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5 Texas hold ’em Strategy Tips You Should Know

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Searching for a few useful Texas hold ’em Strategy Tips? In this post, I discuss 7 tips that I personally believe can enhance your game. Texas Hold ‘Em is a poker game that compensates those who play smart. Of course, luck is always involved in Poker, but a smart player will usually win when playing bad players. The key is to know the rules, the strategies, and tactics, and just play wisely.

There are plenty of Texas hold ‘em strategy tips out there. I could never cover all of them in one post. However, I will focus on 7 strategy tips that I find crucial to improving one’s game and chances of winning.  So let’s get started.

My 5 Texas Hold ‘em Strategy Tips:

Before diving into the advanced strategy tips, let’s start with the important step of knowing how to play your starting hands.  

1. Where The Game Begins: Know Your Starting Hands

I will never play every hand that the dealer gives me, and so should you. Even the best players fold a lot of their starting hands. In Texas hold ‘em, a starting hand includes the two hole cards that belong to you, and are hidden from the other players. Another five community cards are dealt into play, but the betting starts before any of these are exposed. 

Since Poker is a game of probability, statistics, and lots of math – studies have shown which starting hands are most likely to win a game. You can easily find a preflop chart of poker starting hands, which rank them according to how probable they are to win. If you know the best starting hands – you can apply this to your Texas Hold ‘em strategy. Memorize these charts and use them to determine which hands to play from which positions.

However, you can’t just wait for the best poker starting hands. The probability of these cards being dealt is not big, so this will mean you won’t be playing many hands. The key is to combine your starting hands knowledge together with your position strategy and other tactics. 

2. Find The Patsy and Select the Right Table

Warren Buffett, the legendary investor once said — ‘If you’ve been playing poker for half an hour and you still don’t know who the patsy is, you’re the patsy.’ It’s a brilliant quote.

This practically means you need to do your intelligence work. Monitor your table and try to identify the bad players. Why is it so important? Because identifying bad players is where you can make most of your profits. 

If there are no patsys at your poker table, it will be much harder for you to win and be profitable. 

How do you identify the patsys? Well, they are usually the players that play too many hands, try too many bluffing tactics, and repeatedly bet with bad hands.  

This is especially important when playing online poker. There are hundreds of games being played every single minute, with lots of patsys out there. You need to look around and monitor the tables and ensure you pick the games with as many patsys as you can find. This will increase your chances of winning. 

3. Know How To Size Your Bets

Playing online poker, especially in No Limit cash games, provides you with a dangerous scenario of betting any amount that you have in front of you. This false “freedom” can eventually get you into big trouble. 

When sizing your bet before the flop, follow what is going on at your table. If the typical pre-flop raise is 2xBB – then that is the size you should take. Trying to be smart and raising an unusual amount pre-flop can make it hard for your opponents to think clearly. Make sure you are sizing your bet according to the table. 

After the flop, it’s a different story. In case you were the raiser before the flop, you’re practically obliged to place a continuation bet (known as c-bet). How big should your c-bet be? Well, it should assist you in defining the strength of your hand, and will usually be between 40% to 75% of the pot. Almost every novice player or patsy will see a big c-bet as a sign of strength. This will allow you, in most cases, to get the handover.     

The goal of this is to make your opponents believe that you own the game. In a scenario where your continuation bet is too small, you may face a re-raise or check-raise. On the other hand, if you size a bet too big – you may end up in a scenario where you’re committed to a hand beyond your plans. 

4. Deploy the Check-Raise as a Strategy

When you’re holding the strongest possible hand, you can check-raise your opponent’s bet to squeeze more money into the pot. On the other hand, when you think your opponent has the strongest hand, you can check-raise in order to bluff and scare your opponent into throwing his hand away.

What exactly is a Check-Raise in Poker? Well, it’s a tactic of checking when the action’s on you and raising following a player’s bet behind you.

Why is Check-Raise a good tactic? It can be a good move for two main goals mentioned above: Squeezing more value into the pot when you have a strong hand, or bluffing and scaring your opponent into throwing his strong hand away.

Like many poker pros, I believe the check-raise is a brilliant tactic that should be part of your poker strategy. 

5) After the Flop – Make The Smart Move

After seeing the flop, many novice players tend to make stupid mistakes. Some patsys think that because they’ve already “invested” in a hand – they should stay and play it out, no matter what hand they have. 

Never be afraid to cut your losses after you see the flop. Don’t play out a hand just because you’re in it. After a flop, if you aren’t in a good position – the better odds are usually in favor of getting out.

However, this will depend on several factors, like the number of players at the table. When this number goes down – so does the probability of a strong hand. If you’re only three at the table – the better odds may be for you to be more aggressive.

