How do you win large pots?

To do this you need to get money into the pot when you are drawing to the nuts. Conversely, you need to get out of the pot when you have hands that could turn into second-best hands. This is important in a multi-way pot where it would usually be too late to get additional money into the pot if you wait till you have made your hand. The important question here is how often will you win. It is absolutely imperative that you get money into the pot while you are drawing. Even if you will lose most of these, you will be more than compensated when you win. And you will pay a lesser rake than your opponents.

Other tactics used to beat the rake are blind stealing and buying a free card. Blind stealing refers to betting when only blinds are left pre-flop. Raise from the small blind position or from the position just before the small blind to try and steal the cost of the two blinds. Buying a free card is best used in when you are in the last position. You bet if no one else has raised post-flop. This will cut down on the number of players, but those who stay will tend to check to you. Then you don't necessarily have to bet again on the turn. Pre-flop Strategies In poker 'flop' refers to the first three community cards put out face-up together. Pre-flop strategy is important in Texas Holdem because it is the initial decision you make on the game that is important to you success.

Your pre-flop strategy should be to make sure that you play only those hands which have a strong chance of winning. Beginners simply play too many hands. Remember, the masters of the game have only one advice: play tight and play aggressively. Now, you pre-flop strategy is linked to your position at the table. Position is especially important if you are playing no-limit game, since it is easier to 'buy' the pot or 'steal the blinds' with a big bet. Let us figure out those positions now: Dealer: the guy with the 'button'.

He will be the last person to bet during post-flop play. Big Blind: He sits 2 seats to the left of the dealer. He will be the last person to bet pre-flop. Small Blind: He sits directly to the left of the dealer. He posts half of the bet to start the game, and may call it when his turn comes. Under the Gun: The player to the left of Big Blind. He will be the first person in the game to be able to make a bet.

Your poker strategy and your position

When considering pre-flop play, the early position consists of 'under the gun' and the players to his left. The next four players are considered mid-position. The final three players, which includes the blinds, are considered late-position. However, after the first round of betting the person directly to the left of the dealer becomes the first to act, and all positions rotate accordingly. You must play very tight and very aggressive when you are under the gun.

The first position is the most critical position. Besides you don't have any information about your opponents' hands when you are taking decision. You should be playing only AA, KK, AKs, QQ, AK, JJ, AQs, AQo, or AJs at this position. Fold any other hands. If you are in mid-position, you can play all the hands above, plus: 99, JTs, QJs, KJs, ATs, AQ T9s, KQ, 88, QTs, 98s, J9s, AJ, KTs 77, 87s, Q9s, T8s, KJ, QJ, JT, 76s, 97s, Axs, 65s 66, AT, 55, 86s, KT, QT, 54s, K9s, J8s, 75s However, you should not call a raise in front of you with these.

If you are in late-position, you can play the following hands as well: 44, J9, 43s, T9, 33, 98, 64s, 22, Kxs, T7s, Q8s 87, 53s, A9, Q9, 76, 42s, 32s, 96s, 85s, J8, J7s, 65, 54, 74s, K9, T8 Players in late-position have the ability to influence the size of the pot much more than the earlier players.