Winning Texas Hold Em - Dangerous Waters
No-limit Texas Hold 'Em is here to stay.
More and more players are sitting down at the tables these days, and every one of them thinks they're the next Gus Hansen.
In reality, playing like Gus is likely to send you home mumbling right quickly; it takes a lot of experience to be able to handle those tough situations that he puts himself in.
Most poker books talk a lot about starting standards.
When you're still getting your feet wet, good starting hands should remain an integral part of your strategy.
However, playing well before the flop is only a part of the equation.
After the flop the pot gets bigger; therefore your mathematical mistakes have a good chance to be much greater.
Here are a few examples of some dangerous flops.
1.
Suited flops.
It's never boring when you hold the black AA and get a flop with three hearts on it.
Not only could someone already have you beat, you have almost no chance to improve your hand, either.
In addition, anyone with even the lowly 2 of hearts has almost a 35% chance of winning by the river.
Keeping the pot small here is never a bad idea.
By waiting until the turn to throw some chips around, you'll be able to staunch the bleeding when your opponent already has you beat - and when he doesn't, your winning chances improve all the more if a safe card comes.
2.
Coordinated Flops.
A coordinated flop refers to those flops with three consecutive cards, such as 9TJ or 678.
These flops can be as tricky as flush flops, although fewer players will try to bluff at coordinated flops.
Still, caution should be the word.
Don't be afraid to take a stab against few opponents, but if there are a few players still in you would be wise to keep the pot small - even with something as strong as a set.
KQ already has you crushed, and since many players play face cards, it's likely someone has a decent straight draw.
Waiting for the turn helps to limit your losses, and may entice someone to bet a weaker hand.
3.
Paired Flops.
These flops can be tricky against certain opponents.
If you have AK and the flop comes 55A, you might be tempted to start counting the chips.
However, these types of boards can be trouble and very costly for a big starting hand.
Just because you raised pre-flop doesn't mean a tricky player didn't call with a 5 in his hand.
If you face heavy resistance in this type of situation it might be prudent to back off.
Checking a flop like this also poses little danger; if you're ahead you are very likely to stay that way, but if you're not you save some chips.
Just because you start with good hands doesn't mean you'll win.
Keep an eye out for danger to avoid being trapped.
More and more players are sitting down at the tables these days, and every one of them thinks they're the next Gus Hansen.
In reality, playing like Gus is likely to send you home mumbling right quickly; it takes a lot of experience to be able to handle those tough situations that he puts himself in.
Most poker books talk a lot about starting standards.
When you're still getting your feet wet, good starting hands should remain an integral part of your strategy.
However, playing well before the flop is only a part of the equation.
After the flop the pot gets bigger; therefore your mathematical mistakes have a good chance to be much greater.
Here are a few examples of some dangerous flops.
1.
Suited flops.
It's never boring when you hold the black AA and get a flop with three hearts on it.
Not only could someone already have you beat, you have almost no chance to improve your hand, either.
In addition, anyone with even the lowly 2 of hearts has almost a 35% chance of winning by the river.
Keeping the pot small here is never a bad idea.
By waiting until the turn to throw some chips around, you'll be able to staunch the bleeding when your opponent already has you beat - and when he doesn't, your winning chances improve all the more if a safe card comes.
2.
Coordinated Flops.
A coordinated flop refers to those flops with three consecutive cards, such as 9TJ or 678.
These flops can be as tricky as flush flops, although fewer players will try to bluff at coordinated flops.
Still, caution should be the word.
Don't be afraid to take a stab against few opponents, but if there are a few players still in you would be wise to keep the pot small - even with something as strong as a set.
KQ already has you crushed, and since many players play face cards, it's likely someone has a decent straight draw.
Waiting for the turn helps to limit your losses, and may entice someone to bet a weaker hand.
3.
Paired Flops.
These flops can be tricky against certain opponents.
If you have AK and the flop comes 55A, you might be tempted to start counting the chips.
However, these types of boards can be trouble and very costly for a big starting hand.
Just because you raised pre-flop doesn't mean a tricky player didn't call with a 5 in his hand.
If you face heavy resistance in this type of situation it might be prudent to back off.
Checking a flop like this also poses little danger; if you're ahead you are very likely to stay that way, but if you're not you save some chips.
Just because you start with good hands doesn't mean you'll win.
Keep an eye out for danger to avoid being trapped.
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