You know the basic rules of Texas Holdem, but if you’ve never played in live poker tournaments before, there are some additional poker rules you should be aware of. Certain rules apply to the play of the game, whereas others are related to etiquette, but all are rules you need to know. These rules will help you for winning at Mac Texas Holdem. Here are a few important ones.

Texas Holdem Rules –Play of the Game

In a tournament, an oversized chip put in before the flop is a call, not a raise. For example, if the blinds are 10 and 25 and you throw in a 100 chip, this is simply regarded as a call and you will get 75 back if no one else raises. If you wish to raise, the best thing to do is announce “raise” before acting. Then announce the specific amount of your raise. This avoids any confusion. This also prevents problems with “string betting,” going back to your stack to bet more after you have already put money in. Once you announce the amount, you can go back as many times as you need to get the amount you have announced.

Another rule in tournaments is that once everyone left in the hand is all-in, all players in the hand must turn their cards face up. While this is well known to those who watch poker on television, players who only play poker online or only play in cash games may not be aware of it. The reason for this rule is to prevent collusion. If players in a tournament intentionally give away their chips to build another’s stack, this is a disadvantage to the other competitors. Turning the hands face up proves that no one is putting all of their chips in just to give them away.

Texas Holdem Rules -Etiquette

One rule that is being enforced more and more strongly is a provision against swearing. In most tournaments, you will now get a 10 or 20 minute penalty for swearing, with successively stronger penalties for continued violations. There is some disagreement over the value of this rule. Some players like it, as they believe it creates a more pleasant atmosphere for playing. Others feel that the players are adults, and should be able to say whatever they like. Still others feel that no talking should be allowed at all during the tournament.

Another rule involves cards leaving the table. In many tournaments, if your cards go off the table onto the floor, you incur a 20 minute penalty. This rule was instigated to prevent dealer abuse, that is, players throwing their cards at the dealer after a bad beat. However, since many players would argue that the cards flew off accidentally, the penalty is now often enforced even if the cards clearly fell off the table by accident. Be sure to slide your cards softly to the dealer or you may find yourself sitting out unexpectedly.

These are a few of the important rules to know during live tournament play. When you sign up for a tournament, there will be a rules sheet for you to look at. Be sure to peruse it and make sure you are aware of all the rules before you begin. This should help you avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings while the tournament is in full swing.

• Learn table selection: remember the weak players that you have an edge over and stay away from the strong players that will beat you over time. Look for tables where at least 40% of the players see the flop.
• Make sure to have a good kicker to your Aces and kings; low kicker-cards create second best hands that are loosing hands in the long run.
• Let go of the pots when you are uncertain of the outcome. Don’t call all the way to the river if your intuition tells you to fold.
• Strive to become unpredictable. Good players will eat you alive if they know you only play good cards. Raise with poor hands and call with strong hands on occasion.
• Look for tells in your opponents, try to remember how they play their hands. What hands they raise with, what hands they call with, how they play the strong hands vs weak hands and how they play from different positions.
• Don’t play too high; playing when you can’t afford to lose is destined to end in one way. You will quickly end up being broke. A normal bankroll should at least consist of 200 big bets in fixed limit and 1000-2000 big blinds in no limit.
• Don’t drink alcohol if you’re playing poker for the purpose of making money. The alcohol takes away the focus and concentration on the game, whether you are playing poker, keno, craps or the slot machines.

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Slowplaying

When you are holding really strong cards it might be a good idea to slowplay. Slowplaying means checking or/and calling in one betting round with the intention of betting/raising in upcoming betting rounds. This play is frequently used on the flop, since the bets are doubled on the turn and river (in fixed Limit games). If you can lure one or more opponents to bet or raise in one of the last two (or both) betting rounds your profit will obviously be greater. However, this move shouldn’t be used carelessly. If you slowplay and lose you have wasted a hand that probably would have won if you hadn’t slowplayed. Don’t slowplay when:

• The pot is large.
• There are many players still in the hand.
• A free card can beat your hand.
• A free card is not likely to give your opponent a second-best hand.

