Can you guys give me some tips on playing no limit texas hold em poker?

Question

Im not a fish or anything though. Im usually a tight-aggressive player, but im having trouble folding hands with low-pair, two pair, etc. Even if i know that im beat i have trouble laying down my cards. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on reading players, using betting patterns to your advantage, and the importance of position.

Answer 1

When you go to reach for your chips to match a player - instead of looking down at your chips, look at the player you are opposing. If that player seems to follow your hands [with his/her] eyes over to your chips, 55% of the times they're nervous you're going to match them. Maybe before you match them, just play around with your chips and pretend like you're thinking of raising the bet. But keep your eyes on the player to see if it gets any sort of reaction out of them.

Sometimes just asking them a question like "Can you beat a flush?" [Even if you don't have one] can get them to react in a nervous fashion...play around with your opponents and try to get a reaction out of them - it doesn't work ALL the time, but you'd be surprised how people's actions can give things away. Most players out there aren't as good an actor/actress as they think they are.

One other hint is in later steps of the game when the blinds are high, and the opponent has to put in the high blind automatically, I would try raising them back. So say it's at 400 -800 and the opponent has to put in the 800...If possible come back with 1200 [raise of 800] to test your opponent...If you can make him/her drop a bad hand at those stakes, you just won your next ante. [This works best at late stage 1 on 1 times]

Good luck.

Answer 2

It's all about reading the players and the flop, as you know. A low pair, with a higher card showing, is a hand you should probably fold unless you have a good read of the other players.

The best thing to consider in this situation is, what would this player have done in pre-flop if they had the hand that beats me? Example: You hold 10-9 diamonds, flop is K-10-4, rainbow. Well, an aggressive player might have raised with a King pre-flop, so if he didn't raise, you know he's just bluffing if he raises now. Meanwhile, a non-aggressive, if he's staying in at this point, in all likelihood has the king.

Basically, as a general rule - and it's not great to generalize here, but if I have to - if the hand you're scared of is MUCH better than yours, fold to fish! And if the hand is SLIGHTLY better than yours, fold to sharks! Sharks know they don't have to beat you by much, they just have to beat you. Fish - who know something about poker, not pure beginners - play great hands, and fold mediocre ones.

Good luck!

Answer 3

ok here i go, Sometimes even if u know your beat u are calling the person down. What i want to tell u is stop doing that. In my opinion u should fold whenever u are in doubt that u might lose the hand. Poker is really about picking your spots. So what if the guy might be bluffing? Let him bluff, u can catch that person later on doing the same thing when u have the nutz. then u capitalize.
The true nature of the beast is to make money right? give him a few dollars and not more dont bother paying this person off.
Now when u know u have better cards and this same person is betting in the same manner as before try to get it to a showdown so u can see how this person is beting this will give u a good idea of what was going on in their head when the hand went down. U should note your thoughts on this person and capitalize on it.
But and a BIG BUTT if u figure out how someone is playing u dont want to take advantage of them everytime, they will figure out that you are onto them and they will play differently.

Answer 4

I have the same problem as you, I hate folding decent hands but that's what separates good players from the sucker players. Usually you can read a fake bet by the way the players has been previously playing. They bet really high in hopes to try and scare you off. Poker is a gamble in which you just have to take your chances. I am no pro but I do play a lot online so this is the only advice I can give. Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 5

Look at the card from the flop and the turn and if so the river and see what hand other players could make and what are the chances it could beat out your hand.


Mix it up a bit when playing otherwise true players will catch on you the patterns you make it is ok to bluff but do not make most of the game doing it.

Answer 6

Do NOT chase gut-shot straights and flushes unless the amount to call is insignificant in relation to your chip stack.

Switch up your play: be aggressive some hands and slow-play others

don't underestimate anyone.

talk very little, as people can pick up on subtle mannerisms.

And most of all, have fun and good luck

Answer 7

Making the big laydown is really overrated. If you want some tips try the tips from the pros archive on http://www.ultimatepokerbankroll.com or check out some 2+2 books.