Poker Instructions » Strategy

Fixed Limit – Position

Teacher — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:08:14 +0000

Proper play of position is an imperative concept to grasp in Fixed Limit Texas Holdem. We want to save our “speculating” for later position and while in the unraised blinds, while playing only stronger hands from early position.

Generally speaking, we start with the highest of standards the earlier we act. As we drift into later position, we may relax our standards slightly – while turning up the aggression in our preflop activity. Position gives us the advantage of obtaining information before having to make a decision. For example, we would not put our money in with a hand such as seven – eight suited if we knew that the players sitting in middle position are going to two-bet, three-bet and cap, would we? By sitting in later position, we see the raise, reraise and cap, so we can safely throw away our speculative hands in situations such as these.

Hands to raise or limp from early position

We can safely raise with hands from the superior hand grouping. These are hands such as Aces, Kings, Queens, Ace King (suited or unsuited), as well as Ace Queen Suited. These hands are of high enough quality that they can withstand the reraise, and frankly – these hands love to be reraised! Additionally, we can call or raise with middle pocket pairs, as well as the upper end of our top pair hands, such as Ace – Jack suited, as well as King-Queen. All other hands should be folded from early position before the flop.

Hands to raise or limp from middle position

From middle position, it is acceptable to call or raise with the same standards as early position hands, however, we may also add into the mix the entire selection of top pair hands, additionally including hands such as King Jack suited, as well as hands like Queen Jack Suited and Jack Ten suited. Additionally, any pocket pair is safe to enter the pot from middle position, providing the pot has not yet been raised (unless a caller or two has also entered the pot AFTER the raise).

Hands to raise or limp from Late Position

From late position, any playable hand will do. However, if the pot has been two or three bet preflop, it is imperative that hands such as Ace Five be discarded, as these hands are often trap hands, which means if you flop an ace, you are often second best on the flop. Generally, you want to raise from late position, especially in instances where action folds around to you, or when players have failed to raise. The aggression from late position can be carried on to the flop with the intention of terminating the hand and taking down the pot.

Playable hands from the Blinds

From the blinds, it is best to look for logical reasons to fold, as you will be out of position for the remaining portion of the hand. The small blind should play around 20 to 25% of the time at most, while the big blind should play around 30-35% of the time when facing a raise. That being said, we are typically looking to play only the best of hands from the blinds.

Success in Texas Holdem starts with preflop discipline. Understanding and respecting position before the flop is the cornerstone of preflop discipline. Possessing standards based on position will keep you out of trouble later as the hand progresses, and will appropriately assist you in growing your bankroll.

Fixed Limit – Preflop Strategy

Teacher — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:54:00 +0000

When playing Fixed Limit Holdem, not just any old cards will do. Before the flop, one must maintain discipline in his starting hand strategy. For basic Fixed Limit Holdem preflop strategy, it is important to understand which hands are playable, as well as which hands are not playable. The reality is not every hand is playable. In fact, when playing Fixed Limit Texas Holdem, one is correct in only playing roughly 26 to 30% of all starting hands, generally. It is imperative to a fixed limit player’s long-term success that he displays patience, and great judgment when determining what hands to play, as well as which hands to discard.

Preflop Strategy – What hands to Play

When we play Fixed Limit Holdem, the first thing to do is create a universe of playable hands. We wish to create a list of hands that have the characteristics of a potential winner. Understand that this list of starting hands is not a list of “always play” poker hands, but instead a universe of sometimes, or often acceptable and effective starting hands. In addition to the hands that are playable, we will look at the characteristics of such starting hands, which will come in handy for later discussions both before and after the flop in Fixed Limit Holdem.

Superior Starting Hands

The first group of hands we will commit to playing in Fixed Limit Holdem are the hands that are considered powerful, or superior starting hands. Naturally, pocket Aces, as well as pocket Kings and pocket Queens fall into the universe of powerful hands. Additionally, hands such as Ace King suited or unsuited, as well as Ace Queen (containing the same suit) prove to be powerful hands to start these hands should be raised most all of the time and from virtually any position in the hand preflop. Typically, a hand of this nature will be the strongest hand before the flop, where the pot building should begin.