Final thoughts…

There are plenty of Texas hold ’em Strategy Tips out there. After absorbing the tips above, you should go back to Google and search for more articles with other useful Poker advice. For players like us, the learning process never really ends.

 

Want to read more of our posts? Learn what is 4 Betting Poker or how to set up private poker rooms.

3 Tips on How To Increase Your Chances of Winning in Poker

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Searching for useful tips that’ll help you out of the losing streak and start winning in poker? Well, you’ve reached the right page for a few tips that can help you. Poker is quite an exciting card game and is full of unmatched excitement, especially if you win. However, as is with most of the other online casino games, there’s always a chance that you might lose. This is why it’s imperative to brush up on your poker skills and improve your winning chances. There are several tips to help you do this without having to break a sweat. Take a look at a few of them below. 

3 Tips To Help You Increase Your Chances of Winning in Poker:

1. Engage in Free Practice 

Some of the most reputable poker sites will offer you a chance to play poker for free. This is quite an advantage compared to physical gaming, where there is no free game option. The free version means that you won’t have to put in actual money to play. 

Instead, you use virtual currency, and in case you lose, you won’t have to part with any of your hard-earned cash. This is an excellent opportunity to test out different strategies and figure out which one you like best. You now get a chance to work on your overall game and improve in areas that you find challenging. 

These free versions of online poker only earn you virtual currency. You can’t take home any real money from the wins you get under your belt. However, that shouldn’t stop you from sharpening your playing skills and enhancing your chances of winning.

2. If on a Losing Streak, Don’t Try to Make Up for It

Being good at playing poker means that you need to know when to quit. Granted, it can be quite exhilarating to keep playing, but when you’re on a losing streak, you should put a stop to it. The main aim is to avoid losing in consecutive games. 

You may be tempted to push your luck, but that only opens you up to more vulnerabilities. You won’t be winning in poker if you keep Pull away from the notion of wanting to compensate for all you’ve lost. You could end up losing even more than you should have. 

It is therefore very crucial that you pick a version of poker that matches your style of play. This way, you will always have the upper hand in a game. Treat each game as an opportunity to get better, and soon enough, you will get there.

3. Get Someone Else to Coach You 

A poker coach can help you identify all your weaknesses in a game and tell you how to avoid them. There are numerous coaching professionals online that can help you do that. The only thing you need to pay attention to is their level of expertise. 

They need to be proficient in the game and have played the game for several years to be trustworthy. You can find many ads on the various online platforms for these coaches. The only downside to this is that you’d have to part with a considerable amount of money. 

Sometimes, it might even cost as much as $200. Not everyone can afford to pay such an amount. However, this is one of the best ways to improve your chances of winning at poker. 

How to Play Online Poker in the USA

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Many events of 2020 made for jaw-dropping headlines, but one news that flew under the radar is that online poker is back in style, with user activity up more than 25%. While everyone knows that the world’s most popular card game ruled the world in the early to mid-2000s, riding the coattails of the movie Rounders and occasional WSOP telecasts, it began to fizzle out post-2006. However, during this period between 2000-2006, its player pool doubled each year. At one point, it seemed that playing real money poker on the internet stood a shot of becoming most American’s new favorite pastime.

Sadly, once the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 passed, many poker platforms shut down, while others left the United States altogether. Today, no federal law prohibits US players from enjoying this game online, but only four states allow it. These are Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Currently, 888 is the only poker platform that shares players between three states (Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware). 

That is why most US residents prefer to play at offshore sites. Below we explain how to get started with this hobby and list what many believe are the best and most trustworthy options in a sea packed with fierce competitors.

How to Open a Poker Account from the USA?

Never sign-up with a gambling platform without first doing your due diligence. Naturally, this requires some work. An easier route is to read US-friendly poker site reviews. Google the top interactive gaming info hubs and go through their analysis of the digital poker room that has caught your eye.

These review hubs provide in-depth articles that inform you of fine print and help you avoid common pitfalls with specific operators. For example, they will tell you if a site has a gaming license or not. Non-US operators face the same amount of scrutiny as state-regulated ones from international overseeing bodies. Curaçao master license holders, of which there are four, are the most popular choice for most offshore gambling companies.

That said, making the right choice as to where to play involves more than picking an operator with a terrific reputation. You also have to factor in the bonuses on offer and your deposit/withdrawal options. Poker promotion-wise, the most common deals you’ll find are no deposit bonus, a first-deposit one, and a Rakeback deal.

The Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are a rare thing, and they entail free playing funds without any deposit. Though the sum offered is never substantial and often falls in the $5 to $20 range. 