Check-Raising

This is a move that will help you make the most of really strong hands. When you’re holding good cards you might check instead of making a bet. You do this hoping that one of the other players will bet giving you the chance to raise when it’s your turn to act again. Another reason for check-raising is to make it too expensive for drawing hands, like gut-shot straight draws or overcards, to call. The check-raise from an early position will also give you command of the hand. If your opponents still call, at least you have obtained information about what hands they’re holding, and forced them to pay as much as possible for trying to outdraw you.

Gaining a free card

When you are sitting in late position or are last to act, you might make a raise with a drawing hand on the flop. This raise will probably make the other players check to you on the turn, giving you the chance to check (if your hand doesn’t improve. If that’s the case you have gained a free card) or bet (if your draw hits). This play will save you money if you don’t improve your hand, and make you money if you hit. However, this move is a bit risky and will cost you some money if you are re-raised on the flop. But even if that happens it’s still a good and valuable play? you will have obtained information about your opponents and in addition to this you will have a draw to a stronger hand.

Semi-bluffing

Sometimes you should bet or raise even though your hand is not likely to be the best at the moment. The time to do this is when you have many outs to improve your hand, for example a flush draw. This play is called semi-bluffing. When you make a semi-bluff you’re hoping to win the pot right away, but if you don’t you still have the chance to hit your draw. If you don’t hit your draw your raise might give you the opportunity to take a free a card on the turn or river.

No other poker concept has gained more attention than the bluff. Yet, poker players do not bluff nearly as often as Hollywood movies would have you believe. That said, being able to make a timely bluff is a necessary skill for a poker player. The reason is simple – if you never bluff you will be an easy read for your opponents and whenever you play a hand they are bound to fold.

By definition a bluff is a bet that conveys to your opponents that you have a stronger hand than you actually have. It is important to remember that it is possible to calculate the profitability of a bluff. The key is to compare the odds of pulling off the bluff to the size of the bet and the size of the pot. Consequently, you need to be able to figure out the probability of your opponent(s) folding. That is why you should not try to bluff weak opponents who call everything (”calling stations”).

There are a couple of factors that will reduce your chance of bluffing:

• You are facing three or more opponents.
• The board presents many drawing possibilities
• You have a loose table image.
• There is a large pot on the table.
• You sit in an early position

To be able to calculate your pot odds you need to always be aware of the pot size. This is no problem when playing online poker since the pot is displayed on the casino screen. When you play poker in real-life this takes a little more effort, but it is crucial that you do it.

When you know how to calculate your pot odds, you need to start applying the information and connect the pot odds to the value of your hand. The key is to calculate your chances of making a better hand than your opponents. If you have a flush draw on the flop when playing hold’em, there are nine cards (outs) that will give you a flush. Every out gives you approximately 4 percent chance of hitting the turn and the river. This means that nine outs give you a 36 percent chance (approx. 2:1) of making the flush on the turn and the river. In other words you need pot odds of at least 2:1 to call a bet on the flop.

However, when betting you need to know more than what is currently in the pot. This is more complicated than bingo. You must have an understanding of implied poker odds, the expected size of the final pot compared to the bet you currently face. When you expect further action on a hand the implied pot odds are higher than the pot odds.

In no-limit games you should often bet small with the strongest hand. This type of bet will make players call with weaker hands. An alternative is to bet 80-120% of the pot. Your opponents will suspect a bluff, and this type of bet actually generates almost as many calls as a small one.

If you are in doubt about the strength of your hand, you have to be careful. Are your draws worth going all the way with? Do not call the hand down with just a medium holding, unless you are up against a habitual bluffer or a player who is quite obviously on tilt. Avoid betting unless you are quite sure to win a showdown, especially when facing strong players. You have little to win and a lot to lose (90% of the time you will only get calls from players who believe they will beat you).

The flop is an extremely important part of Texas Hold’em. This is advice on how to act in specific situations that might arise during a game.

Playing a full house

• When there is a pair on the board and you hold the low set you will get lots of action from a player holding trips. By betting or raising you make him or her pay for drawing to a bigger full house.
• If you hold one of the pair cards and the low-card you will also get a lot of action from someone holding trips. By betting or raising you make him or her pay for attempting to outdraw you.