Hands with Top Pair Potential

The second group of hands we wish to define in our playable universe is the hands that make good “top pair” hands. This means that when these hands make top pair, they typically make the best hand. Hands such as Ace-Queen not suited, Ace-Jack, Ace-Ten, as well as King-Jack fall into this category. These hands can expect to be the best hand when they flop top pair. Additionally, pocket pairs – such as Jacks, and tens can be placed into this category of Fixed Limit Holdem starting hands that hold up well as top pair hands. Hands of this nature should be usually played from earlier preflop positions varying between raising and limping. These hands should almost always play from the later position in an aggressive manner.

Medium Pocket Pairs

Pocket Pairs such as Nines, Eights and Sevens are often playable, but carry additional risk and should not be over-played. When we overplay a hand, we play it in a manner where we believe the hand is far stronger than it truly is. These hands are playable most of the time from most any position and can be raised or limped preflop from late position, or played passively from early position before the flop most of the time.

Suited Aces

Suited aces are best played from later position, but do not fair well against players raising from early position, as these hands can often turn into “trap hands,” which are hands that flop top pair but are dominated.

Optimistic Hands

Optimistic Hands such as small and medium suited connectors are sometimes ideal to play in Fixed Limit Holdem. These hands are hands such as seven-eight suited, as well as the trusty same suit four-five are speculative in nature, and sometimes playable. When playing optimistic hands, keep in mind we are being hopeful with these hands. Low pocket pairs such as pocket fives are also included in the universe of optimistic hands, as they typically require a set to win.

Hands that are optimistic in nature do not possess power before the flop, but have characteristics that can pay substantial dividends after the flop occasionally. Hands of this nature should be used in moderation, when circumstances dictate doing so – such as when in late position, or in the unraised blind. Optimistic hands should rarely play from early position, whereas they play best folded more often than not.

Summary

While there are many styles of poker, there is no one magic formula that constitutes when or how to play each hand of poker, there are logical methodologies for determining what hands to play, and which to discard. Optimistic hands are rarely profitable and should be played in late position, typically when a big pot is brewing.

Superior starting hands may be played from any position and prefer big pots, thus one is best raising when obtaining a superior hand. Medium pocket pairs and hands with top pair potential are hands that should vary in their play depending mainly on position, most often choosing to either raise or fold. By creating a universe of hands we are comfortable starting out with in Fixed Limit Holdem, we begin reducing the times we play hands that are not profitable.

Fixed Limit – Strategy on the Flop

Teacher — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:58:29 +0000

By first narrowing down the universe of playable hands to 28-30% of all starting hands, we are able to reduce the possibility of future mistakes. However, having preflop strategy alone will not guarantee long-term success in Fixed Limit Holdem. One must demonstrate prudent decision making from the flop and beyond. Such a discipline requires effectively thinking about a hand on the flop. When taking a flop in Fixed Limit Texas Holdem, one should first think of the characteristics of their starting hand, where we compare our hand to the board. This comparison assists us in determining whether to continue in the hand, as well as how to proceed in the best and most effective manner possible.

What to Expect on the Flop

When the flop occurs, you can expect one of the following scenarios to occur:

First, the board could totally miss us. Supposing we entered the pot preflop with a medium pocket pair (pocket eights, for example). The board delivers overcards such as Ace – Nine – Jack. The characteristics of our middle pocket pair suggest we are beat and should not continue. Thus, we fold to the first sign of pressure.

The second possibility on the flop is that we flop a “second best hand,” such as middle pair on a board of King – Jack – Seven while holding a hand like Ace – Jack. Beginning poker players make the mistake of going to far with this hand on this particular board. If action checks to you, you may bet – however, look to abandon ship at the first sign of resistance – especially in a hand where many people saw the flop.

