or three in your hand, or four
large cards.
4
- Pay close attention to the game. Omaha can be quite
complex and you have to pay closer attention to be sure
you know what the best possible hand is.
For
more detailed information on playing Omaha Hold'em,
please check out the Poker Books section to the left.
Seven
Card Stud
1
- If you have a big pair it is more valuable against
only one or two opponents. If you are drawing to
a hand, you want to face several players to make it worth
your while.
2
- Play hands that have a good chance to improve. If you
are drawing to a flush you don't want several of
the cards you are looking for to be in play in your opponents'
hands already.
3
- Be aware that small and medium pairs are
much weaker than large pairs. Even if someone holds only
one overcard they could easily outdraw you.
For
more detailed information on playing Seven Card Stud,
please check out the Poker Books section to the left.
Poker
Tournaments
1
- You have to adjust your playing style considerably when
playing in a poker tournament. The name of the game
here is survival. It is often wise to throw away marginal
hands rather than call a large raise.
2
- Be patient. Your chance will come. Don't get tempted into
playing an average hand.
3
- Try to avoid getting into situations where you have to
place all your chips in the pot. Prey on short stacks
where you can and try to to end up head to head with
a player with more chips that you.
4
- If you are getting low on chips try to go all-in with
an ace or a medium to high pair. If possible raise what
chips you have left to get the fewest number of players
possible against you. Ideally one, or two at most. This
gives you the best possible chance of prevailing. If a lot
of players are already in the pot, think about pciking a
different hand to make your stand.
For
more detailed information on playing Poker Tournaments,
please check out the Poker Books section to the left.
