Fundamental Poker Strategy

Before diving into advanced tactics, master these essential concepts to play poker games successfully:

1. Starting Hand Selection

Playing tight (fewer hands) is crucial for beginners. Only play strong starting hands:

• Premium Hands: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK (suited or unsuited)
• Strong Hands: 10-10, 9-9, AQ, AJ, KQ suited
• Playable Hands: 8-8, 7-7, A-10, KJ, suited connectors
• Position Matters: Play tighter in early position, more hands in late position

2. Position is Power

Your position at the table is one of the most important factors in poker games:

• Early Position: Play only premium hands
• Middle Position: Expand your range slightly
• Late Position (Button, Cutoff): Most profitable position - play more hands
• Blinds: Forced bets, most difficult position to play from

3. Aggression Wins Games

Aggressive play is more profitable than passive play in poker games:

• Bet and raise more often than calling
• Put pressure on opponents to make difficult decisions
• Two ways to win: best hand or opponent folds
• Don't be afraid to continuation bet after raising pre-flop

Pre-Flop Strategy

Opening Ranges by Position

Learn which hands to play from each position:

3-Betting Strategy

Re-raising (3-betting) is a powerful weapon in poker games:

• For Value: AA-JJ, AK against aggressive opponents
• As a Bluff: Suited connectors, Axs against late position raisers
• Size: 3x their raise in position, 4x out of position

Post-Flop Strategy

Continuation Betting

After raising pre-flop, follow through with a bet on the flop:

• C-bet 60-70% of flops when you raised pre-flop
• Bet more on dry boards (few draws), less on wet boards (many draws)
• Size: 50-75% of pot in most situations
• Don't c-bet into multiple opponents without a strong hand

Reading Board Texture

Adjust your strategy based on the flop texture:

• Dry Boards: (K-7-2 rainbow) - Easy to c-bet, few draws
• Wet Boards: (9-8-7 two-suited) - Dangerous, many drawing hands
• Monotone Boards: (All same suit) - Proceed with caution
• Paired Boards: (Q-Q-5) - Check more often with weak hands

Playing Draws

How to play drawing hands in poker games:

• Semi-Bluff: Bet/raise with flush draws and straight draws
• Pot Odds: Calculate if calling is profitable based on odds
• Implied Odds: Consider potential future winnings
• 9-4-2 Rule: Outs x4 on flop, x2 on turn for % to hit

Advanced Concepts

Pot Odds and Equity

Mathematical foundations for profitable play in poker games:

• Pot Odds: Ratio of pot size to bet you must call
• Example: £50 pot, £10 to call = 5:1 pot odds (need 16.7% equity)
• Hand Equity: Your chance to win the pot
• Rule: Call when equity is higher than pot odds require

Bluffing Strategy

When and how to bluff effectively:

• Bluff in position more often
• Choose bluff spots where your story makes sense
• Bluff against thinking opponents, not calling stations
• Bluff frequency: 30-40% of time in most spots
• Pick hands with blockers (you hold cards opponent might have)

Hand Reading

Put opponents on a range of hands:

• Start with pre-flop range based on position
• Narrow range based on each action (bet, call, raise, check)
• Consider opponent's tendencies and playing style
• Look for betting patterns and timing tells online

Tournament Strategy

Early Stage

• Play tight and build your stack gradually
• Avoid big confrontations without premium hands
• Focus on chip accumulation, not survival

Middle Stage

• Increase aggression as blinds rise
• Steal blinds and antes more frequently
• Be aware of stack sizes (yours and opponents')

Bubble and Final Table

• Bubble: Pressure medium stacks trying to cash
• Short Stack: Push/fold strategy with 10-15 big blinds
• Big Stack: Apply maximum pressure, but don't spew chips
• ICM Considerations: Tournament chips worth less than cash value

Bankroll Management

Essential for long-term success when you play poker games:

• Cash Games: Have 20-30 buy-ins for your stake
• Tournaments: Have 50-100 buy-ins for your level
• Move Down: Drop stakes if bankroll falls below minimum
• Move Up: Only when you have proper roll and win rate
• Never Play Scared Money: Don't play above your comfort level

Mental Game Tips

• Tilt Control: Take breaks when frustrated or angry
• Stay Focused: Eliminate distractions during play
• Review Sessions: Analyze your play afterward
• Accept Variance: Bad beats are part of poker games
• Continuous Learning: Study poker strategy regularly
• Table Selection: Choose tables with weaker players