A first-deposit bonus usually involves percentage matching. Meaning, the operator will match the funds you place into your account up to a specific amount. For example, a 50% up to $200 promo means that if you make a first deposit of $200, the platform will award you $100. If you first fulfill the set conditions of their offer. 

A Rakeback deal provides a specified percentage of your rake back from the games you have participated in, typically between 10% to 30%. Other less popular deals include free-rolls, reload bonuses, and referral commissions. Always opt for any offer that features favorable terms. If you are a newbie, look at poker site reviews to see what they say on this subject.

Depositing and withdrawing funds from gambling sites is super-easy. All you have to do is follow simple instructions in the cashier/banking tab inside your profile page. All deposits should go through instantly, with your funds landing in your poker account within seconds. However, when it comes to withdrawals, things can drag out if you opt for a method such as a credit/debit card or a bank transfer. 

Remember that cryptocurrencies are the fastest way to get united with your money, and they provide anonymity. If they are not available, or if you do not have any digital coins, the next best option to use is e-wallets. Remember to check the processing times and associated fees provided by your operator. If you cannot find these, look them up in a poker site review.

BetOnline

BetOnline is a super-old poker site and one of the largest digital sportsbooks. Based in Panama, this industry pioneer has been around since 2001. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that it launched its poker section. In the beginning, BetOnline utilized the Chico Poker Network. In 2016, they established their proprietary software, developed by Connective Games. The platform also has a casino section that features close to 250 slots from Betsoft and Concept Gaming and a live lobby from Fresh Deck Studios.

BetOnline provides a welcome offer that will match your first deposit 100% up to $1,000 if you use the promo code – NEWBOL on sign-up. This site features impressive VIP Rakeback deals that can go up to 40% and a progressive prize via its Bad Beat Jackpot. It specializes in Texas Hold’em and Omaha, and it has re-buy, deep stack, freeze-out, and turbo tournaments. 

You can use six cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals, but Visa and MasterCard are only available for funding your account. If you are not a crypto fan and want to remove your BetOnline funds, you will have to do it with a bank wire transfer or Check by Courier. 

Bovada

Technically, Bovada has been around since the mid-1990s, as it is the brainchild of Canadian entrepreneur Calvin Ayre, who launched his digital gambling empire in 1996. In 2000, he established Bodog.com, and due to the passing of UIGEA, in 2011, he rebranded his US domain as Bovada. 

Thus, this is the North American brand of gambling juggernaut Bodog, which offers everything from sports and casino betting to poker and racehorse wagering. Though Bovada is best known as a sportsbook, its poker section is equally impressive, and its casino lobby isn’t shabby at all. The latter boasts 350 products from Rival Gaming, RTG, and Betsoft.

Bovada offers a sign-up deal that matches your first deposit 100% up to $500 if you type in the coupon code – PWB500 upon registration. Once you unlock this offer, you will have to download the Bovada app and begin earning poker reward points. Your free funds depend on your first deposit, but you will start unlocking this deal in increments of $5 for every 150 rewards points earned by playing poker. 

These points get credited upon exiting a cash game or finishing a tournament. Bovada’s VIP program bears the name the Red Room. You will have to contact the support staff to find out how you can join this club. Once you do, you will get treated to exclusive cash rewards, personalized service, and super-fast payouts. Speaking of money transfers, you can deposit funds via crypto and Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Union Pay. Yet, you can only make a withdrawal using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Check by Courier, and through vouchers.

Intertops

Though not a world-renowned brand, Intertops has a special place in gambling history. It is responsible for many firsts in this sphere. Few know that Intertops was the original mobile betting site. It was the initial platform to make a casino/sports/poker centralized player bank. It was also the first operator to accept an internet sports wager. Thus, its reliability is not in question, even though it has an obscure license from Saint Kitts and Nevis.

When it comes to poker, Intertops boasts one of the highest flat Rakeback deals ever. A lucrative 36% Rakeback program. That means that each time the site collects a rake of $28 from you, it pays back ten bucks. The welcome deal consists of an offer that matches your deposited funds 200% up to $1,000, and it features a rare 90-day deadline. 

On top of this, Intertops provides three no deposit bonuses, reload offers, and a loyalty program. Inside the latter, you accumulate frequent player points that you can turn into gold chips. You can make deposits on this platform using Visa and MasterCard, but you cannot withdraw your funds via these options. For that, you will have to rely on cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, and Check by Courier.

Online poker has made its long-awaited comeback. Even though the internet is swimming with platforms salivating to have you as a player, do not sign-up with any ole website. You must research operators before depositing any funds and sitting at their virtual tables. If you cannot do the required legwork, select one of the three options listed above or others with glowing reviews from premium iGaming review hubs. 

