by Dmitri Carleone

Created on: January 01, 2007   Last Updated: July 29, 2011

No Limit Texas Holdem.

1. General information
2. Pre-Flop
3. Play on the flop
4. The turn
5. The river

General information

No limit hold'em is maybe the most difficult poker game to learn.
There are so many factors that you have to take measures against.
You have to beware of the players quality, position, stacks and category (tight, loose, weak, good, aggressive, passive.)

Before you start to play no-limit, it's a good idea to get all the information about the game.
There many good books that will save you money, if you read them before you jump in to higher games.

Pre-Flop

One of the most important things in no-limit is position.
Position is very important because when you have good position, you are last to act, and can take advantage of what the other players have done. If for example have 10[s] 9[s], and you call UTG then another player make a big raise. Then you just have to fold. But if you sit on the button, and there is a big raise, you can fold, before you have invested any money.

Table selection is also important. If you play on a site with several tables on the limits that you want to play, take the one with the weakest players. You can use several tools to recognize weak players.

Starting hands

If you are new to no-limit, don't play too many hands, its too dangerous and you will often end up without money. Play only decent start hands:
All pairs
Big suited connectors AKs, AQs, AJs, A10s
Big connectors AK, AQ
Other connectors KQs, QJs, J10s,

Big pairs and big connectors, AA, KK, QQ, AK, AQs, usually raise, you can limp in once in a while, just to be deceptive.

Other hands are calling hands if there are callers before its your turn to act. When you are first in the pot, you can raise occasional especially from late position

Avoid putting all your money in on marginal hands. In no-limit, a big bet usually means a big hand.

Flop Play

It's very important to play well after the flop in no-limit Hold'em.

The most important thing to consider on the flop is:

The strength of your hand.
Your position.
Number of players.
Stack size.
Type of players in the pot.

Try to take all these things in consideration, and then make your move according to the information.

Flop play help

Straight flush, four of a kind, set, full house

Slowplay or try to build a pot but be careful not to get people to fold

Top pair, overpair

Bet most the times especially if your hand is vulnerable for over cards or draws. You have to bet a decent amount, about the size and the pot. But remember there

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