Playing a flush

• When the flop pairs, a player holding a set will give you a lot of action and, if your hand is the strongest, you should make him or her pay to outdraw you (remember that a full house is possible).
• Remember that if you do not have the nut flush, someone else might be drawing to a bigger flush.

Playing a straight

• When there are possible draws (flushes or higher straights) on the flop, you should bet or raise. It’s vital that you make your opponents pay for trying to outdraw you.
• When the flop pairs, a player holding a set will give you a lot of action and, if your hand is the strongest, you should make him or her pay to outdraw you (remember that a full house is possible).

Playing sets (three of a kind) with a pocket-pair

• When there are possible draws (flush or straight) on the flop, you should bet or raise. It’s vital that you make your opponents pay for trying to outdraw you.
• If the flop comes with big cards, and it was raised pre-flop, you will probably get a lot of action if you make a bet. In addition to this, the bet will give you information as to whether your three of a kind is good or not.

Playing two-pair using both pocket cards

• Avoid slow playing these kinds of hands. If you get the chance you should bet out or raise.
• If there are many possible draws on the board you should bet or raise. You want to make your opponents pay to hit their drawing hands.
• If your two-pair contains a “weak” Ace, you have to try to maximize the payoff. Players with A-K or A-Q are likely to stay in the hand to the end, and that is something you should take advantage of.
• If your two-pair is small, you have to watch out for Aces and Kings on the turn and river. If these cards come someone might well have hit a higher two-pair.

Playing over pairs

• In order to protect your hand and make your opponents fold you should bet or raise.
• Sometimes you might check-raise with this type of hand if you think an opponent will bet, and that your raise will force other players to throw their cards away.
• If someone raises, you should generally re-raise.

Playing a top-pair

With a strong kicker

• Generally you should make value bets on the flop (and the turn as well), in order to maximize the pay off. You will often be up against, calling stations, that will see the hand down with weaker kickers or even worse hands.
• If the pot has been raised you should be careful. Someone might be holding an over pair.
• Protect yourself against drawing hands by raising if someone makes a bet.

With a weak kicker

• If you get the chance, you should bet out. This is the best way to find out the strength of your hand. Sometimes you might even win the pot.
• If someone raises you should generally fold.
• If there are a lot of draws on the flop you have to be careful.
• If the flop came with three high cards you might well be beaten by a two-pair, or top-pair with a stronger kicker.

Playing second pairs

• You should fold or bet with this type of hand. Weak/loose players will often chase on middle-pairs or draws. In addition to this you might make solid players fold stronger hands, like top pair.
• However, if someone raises, you should fold.
• If someone has made a bet before it’s your turn to act, you should generally fold. This is especially true if there are players to act behind you.

Playing middle pairs

With a strong kicker

• You should fold or bet with this type of hand. Weak/loose players will often chase on with weaker hands or draws. In addition to this you might make solid players fold stronger hands, like top or second pair.
• Remember that with this hand you have 5 outs that can make you two-pair or trips. Call bets only if you have correct pot odds and if you think will win the pot if you hit your hand.

With a weak kicker

• You should generally fold these kinds of hands. The exception is if you are playing heads-up.

Playing strong drawing hands

• Go for draws where you only need one card to make your hand (a flush or a straight).
• Generally, you should not draw to a straight if there are two suited cards on the board, unless you get excellent pot odds. Remember to count two of your outs (the flush cards) as dead (giving you 6 outs instead of 8).
• Generally you should avoid going for a straight or a flush if there is a pair on the table because of the potential risk of a full house. You will need better pot odds than normal to draw.
• Instead of just calling, you should sometimes put pressure on the other players by betting, raising or check-raising. Be aggressive, especially when facing only one or two opponents who might fold decent cards.
• With really strong draws (for example, a nut flush draw with an Ace kicker gives you 12 outs), you will have almost a 50% chance of hitting on the turn and river combined. In these cases you should generally play aggressively since this tactic probably will give your Ace a better chance of winning if you hit.
• Late positions offer an extra advantage as you can raise to build the pot if there are several players in the pot. This might give you a free card if everyone checks to you on the turn, and your hand has not improved.

Playing over cards

• If there are many players still in the hand, and you do not hit, you should generally fold.
• Only draw to overcards if the pot gives great odds, and the board looks favorable (no strong drawing possibilities).
• Even if you hit one of your overcards on the turn, you have to be careful. Always keep in mind that the same card might give someone else two-pair or an even better hand.