Remember to pay close attention to the transaction options at all poker platforms. Unnecessary fees or long processing times can sour your poker experience. Also, make sure to take advantage of any worthwhile bonus and always gamble responsibly.

About the Author

Shelly Schiff is an online gambling maven that has worked professionally in this industry for over a decade. Since 2009, she has been steadily providing countless gaming websites with quality
content but is best known for her work at Online United States Casinos, a premium online
casino review site. Shelly has in-depth knowledge of slots and is super-passionate about the
crypto side of the gambling sector. In her free time, she loves listening to 1980s rock music and
playing with her dog, Garry.

A Short Guide on What is 4 Betting Poker

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Are you interested in playing Poker? Or are you a beginner wanting to know how betting in poker works? This article will focus on 4 betting Poker. Four-bet or 4 bet in Poker happens when a bet, a raise, a re-raise, and another raise occurs. That last raise is called a 4 bet. This is a slang term you will often hear from live commenters and generally a very exciting moment in a poker hand. 

With 4-bets, stakes are high and nerves can blur good judgment. Whilst 4 bets in poker are weapons of mass destruction, especially in a table full of both tight and loose aggressive players, it is not a move to use lightly or simply because you feel like it. Oftentimes, a four-bet in poker builds up a massive pot, even early in a hand. You do not want to get involved in such a committing move without knowing what may happen over the next streets, and even having a way out (other than the very predictable desperate all-in).

4 Betting Poker Explained

A 4-bet boosts your chances and chip count when used at the right time and against the right type of players. This technique lets you take advantage of players and take their aggression to reveal their weaknesses. Here’s how a four-bet works, in practice.

If a player re-raises from a previous raise, then he is using a 3-bet. A 4-bet is made by another player that is ready to re-raise the 3-bet. A pre-flop raise as 4-bet is used before the shared cards (community cards) are shown. At this point, players who utilize four-betting rely on their secret cards (hole cards) and their opponents.

There are many reasons why a 4 betting poker strategy is useful and often, profitable. Usually, you want to get the maximum worth from other players with poor hold cards but cannot let go of them. Some players use a 4-bet to bluff their opponents.

4 betting pokerThree-Bet vs. Four-Bet

A three-bet is the term used to define the initial raise before the flop. Three-bet came from fixed-limit card games as the first raise is equivalent to two bets, a re-raise is three-bets, etc. In no-limit card games, the big blind is the force or first bet, the initial raise is the second one, and the first re-raise becomes the third or the three-bet. 

The next re-raise is the 4-bet, and therefore, the two differ according to the time the bet was placed. A player using the three-bet strategy may still wait for another more aggressive player to “shove it in.” This is another way to call a 4-bet. And the next raise after that would be a 5-bet, and so on.

How To Use a 4 Bet in Poker?

There are many ways to use a 4-bet in Poker. In all of these strategies, position counts as this affects how the other players realize their value or equity. An opponent may consider equity very well when considering a position. He may consider it poorly when he is not playing in position. 

If a 3-bet forces you with a premium hand (like pocket kings), use 4 betting poker. If you possess a strong hand playing No-Limit Hold ’em, after a flop or before a flop, work on a fast play rather than play it slow to catch your opponents. 

In some instances, when slow premium hands are correct, fast play increases the pot to get the best value. With a 4-bet, you’ll increase the pot size if your hand is ahead plus cut off your opponent. 

You can reduce positional disadvantage with 4 bet poker. It’s quite scary to try four bet poker for the first time, but soon you will learn how to overcome your fear. A lower stack-to-pot ratio is expected, and thus, the hand is effortless to play. And by using 4-bets often, you can become more comfortable with the strategy. 

4-bet is best played in really compromising large 3-bets. This is what you often see in live poker games. A player folds all except for the strong hands and then 4-bet the strongest cards. Remember, 4-bet against tough competition but choose wisely according to the equity. Avoid trapping when you’re faced with a 3-bet.

There are also times that 4-bet should not be used. If you “feel” that the time is correct, but you have never assessed your cards, then hold off using 4 bet poker. Don’t play with random cards because you are just up for a huge mistake. 

Always make sure that you are using 4 bet poker strategies correctly and never 4-bet on a whim. This is your key to success at every poker game when surrounded by LAG and TAG players. We always recommend watching a few videos of professional poker players using 3-bets and 4-bets to see how they flow in a game. Losing one can be disastrous so be careful.

How to Win At Poker As A Beginner in 2021: The Ultimate Guide

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Finding practical poker tips for beginners is not easy. When you search “how to win poker,” you will get tons of contradicting information from different sources – and this can make it challenging to even know where to begin. 

