CasinoBain's Table Game Strategies

4. Texas Holdem Strategy

First of all, never make moves on an opponent who doesn't understand what you're doing. Never bluff the unbluffable. This might sound obvious, but there are many players who constantly, and unsuccessfully, deploy overly complex strategies against substandard poker players.

If you're up against a weak player, you should play straightforward and avoid making subtle moves. Weak players often love to call, and why not let them do that?

Bet and raise with strong hands and fold when you think you're behind. A fancy bluff on the river when "it's obvious that you have the flush" will often backfire. Don't think that you have to mix up your game to become unpredictable. Weak players simply don't care how you play - they're too busy playing their own hands, which is one reasonthey're weak.

Against a strong player - someone who is able to understand more complex plays - you have to mix up your game. Sometimes you can do the obvious play, but you also have to tell false stories: bluff, semibluff, bet with a strong hand to make it look like you're bluffing, slow-play, overbet etc.

If a player has the bluff in his own repertoire, he is more likely to think that you're bluffing. But on the other hand, he might realize that you "must have a hand" when you bet, say, 60% of the pot coast to coast.

Against a strong player you must lie, but lie so it seems believable.

Advanced Poker Strategy Guides in order of popularity.

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