by Matthew Adams

Created on: August 29, 2008   Last Updated: September 21, 2008

Texas Hold em poker has become the de-facto variant of poker card games. For the beginner, there are some things that need be considered if you are to survive at the table.

Firstly, new players of the game need to be familiar with all the basics. The basics of the game can relate to the hand ranks, from a Royal Flush down to a single double. Equally, be aware of the flop, river, and the turn.

When you first start playing, it would be best to do so in fun games only. This way, you will be able to acquaint yourself with basic play, and better prepare yourself for the real chip games. Here you will be able to try out poker, without any risk associated.

When talking about strategy, the beginner needs to remember to be patient. This is especially the case when the cards that are being dealt are not favorable. Never play in hope more than expectation, if you have a weak starting hand then fold before the flop. Do not be tempted to stay in, in the hope that you might get dealt some unlikely combination of cards when the flop emerges. It is most likely, that it will not happen.

If your starting hand has high cards, in the form of a pair, matching suite, or connected singles, then the time to play might well have arrived. With a very strong hand, be prepared to raise and re-raise before the flop. With a reasonably strong hand, a raise might be okay but nothing more. If the hand is just playable, then show caution and do not raise the pot. Playable hands are:

High Pairs:

AA, KK, QQ

Modest pairs (unsuited):

JJ, 10&10, 9&9, 8&8

Strong connected singles:

AK, KQ, QJ, J&10

Suited pairs:

77, 66 (worth a go)

High combination of singles:

AQ, AJ, Q10, K&J

Any of the above, suited or unsuited, are most certainly playable. On the flop, if it does not help then folding might be the thing to do. The flop is a key point in the game, and a failure to enhance your hand would be a good reason to fold. Unless your starting hand gave you a high pair, then folding might be wise.

If the flop helps a little, then beginners can get confused. Ultimately, they might continue to play in the hope that a potential flush, or straight emerge on the river and turn. Folding might also be wise if you do not suspect you are holding a winning hand by the flop. Deciding to stay in is risky, so if you do then certainly calling bets is the best option. Of course, if the flop further enhances your hand then raise and re-raise. Chances are that you are onto a winner.

Reading the play can help you. If you see lots of raising, then that suggests that other players have strong or very strong hands. At any rate, if you only consider your hand to be modest then it is best to fold in the face of lots of raising. On the turn and river, do be prepared to fold if you suspect that your hand might still be second or third best in the face of raising.

For a beginner, do not be tempted to bluff (raise with weaker hands). It is a more advanced tactic, and can actually lead to losses when not pulled off correctly.

Overall, the beginner should be careful not be tempted to play with modest to weak hands. Strategy should be tight play, aimed at raising only with very strong hands and folding with modest to weak hands. Be patient, limit losses and wait for the right moments to raise and stay in; doing so, will be more profitable. After playing from the fun tables, start in the low-stake lounges and from there you can move onto more advanced play.

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