Starting out the right way in poker is crucially essential. When you use the wrong strategies when starting, your play will be compromised, and this means you will attain poor results for a long time to come. 

In this article, we are going to discuss some of the poker strategies and tips that will sharpen your gameplay as a beginner and make you a pro in no time. Read on!

4 Tips on How to Win at Poker as a Beginner:

1. Be Aggressive. It Pays!

If you want to achieve success in life, you have to be aggressive in whatever you do. This also holds true in poker. If you want to become the best, don’t bet once, lose, and give up! The only way to keep winning is to bet a lot. 

Poker is a game of focused and timed aggression. As a novice player, don’t be too cautious (but you should be cautious). 

On solid opening hands such as high pairs or a hand made up of A-Q or A-K, ensure you play more aggressively than you think you should. These are cards you need to start out with a raise. 

Check out Isabelle Mercier’s guide on opening with one pair. It will help you to master the basics of this game and you will know when you need to be more aggressive at the table.

When you are in a game with a full table, you should display your aggression by forcing players with weaker holdings to cough up or stay in – or force them out. 

One of the most embarrassing things in poker is underplaying a pair of kings only to be beaten by a player who checked prior to the flop with 8-4 and wondrously caught a straight! Make sure you push as many players out of the pot as early as possible.

Don’t forget that aggressive play builds big pots. In case you have the winning hand, the most prudent thing to do is milk the table for all you can get. Aggression puts pressure on your opponents and increases your chances of success.

2. Be patient!

Even with aggression, the virtual of patience pays off in poker. Therefore, don’t use your aggression to throw money away on bad hands in the hope of catching a winning card. Doing this is one of the surest ways of cutting down the size of your chip stack. 

One of the smartest yet overlooked poker strategies is to fold more hands than you play. This might seem boring to most players and enthusiasts, but it is a trick that works!

Do this to up your patience levels:

  • Wait for a situation where poker odds are in your favor. Then, use your aggression to go after the pot!
  • Whenever you have a strong hand, make sure you fold and wait.
  • Once you fold, use your time to watch other players and study how they play.
  • When you don’t have to worry about your hand, focus on other players’ hands.

poker beginner guide

3. Play For the Long Term

As a new player, you will most likely lose most of the time. However, don’t let these losses discourage you from becoming a pro. Consider playing in the long term, and you will become better every day. 

Don’t forget that learning to win poker is a long-term project that demands playing tons of games in a real-game setting. This is the only way to hone your skills, and it will take time, effort, and even resources to become an expert.

4. Develop your skills

Even though you can learn everything about poker from both wins and losses, you should remember that poker is not just a game you master at the table. You must go the extra mile and research. 

Read books, blogs, magazines, and other resources about poker. For example, you can find out how does the martingale strategy work through the TwinSpires Edge guide and apply it to poker.

Ensure you only rely on authoritative information sources and implement all the helpful strategies you find.

As you grow your skills, make sure you remember these three things: Be cautious, be aggressive, be patient! Also, don’t use all your money so that you can become a better poker player. 

Set a budget – both for every session and over the long term and stick to it. Play responsibly, and you will join the bandwagon of celebrated poker players before you know it. Good luck!

How to Play Real Money Poker Without a Deposit

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Want to play poker with real money but with no deposit? Don’t want to risk your own money yet while playing online poker? You’ve reached the right place. In this post, we’ll discuss how No Deposit Bonuses provide you with the chance to play online poker for real money, learn and practice, and build a bankroll – without putting up a dime. 

A No Deposit Bonus, also referred to as free poker bankrolls, means free poker money given by the online poker site (to attract new players, of course), so you do not need to risk your own money. It’s basically a premium you receive as a “gift” for signing up to a poker or casino site. However, these types of bonuses are not exclusive to online Poker. You can find a free bet no deposit casino bonus for sports betting sites and almost every online casino game. 

Are No Deposit Poker Bonuses Free?

Yes indeed, it might sound surprising and fishy, but it’s true. No Deposit Poker Bonuses are 100% free, there’s no deposit required. All you need to do in order to receive the Bonus is to sign up at your selected poker site. You’ll receive the promised free poker bankroll once your registration is complete. 

The Advantages of Free Poker Bankrolls (The other name for No Deposit Poker Bonuses)

This is pretty obvious, but still – I want to emphasize how important it is for you to take advantage of these No Deposit Poker Bonuses. These Free Poker Bankrolls have propelled a lot of successful players who started from nothing and become regular winners. 