Thirdly, it is possible you flop the best hand, such as a flop of Seven – Ten – Two while holding pocket Jacks, or a hand like Ace Ten. You have the best hand now, but are somewhat vulnerable. The best course of action is to be the aggressor and bet, or raise in an attempt to narrow down the field and possibly take down the pot by terminating action with your aggression.

The fourth possibility is that you flop a set, or even a straight. When in this situation – your hand is not terribly vulnerable; however, you do not want to make the error of failing to build a pot. We wish to build big pots with big hands while leaving the small pots for small hands. When action comes to you, bet out. If players have already done you the favor and you are facing a two bet, you may alternate between calling and three betting.

Finally, you may have flopped a drawing hand, such as a four to a flush (Kh-Qh in the hole on a board of Ah – 6h – 9d). For drawing hands such as these, it is important to assess your options by counting your outs, as well as comparing your outs to the pot odds.

Basic Calculation of Outs on the Flop To determine the number of cards that will improve our hand (known as outs), we must add up the number of cards that will help us, being certain to not double count cards. For example, suppose we have Ace-King on a board of King – two – three. It makes sense we have the best hand. If we did not, however – we would need to count our outs to determine how many cards improve us to best hand. Suppose we know our opposing player holds 2-3, giving him two pair. We need either an Ace or a King to improve to best hand. There are three Aces that we have not yet seen, as well as two kings (we hold one king in our hand, and one has occurred on the flop). This gives us five outs.

Using the same logic, if we have a flush draw (meaning there are four cards between using our hole cards and the board that are of the same suit), we generally have nine outs, as there are nine suited cards left in the deck that may help us. An open-ended presents eight outs, while a gut-shot straight draw presents four outs.

If we hold a pocket pair, we have two outs to make a set. If we have a pair and a flush draw, we have nine outs from the flush, as well as two outs from the paired card and three outs from the non-paired card – giving us fourteen outs.

Turning Outs into Odds on the Flop Identifying and counting outs in poker is of importance. When translating outs into odds of hitting our draws or getting the card we are trying to hit, it is best that the basic odds of successfully drawing from the flop on be memorized.

The odds of making a flush by the river are roughly 2 to 1 on the flop.

The chances of making a straight by the river is about 2.25 to 1 if open ended, while about 5 to 1 if you have a gut shot straight draw.

If you have a pocket pair on the flop, the chances of hitting a set by the river are roughly 11 to 1.

The odds of making a pair when you have two unpaired cards that are overcards to the board (such as A-K on a board of 5-9-3) are roughly 3 to 1.

The keys to successful flop play is to play the flop is play when you hit, trying to build a pot, while folding when you miss the flop. Additionally, drawing hands should proceed with caution as pot odds deem such action appropriate.

Fixed Limit – Strategy on the Turn

Teacher — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:53:40 +0000

The turn transitions the Fixed Limit Holdem game from the small betting round to the big betting round, as the bet size doubles in size. The doubling of the bet on the turn in Fixed Limit Texas Holdem presents a situation where the odds to draw are not as rewarding as they were on the flop. Moreover, with one card to come, those people who have not yet completed their draws see the chance of success decrease – as there is one card remaining.

With that in mind, often one can bet out on the turn from early position, or raise from late position to thin the field or to take down the pot when either a scare card falls (the board pairs or a draw completes, for example), or when a card that is not relevant to the logical board falls, such as a two of diamonds on a board of King hearts, Jack clubs, Eight spades. Because there is only one card left, and the turn is the start of the big bet round, it is frequent that playing aggressively on the turn can result in folding the opposition.

Calculating Probability and Odds on the Turn

With the turn card out, we have one card to go. This means that we have to calculate based on one, not two cards. To determine probability on the turn, we multiply the number of outs by two. So, in the case of the flush draw, we have a probability of improving to a flush of 18%, as the flush draw has nine outs, which we multiply by two.

