Smack Dog Poker Articles

Pay Attention:
Watch who's playing in an aggressive or loose way and who's playing tight, try to play the loose players and avoid the tight players, unless you've got a strong hand. This is especially important when playing at internet poker rooms such as Fortune Poker. While the majority of players at Fortune Poker play very loose and will chase flush and straight draws no matter how much you bet. On occassion you will run into another player who is as equally skilled as you or better!

Watch the chips:
Always be aware of everyone's chip count. Know who has more chips than you and play more carefully against them - a mistake could knock you out. It's usually better to play pots with players who have fewer chips than you do. This enables you to really put the pressure on players. Especially those who are looking to get some cheap or free cards chasing their draws. It makes a persons alot more difficult if they have to call a bet worth their entire stack if they are looking to make their hand on a draw.

No match:
If your cards don't match any of the community cards, throw your hand away when someone else bets.
Ace in the hand Don't play every time you have an ace in your hand. However, play an ace if it's accompanied by a card of the same suit or by a 10 or higher or in some cases 7 or higher. There are many instances where having cards such as Ace Three will be the death of you. Only play these ace, rag hands if you can get in cheap or are confident you are playing a lower pair than aces. Many times you may flop a pair of three's in this case, but then that more than likely just gives you low pair on the board.

Hands to stay with before the flop:
Play with pairs (7-7, 9-9), two face cards (K-Q, Q-J), or hands that can make both a straight and a flush (8-9, 6-7 of the same suit). Be patient and fold other hands, unless you're in the blind.You must be disciplined when playing low pairs. If you are going to call a big preflop bet with pocket 2's and you miss, you must be able to lay the hand down. Trying to make your set to the turn and river will bite you more times then not. Even if you are able to make your set at this point, other players may have made larger hands by seeing the additional cards.

Good hand? Bet strong:
In no-limit Texas Hold'em, players can bet all of their chips at any time, so bet aggressively when you have a good hand. This can be done most of the time when playing no limit. This however, should not be done all the time. You must mix up your play in order to keep your opponent on their toes.

Watch and wait:
Play fewer hands when you're one of the first players to act, because you'll be 'out of position' and vulnerable to raises from the remaining players. From early position look at it from this stand point. If you want to play your hand you are going to be better off raising from early position then just trying to limp in. This gives other player the perception that you may have a strong hand, which may setup a bluff later on in the hand. If you simply limp in, this gives off the vibe that you are have a marginal hand and that you are trying to see a cheap flop to make your straight or flush. Also, you are more likely to be raised later in the hand and they may raise so much that it scares you off the hand and you just waisted your bet.

Call their bluff:
If someone raises in a late position (near or on the button), re-raise them a good amount if you are on the blind. Chances are, they don't have a big hand and they're just trying to steal your blinds. This style of play, known as going 'over the top', is probably the strongest play one can make in no-limit Texas Hold'em. This is however dangerous if the player you go over the top on, then comes back over you. You must be able to lay the hand down if you are trying to bluff. Even though you may be "pot committed", if your hand is not as strong as you would like it to be, lay it down.

Be patient:
The biggest mistake most players make is to act too quickly. When you're making an important decision pause to think about how the betting has gone and what your opponent might have. Take your time. Many times players initially look at the board and think that they have the hand locked up. Especially if you are in an intense hand and maybe you just got a big call from someone after the flop when you have the best hand at the time. If the big caller makes a big bet after the turn, you should pause and make sure you still have the best hand. Just don't go on auto-call!