Aside from the fact this lets you start off easy and risk-free as a newbie, it’s also relevant for advanced players. This means that you can take advantage of these free bankrolls to play poker no matter what your skill level is. Even professional players open new accounts on poker sites just in order to get No Deposit Poker Bonuses.

To my opinion, the Free Poker Bankrolls are far better than other poker promotions like Poker Bonus Codes or Poker Freerolls, because you get real money to play with without risking your own. 

Are No Deposit Bonuses Valid Indefinitely? 

This depends. Every Poker or Online Casino site has its own rules and regulations. A few of the sites offer No Deposit Bonuses that are valid indefinitely, but most of the sites do not. The majority of sites set a specific time frame (from the moment of registration) in which you have to play and consume your bonus.

The average time frame of bonus validity is between 7 to 90 days. Seven days may sound short, but for some players, it’s enough to practice, learn the platform, and even build a little bankroll. To find out the exact time frame of the No Deposit bonus – you’ll need to read the terms and conditions of the bonus at each site.

Know this: Every poker or casino site offers only one No Deposit Bonus per account. As soon as you consume the poker bonus on one site, you won’t be able to get another – under that same account. So my advice, in order to maximize your potential profits and learning curve – register on as many poker sites (that offer No Deposit bonuses) as possible.   

Conclusion

No doubt about it, Free Poker Bankrolls (or No Deposit Bonuses) are a win-win feature for you and the poker player, and the online casino. They make sure that you indeed play on their site, hopefully for a long time, while you get real free poker money that you can use to play and improve your skills. For beginners, it’s definitely the best and safest way to jump-start your online poker career!

How to Improve and Become Better at Texas Hold’em

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Due to Covid-19 and lockdown globally, online casinos really have come into their own in
2020, and with Texas Hold’em being the most popular form of poker, it really has opened the
opportunity for steady poker players to win big this summer. We’ve put together a beginner’s
guide on how to improve and become better at your general Texas Hold’em gameplay.

Fancy a change to your usual online casino fix? Due to the pandemic slowly starting to ease
and public trust starting to increase again, live sporting events are starting again behind closed
doors; meaning the re-opening of the betting markets. There are still many betting sites not on
Gamstop to allow for your bets to be placed without any restrictions and hold-ups when you
have a tipped guaranteed winner.

Before starting the game of Texas Hold’em, ensure you take note of this little tip – positioning
yourself on the table to the right of the dealer gives the potential to have more power than the
dealer himself, due to the fact that you can raise the bet and knock the dealer out of play,
and therefore positioning yourself in the strongest place on the table.

Our next tip would be starting the game quietly, don’t go in all guns blazing into the first
couple hands and wait for your time to pounce once you know you are in the driving seat. It’s
best to ease yourself into the game and work out opposition tactics and playing patterns and
try to work out when they are bluffing or not (this is more difficult!)

Knowing when to raise in poker is ultimately the best tip we can offer to you, as this is what
you use to confuse your opponents and allow you to take control of the game. If you believe
you’ve got the best hand, raise big. This will fend off any players who have average hands and
also if they think they’ve got good hands they’ll eventually lose to your strong hand.

If you have a hand that is made and doesn’t require any more cards from the river, raising slightly
will allow for opponents to question their hand in play and make them more likely to fold. Finally, raise
to gain information from your other opponents – if you raise, your opponents with either
raise, call, or fold. This will give you info on how strong their hands are, giving you the
opportunity to decide your next move.

These three simple tips will allow you to improve your knowledge into the game and
hopefully, once you are able to play again in a real casino, give these a go and see how you fare.

Need to refresh your Poker Terms? Click here.

Greatest Poker Players Of All Times

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Poker is one of the most profitable games for professional players but also comes with huge risks. Many players tend to put huge amounts of money on the line. There are some players that will go down in the history of the game as some of the best poker players ever. Today we access who we think are among the best players of all times.

When we have to talk about the greatest of all time in the sport of poker, we have to mention that of Phil Ivey. Ranked as 8th on the all-time money list, he is one of the most respected of this generation. Ivey was known for his quiet gameplay and professionalism; many people view him as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

He achieved a lot of success from a young age and actually when he was 16, he invested in a fake ID and regularly started playing in his local city Atlantic City on his quest to become a professional player. 

Greatest Poker Players
Phil Ivey, WSOP Champion Event #25 $2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo 8-or-better. Photo by flipchip courtesy of lasvegasvegas.com and under license 3.0

Wanting to pit yourself on online poker tables against thousands of other hopefuls? You can do that by checking out CNOG and searching here for some of the best poker markets on the web. Not only do they have high-quality gameplay, but they are also 24/7 accessible, your gambling will never be limited by a self-exclusion scheme and they have some of the best offers and bonuses for all new customers.

