Gamble | Poker Tips
Below we have added poker tips that even seasoned pros should remind themselves of once in a while.
 


Floating the Flop – In Position

No sooner had someone realised that continuation betting was extremely profitable a counter strategy had to be created. In stepped the term floating the flop, but what does it actually mean?

Floating the flop is where you call a flop bet with a weak hand with the intention of bluffing a later street. The smartest way to deploy this part of your arsenal is when you have position on your opponent. This is important because you get to make your decision last on the turn and the river, which increases the chances that your flop float will be successful.

In order to maximise your chances of successfully floating the flop then you need to consider the following criteria. Firstly, you need to believe that your opponent is c betting with a fairly wide range. Secondly, you need a good flop, but what is a good flop for a float? Basically, you are looking for the type of flop that is likely to have missed your opponents hole cards based on his opening range. A flop like 863r for example would be a flop that would likely miss your opponent’s range but does hit your cold calling range. Thirdly, you really would like to have some suck out equity in your hand, just in case your opponent continues with his aggressive approach on the turn.

In the 863r example a good hand to float would be KJhh if there were one heart on the flop. If a second heart, jack or king comes on the turn it allows you to continue to apply pressure and your opponent may well have to surrender his hand.

Contributed by online gaming writer Alex Corcoran, she writes for a number of online poker blogs and bingo sites after she has reviewed all strategies and options for online gaming products.
Below we have added these 10 useful tips to better your poker skill and increase your profits.

1. Pay Attention to the Cards on the Table

Once you begin playing Poker you should not only take note of your cards but also to look at what is happening on the table. When playing Texas Hold'em, work out what the best possible hand would be to fit the flop. Ensure you recognize a flush & straight possibilities. When playing 7-card stud, look out at what is displayed & what players have folded.
2. Do not Call at the End of a Hand to "Keep Someone Honest"

Many players will look at their opponents final bet, look at the hand, & say "I know you've got me, but I have to keep you honest," while they are throwing in a final call. You should rather make sure a player really has the hand by gaining information on how the players play so that you know whether he is bluffing or not before giving him another pile of your cash.
3. Never Play Drunk

When you play Poker you should never play while drunk as it makes you less sharp and play recklessly causing you to lose a whole lot of money. It is ok to drink while playing with your friends and playing for low stakes but definitely not when playing for high stakes at a casino.

4. Don't Stay in a Hand Just Because You're Already In It

One of the mistakes players make is to think that seen as you have spent so much money in the pot already that you have to stay in it now as you have invested so much thus far. Nope. You don't win a pot according to how much you have added to it. The money you have already added to the pot is no longer yours, and you can't claim it back by playing a hand all the way.

5. Don't Play Every Hand / Do Fold More

Beginner poker players always make the mistake of playing too many hands. When playing poker for the first couple times all you want to do is play poker which in the end causes you to stay in "bad" hands just for the sake of playing. The more you play does not mean your chance of winning increases. If you are playing poker and see that you are staying in too many hands, you then need to upgrade your starting hand requirements.

6. Do not Bluff Just For Bluffing's Sake

Many beginner poker players understand that bluffing is a part of poker, but not exactly how. No rule states that you have to bluff during a poker game, but players do feel that they haven't played unless they have bluffed. A bluff doesn't work in all situations and also depends on the person you are playing against. It is always better to not bluff at all than to bluff "just to bluff."
7. Do not Play at too High Limits
Players tend to move up to a higher limit game as they feel like they've been winning on a continuous basis at a lower lever and feel ready to move up. Some bad reasons include the queue to the higher limits are shorter than queues to lower limits, or you feel the need to show off to people. Do not play with money that you use for everyday things and wont be able to survive the rest of the month without that money.

8. Pay Attention to your opponents

Pay attention to your opponents, even when you're not in the hand. Once you know when they raise or has a poker tell when he bluffs you will be able to recognize it the next time it happens. Once you know for instance that player 3 always folds to a re-raise on a river, that's when you can bluff & steal a pot.
9. Choose the Right Game for Your Skill Level & Bankroll

You shouldn't jump into a higher stake game just because you have won at a lower stake because with higher stakes come more skilled players. Its good to be one of the better players of the table so if you are making tons of money at the lower tables then why move, you are winning anyway's aren't you? One big night's win won't last long at a high-stakes game anyway's.

10. Never Play When you are Angry, Upset, or in a Bad Mood
You should never play in order to lift your spirits as it will only make it worse if you lose. You will also not play at your best when you have so many things distracting and bothering you. Rather play when you have a clear head and are calm as other players may sense your tension and take advantage of that.

More Poker Articles:

What is Tournament Poker?
 

Links | Disclaimer

Last Updated 7 February 2012

Gamble 711 Supports Responsible Gambling. No Under Age Gambling Permitted, Players Must Be 18 Years Or Older, Under Age Gambling Is A Criminal Offence!

Gamble 711 | Poker Tips