To determine the odds of hitting our flush with one card to go, we must again go through the exercise of dividing 100 by the percentage (18%), which are approximately 5. We again subtract one, and know the odds of hitting our flush with one card to go are roughly 4 to 1. If the pot gives us better than 4 to 1 odds, we are correct in continuing by betting, raising, or calling as we see fit – mathematically speaking.

In fact, with one card to come, here are the odds for some of the more common draws hitting on the river, which you are best served committing to memory:

The odds of rivering your flush you have four parts to a flush is roughly 4 to 1.

Rivering an open-ended straight, when on an open-ended draw is roughly 5 to 1.

A four outer, such as when on a gut shot straight draw is 11-1 with one card to go.

Hitting a set on the river when holding a pocket pair gives you 22 to 1 odds.

Calculating Pot Odds in on the Turn Fixed Limit Holdem

Before the turn card, we recall these bets are small bets, as the bets double in size come the river. The turn card introduces the big bet, which is double in size of those from the previous betting rounds. To adjust our bet counting of the pot, simply divide the number of bets by two when the turn card comes, as this will correctly provide you with the size of bets relative to the betting round. If the pot contained 12 bets on the flop, and the turn card comes out, the pot now contains six bets. Now, when the player to our left bets into us, we have 7 to 1 odds to call. If we are on our flush draw, we know that we have roughly a 4 to 1 chance to hit our flush with one card to go. 7 to 1 pays better than our 4 to 1 probability, so we can profitably continue in the hand.

How to Proceed on the Turn

Generally, because we have superior starting hand selection, we typically find ourselves in control of the pot – as the bettor, not the caller. If in position and action has checked to us, we are often correct checking behind to take a free river card if we are still drawing. If we are ahead in the hand, we are usually best betting or raising so to get money into the pot. When facing a bet, if hitting our draw results in the best or nearly the best hand, we are well-suited calling or raising. Regardless of the situation, however, we should always respect the pot odds as they compare to the odds of completing our draw on the river when we are not yet there.

Fixed Limit – Strategy on the River

Teacher — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:54:57 +0000

When playing the river of a Fixed Limit Texas Holdem game, all the cards are out. The hand that is ahead is ahead, and those behind cannot catch up. The river gives a player the opportunity to extract value, as well as to knock weaker players off hands where their draw missed.

In typical Fixed Limit Holdem games, the field narrows as we progress through the flop and turn. The river typically ends up two, three and four handed.

Aggressive River Play

Many players have come this far chasing a draw. With this in mind, it makes sense we will see players who have missed their flush draws, as well as players holding hands such as pocket fours hoping to make a set. Additionally, players who have flopped top or middle pair will be involved in the hand on the river from time to time. Because we have a superior starting hand discipline than most players, we will often be ahead of our opposition when we get this far in the hand. To take advantage of this, we will often bet or raise on the river.

Mistakes of Folding

The bet will serve to knock weaker players who were drawing off their hands when they miss their draws. Additionally, betting the river when we have top pair will extract value from players who have top pair with a kicker inferior to ours.

Thinking into the future, if players notice our betting the turn and then betting the river, they will begin realizing that continuing in the hand while drawing is more costly than meets the eye. The biggest mistake players make on the river is folding. When rewinding to the turn, keep in mind that if you are drawing to a hand and miss, you will still usually have to call on the river. That being said, your speculative or optimistic hands should have been released by the turn, so hopefully you are not chasing a flush with a speculative seven – eight of clubs without also having either a straight draw or a pair to boot.

With that in mind, many a player chase flushes to the river holding seven – eight of clubs while absent a pair or straight draw to boot. Often these players will be forced to either call a bet with a hand that is clearly a loser, or they will be forced to fold when they are bet into. Because of these tendencies, combined with the fact that you will not fall into this category, you should almost always bet on the river. By doing so, you will extract value from other players possessing starting hand discipline and drawing discipline inferior to yours by causing them to fold or call with lesser hands.

By taking the river card, you plan to play to the end. The time to fold is long since passed, so be certain you are prepared to call, bet or raise when approaching the river.