However, if we are going to talk about the number one on the all-time money list then Daniel Negreanu has to come into contention. Winning a total of over $36 million in his career, Negreanu found his love for the sport at the age of 16.

He gambled illegally until he was finally able to move to Las Vegas in the hope to become a professional player. However, he wasn’t only one of the greatest players ever to play poker.

Negreanu was known to be one of the most friendly and pleasant players to play with and is idolized around the world for his poker skills.

 

Poker players
Cyndy Violette with Doyle Brunson at the 2005 World Series of Poker. Photo by Photos by flipchip / LasVegasVegas.com
under license 3.0

Known as the grandfather of Texas Hold’em, Doyle Brunson will go down as one of the biggest legends in poker ever. His incredible reputation is not just through his skill and total earnings. Brunson will be remembered for his longevity in the game and his demeanor towards other players – and especially the upcoming players where he would give knowledge and wisdom to all. He has won a record 10 bracelets from the WSOP and continues to play now even at the age of 87.

For more poker superstars – check this page.

Roulette vs Poker: The Differences and Similarities

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Roulette and Poker are two of the most well known and widely played casino games aof all times. You’ll find versions of both in almost any casino, whether it be in physical locations around the world or online at sites like online-roulette.com.

There are various reasons for the popularity of both games and some people gravitate more towards one game than the other. When choosing between Roulette and Poker, it really comes down to personal taste.

To help you discover which game might be more suited to you, this article examines the key differences and similarities between these two casino classics.

Roulette and Poker Similarities

As far as the actual gameplay goes, Roulette and Poker are very different. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any similarities that can be found between them.

Strategic play

Both games require a certain amount of luck but, to increase the odds of winning, players can employ their own strategies.

A strategy doesn’t guarantee a win but it improves your chances by giving you a set of guidelines to stick to in various gameplay situations. The strategy is used to tip the scales in your favor.

You can use a gameplay strategy, which will be unique to the game you’re playing. You can also make use of betting strategies where you place different wagers depending on the outcome of a game. The Martingale strategy is a popular betting strategy that is used across many different casino games and even in sports betting and forex trading.

roulette and poker

Luck and Probability

You can use the best strategy in the world and be a great player but you still need to have luck on your side to win in Roulette and Poker.

Roulette is very heavily based on luck since the whole outcome of the game relies on the ball landing in a random spot on the wheel. Poker also requires some luck since the cards are shuffled and dealt at random to players.

As a result of these random elements in each game, a good knowledge of probability will help with your bets and guide your actions.

For example, knowing exactly which bets on the Roulette table have the most favorable risk-to-reward ratio is crucial for placing smart bets that align with your risk tolerance and playstyle.

Poker and Roulette Differences

The obvious difference between the games is they are played very differently from each other. Obviously, one is a card game and the other is a table game with a wheel. Aside from the contrasting gameplay, the list below outlines the main differences between the games.

Accessibility

An extreme difference between Poker and Roulette is how simple they are to play for newcomers. Roulette is a very accessible game since the premise is straightforward: place a bet on where you think the ball will land.

To win regularly, you need to use more advanced strategies and have a deeper understanding, but Roulette is easy to get started with for beginners.

Poker, on the other hand, involves a number of rules and complex terminology. This makes it a lot more difficult for new players to even get started, let alone stand a chance of winning against experienced players.

As a result, playing Poker privately with your friends is the best way to learn the game before playing on open tables in the casino.

roulette and poker table
An extreme difference between Poker and Roulette is how simple they are to play for newcomers.

House Edge

When playing Roulette, you are playing directly against the casino. To ensure the casino always makes money from these types of games in the long run, they are designed with features to increase the house edge. The house edge in Roulette is determined by the green zero pockets on the wheel.

The zero pockets decrease the chances of the ball landing on other pockets but the payouts don’t match the decreased odds, which means the house edge is increased. The North American version of Roulette features an additional “double-zero” pocket to enhance the house edge further. For this reason, European Roulette should always be played over the North American version.

Poker on the other hand has no house edge whatsoever because players are betting against each other and not the casino. The casinos make money by charging a fee for playing at the table so it doesn’t matter to them how much is won or lost during the game itself.

Bad Luck Can Win Poker

Earlier, I mentioned the amount of luck that is involved in winning both games. Well, the way luck works in the games can be very different. 

In Roulette, bad luck means the ball hasn’t landed in the area you have bet on. Of course, this means you lose the money you wagered and can do nothing about it.

In Poker, bad luck would usually mean being dealt a bad hand. Unlike Roulette, you still stand a chance of winning even with this bad deal. By employing clever betting tactics, you can “bluff” your way to make others believe you’re holding better cards than the reality.