The game – tight or loose

The game is tight when few players (2-3) see the flop on average and then fold when the cards are on the board. In these games you rarely get to see the river because everyone (except one, of course) has folded. It’s practically pointless to play in such games, even for experts. If you do decide to play in a tight game, your starting hand standards have to be very strict. You might be able to play 15% to 20% of your opening cards.

The game is loose when many players see the flop on average and tend to play their cards too far. In this type of game games you will be able to play more hands, though usually not more than 30%. You must still remember to have strict starting hand standards. If you do these games might prove very profitable.

Your position at the table

The worst position you can have pre-flop is under the gun. When you are in this position you will be the first person to act in the opening betting round. You will not have as much information as your opponents in late positions and will be more likely to make mistakes.

As a result of this you have to have very strict staring hand standards when you are sitting under the gun. For example, a hand like ATo should be thrown away from that position.

The best position is on the button, in front of the small blind. It is in this position that you will possess the most information when your turn to act arrives (at least in the last three betting rounds). When sitting on the button you will have all the information you need – how many players are in the pot, has there been a raise/re-raise, etc. This is most certainly the most profitable position and you will be able to play a lot more hands. When you are on the button and no other player has called you might raise with ATo.

Raises made

If there has been a raise you have to be very careful. You need really strong cards or very good pot odds to call in these situations. Hands like AJo and KQo should be folded in middle position if someone has raised the pot. However, if you are in late position and at least four players called the raise, you can call or even re-raise with a hand like JTs in the hopes that you will hit the flop, and win a large pot.

Opponents in the pot

Drawing hands like 87s or small pocket-pairs increase in value in multi-way pots since more players generally result in bigger pots and better pot odds. You can call before the flop with a drawing hand if you think there will be six players or more in the pot. If there are three players or less in the pot drawing hands should be avoided. You want to make sure you get a good price on this type of hands.

Big cards increase in value in short-handed games (six players or less). Aces with a lower kicker than T actually might become playable under these circumstances. In full ring games, hands like AT, KT, and QT, are worth less since they easily become trap hands.

There are tons of Texas Holdem games available on the Internet. To be successful in the long run you have to be able to find poker tables where you have an edge. If you constantly play against players that are too experienced and skilled you will find it extremely difficult to make a profit. Then it doesn’t matter how much you know about pot odds or something else if your opponent knows ever more.

Online poker games

How can you tell the strength of a poker game is before you have played in it? Actually, there are some indicators of soft (and tough) games. In online poker rooms these indicators can normally be found in the lobby:

• The average number of players seeing the flop should be at least 35 %. When this is the case the game is loose and that will give you a good chance of making some money. Try to avoid tight games with strong players.
• The average pot size is big. This is another indicator of a loose game. In fixed limit games you want the average pot size to be 12 times the big bet or larger. When the average pot size is small it will naturally be more difficult to make a profit. Use a poker tool of some sort that will help you find the most lucrative poker tables with a high average pot size and a high percentage of people that wants to see the flop.

When you are playing online you have to look out for changes in the game. On the Internet players switch tables very often, and you always have to keep track of what kind of opponents you are up against. A loose game can turn tight in a few minutes, and vice versa.

Poker tools and software to help you find easy poker tables

There are alot of tools on the market that can help you find easy to beat tables. You should get one since it might be the best investment for your bank roll – even better than a poker calculator. What can be better than finding the tables where the players are constantly loosing? Get a poker selection tool and start building your bank roll.

Live poker games

In live poker games there is no lobby that will provide you with the necessary statistics. In these cases you have to rely on your own observation skills. Study the game carefully and then decide whether you want to play in it or not. One thing you should look for is players you know to be weak. If you spot a weak player you should, if possible, sit down to the left of him (or her). That will give you great chances to capitalize on his (or her) mistakes. If you spot a player you know to be tight you should try to sit down to the right of him (or her). This will give you good possibilities to steal blinds and make successful bluffs. It’s naturally equally important to look for weak and tight players when you are playing blackjack, backgammon and poker on the Internet.

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