In some cases, players with better hands might simply fold as they wrongly believe their cards to be inferior to yours.

5 Video Poker Strategies That Can Help You Win

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If you love poker, you’ve probably played Video Poker once or twice, or maybe more. This popular version first appeared in the casino scene back in the ’70s and has skyrocketed ever since. In this post, we’ll discuss a few smart video poker strategies that can help you elevate your game. But let’s start at the very beginning, for those who’re new to this. 

What is Video Poker? And How Do You Play It?

Video poker is basically based on five-card draw poker. The game is played on a computerized console similar to a slot machine, or online. You can find plenty of free video poker games with no registration

Playing video poker is quite simple. After you insert money into the machine, you place a bet of one or more credits and press the “deal” button. You’re given 5 cards (hence five-card draw) and you now have the option to discard one or more of them in exchange for new cards drawn from the same virtual deck. After the draw, the machine will payout if the hands played match one of the winning combinations (these are posted on the paytable). Contrary to table poker, you may discard all five of your original cards if you choose so. 

One of the reasons why video poker became so popular, is the fact that it’s one of the few casino games in which the house does not have the advantage it enjoys in most other table games or slot machines. With this in mind, there are plenty of tips and some basic strategies you should follow.

Video Poker Strategies You Should Know 

1. Before You Play, Practice

Practice is key in acquiring and honing any skill, no matter the field. Any sport requires extensive practice sessions in order to know the game and to excel at it. The same goes for playing video poker. Despite not being anywhere as intense as soccer, rugby, or other sports – it does have a toll on your mind, and that’s where you need the most practice.

video poker strategies

 

The best way to practice video poker is by downloading a video poker app to your desktop, smartphone, or tablet. Some may cost up to $50 or so (which will probably be well worth the investment), but you can also find video poker apps for free, like this one on the App store

Most video poker applications deliver the same features. They include the pay tables and resultant strategies for a number of video poker games. You’ll be able to customize the games so you can practice the exact game and version that you plan to play in real life. 

2. Know The Pay Tables 

Like other slot machines, Video poker also has pay tables. What are Pay tables? 

Well, video poker games pay a certain amount based on the combination you get as you play. The Pay Tables show for each combination of symbols and the number of coins bet – how many coins or credits you can win. Since all the probabilities mirror a 52-card deck, the odds of getting any one of the symbols in video poker games can be easily calculated.  

Let’s say you have a choice between two video poker machines: One with a Paytable that returns 99.65% with perfect play, while the other returns 97.5%. It may look insignificant, but your money will last longer on the first machine, and you’ll increase your chances of beating the house. 

That’s why it’s key that you perform proper research in order to identify and select the video poker machines with the best pay tables. 

3. Know What To Avoid

When you play “Jacks or Better,” (the most common variation of video poker where payoffs begin at a pair of jacks) – avoid the widespread blunder of holding a kicker. Many players make that mistake, believing that retaining a kicker will give them a bigger chance to win with a higher payout.

You should also refrain from keeping three cards in an attempt to get that straight or flush. It will eventually leave you in a losing position. Having said that, there are cases in which you can keep all three cards and that’s when you really can pull off a valuable straight flush.

You need to understand this basic strategy for winning a video poker machine – don’t ever give up a winning hand just to pursue an even better hand.

4. Play Slower Hands

This might sound like one of those trivial video poker strategies, but it’s probably the only tip that’ll keep you in the game. Yes, we all know that the more we play – the more we tend to lose. However, video poker is different from online poker. 

In the first, the key strategy is to play fewer hands, while in video poker you need to play slow. The last thing you want to do is play fast and lose lots of money in a short period of time. Playing slower hands will lessen your hourly losses, allow you to survive longer on the machine, and increase your chances to hit that royal flush.

So go ahead and take your time, at video poker no one will be pushing you to make your next move. Play slow and safe, at your own time.

5. Always Monitor the Bonuses

As you surely noticed when surfing through online casino sites, there are plenty of promotions and bonus offers at every site, every day of the year. The problem is there are so many bonuses out there – that players tend to ignore them. Don’t do that. 

By finding and targeting the right bonuses and promotions – you can increase your chances to win at video poker. The simple reason is that these bonuses are basically free money for you to play more games. The more games you play on a machine increases your chance to win.

So don’t ignore all these bonus ads, moreover – you should contact a casino’s sales and ask for special bonuses that they might offer you.

Hope you enjoyed our five video poker strategies. Our last tip: If you find yourself in new scenarios where you don’t know what to do – just google it or email us – we’ll be happy to help!