To start this article and in my opinion an absolute shocker of a mistake to make when playing in a poker contest is "checking it down" when an opponent goes all in- purely with the purpose to go up in the cash of a free poker tournament.
Now I suppose in some situations it is fine. For instance if there is not much money in the main pot, or there is no raise-equity in making a bet. But I simply hate the play of checking it down just for the sake of moving up in the money. My personal opinion is it takes away from your chance to win the pot. You also can let the other opponents catch up to you, when they would have obviously folded to a bet. It is a much safer play and stronger play to bet instead of check if u have the hand. This way u wont loose any more than u have too.
The following part of this article will illustrate the significance of online free poker tournament bankroll skills.
It's extremely effortless to be out of your entire budget by not having the basic bankroll supervision experience. I have found that Chris "Jesus" Ferguson's methods work fairly well in practice. For this method, you can only purchase into multi table poker competitions for no more than two percent or your total bankroll and Sit and Go poker games for five percent of your full amount.
At NoPayPOKER we recommend for money competitions you mustn't put in more than three percent of your entire amount though, Ferguson believes five percent is considered ok. So it comes down to your stance to risk at this stage, it's a good idea to find your risk tolerance at the online poker sites.
This is very important because good bankroll management is the key to success in online poker. It is also very important to move down in stakes if you go on a bad losing streak. This is problem the hardest thing you can try to do. Moving down in stakes is even more important than keeping a good roll management technique in mind.
Showing posts with label free poker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free poker. Show all posts
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
A Novices Guide to Free Poker Limit Hold-em
Limit hold'em poker is a great game and usually the first to be picked up by players after no limit free poker. The rule's are all the same except in the way betting is carried out. The limit is the equal to the big blind and you can not bet over that limit so the only way to get it higher is to check in the first round of betting in early positions and bet in the later positions. Also a player may want to broaden his selection of playable hands quite considerably depending on their current style of play.
The basic's are pretty much the same with three simple rules that are bet, bet, and bet. Pre-flop you want to bet the pot as much as you can with your big hands and call the minimum with most everything from low suited connecters on up in the later positions. After the flop you want to bet with any made hands or draws equal to or greater then a flush draw taking the strength of the finishing hand into consideration.
The key design is to simply carry the stakes up to a large extent as you can at any time you believe you could possibly win the round. There are many advantages and disadvantages of limit hold-em and one which is viewed as both is the idea of continuous gambling due to both you and the opposition to chase a hand on the river. Your opponent will acquire the same split as you when the time is right. With any luck this guide will assist your mentality of 'have a go'. The best place to put the theory into practice is on the free poker sites- remember play hard and have fun!
The basic's are pretty much the same with three simple rules that are bet, bet, and bet. Pre-flop you want to bet the pot as much as you can with your big hands and call the minimum with most everything from low suited connecters on up in the later positions. After the flop you want to bet with any made hands or draws equal to or greater then a flush draw taking the strength of the finishing hand into consideration.
The key design is to simply carry the stakes up to a large extent as you can at any time you believe you could possibly win the round. There are many advantages and disadvantages of limit hold-em and one which is viewed as both is the idea of continuous gambling due to both you and the opposition to chase a hand on the river. Your opponent will acquire the same split as you when the time is right. With any luck this guide will assist your mentality of 'have a go'. The best place to put the theory into practice is on the free poker sites- remember play hard and have fun!
Monday, 5 April 2010
Free Poker Guide to Setting up Private Games
Private poker games have been around since the beginning of poker but in today's world with many households containing two career oriented adults with children it's very difficult to schedule a time for a game with friends.
In an advancing technological world there are solutions out there. The rapid spread of poker played over the internet including many free poker sites now offer the opportunity for you to set up your own private games. These games are slightly different to the ones you may have previously experienced however you will still have the choice of stakes, starting chips and blinds.
While Texas Holdem is one of the most popular online games Omaha is now making a big come back and on many sites both are available in the private games.
The majority of internet games only have a small opportunity to join so its good practice to be organised and invite all of the players well in advance. Not all sites have the option of slotted start times so shop about first.
Another good tip on the organisational front is to find how easy the game is to find and access once you have set it up. Some of the bigger sites make this extremely difficult- once you have found a site you can use and find, be sure to spread the word.
At this point I should also make the obvious clear that as your playing over the internet you must obey the 'house rules' of the hosting site. Some sites have bans on bad language and also remember anyone has the ability to try and join your game or see it.
After locating a site that offers the type of game and the features you want, you will find both money and free poker sites that do all you need to do is schedule a time that your friends can be online, make the game and begin playing.
In an advancing technological world there are solutions out there. The rapid spread of poker played over the internet including many free poker sites now offer the opportunity for you to set up your own private games. These games are slightly different to the ones you may have previously experienced however you will still have the choice of stakes, starting chips and blinds.
While Texas Holdem is one of the most popular online games Omaha is now making a big come back and on many sites both are available in the private games.
The majority of internet games only have a small opportunity to join so its good practice to be organised and invite all of the players well in advance. Not all sites have the option of slotted start times so shop about first.
Another good tip on the organisational front is to find how easy the game is to find and access once you have set it up. Some of the bigger sites make this extremely difficult- once you have found a site you can use and find, be sure to spread the word.
At this point I should also make the obvious clear that as your playing over the internet you must obey the 'house rules' of the hosting site. Some sites have bans on bad language and also remember anyone has the ability to try and join your game or see it.
After locating a site that offers the type of game and the features you want, you will find both money and free poker sites that do all you need to do is schedule a time that your friends can be online, make the game and begin playing.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Free Poker Guide to the Slow Play
All poker games from the high stake bright light games for sin city to the free poker games come down to the ability to win cash from small opportunities. The strategy is to attempt to play reasonable in every game possible- sounds almost defeatist, but the truth is you simply can't win every game. One way to achieve this to out bet the opposition and a way of achieving this is through slow play.
The Art of the Slow-play
The slow-play is when you deliberately under bet so as to disguise the strength of your hand and trap your opponent with a weaker hand.
Unlike the bluff bet, the slow-play is effective against strong and weak opponents. Bad opponents simply bet their hand, so if they have something or they are simply on a draw, they are going to pay you off.
When not to Slow-Play
You shouldn't slow play when there is a flush or straight draw on the board. You should only slow play when your opponent has a hand that is not likely to improve enough to beat yours. Suppose the flop is AD-7H-KC and you hold 7D-7C, and you put your opponent on an A or K. It's usually more profitable to bet the hand aggressively on the turn.
If you slow-play the turn, you are sacrificing an opportunity to make money on the turn. The only reason to slow-play here is if your read on your opponents is that they will fold with any bet you make.
If you manage to get quads or a full house don't over play the hand- if the opposition are not strategically sitting right, they don't seem to gamble often on the river, instead they check or call. By slow playing this turn, this type of opposition wont raise or re raise on the river.
As a result continue to gamble on the turn regardless of their development. They will hardly put you on the quads so attempt to get some game on the turn.
How to Represent Your Hand
The obvious assumption is that a big gamble stands for decent cards. This is believed even more so when gambling after the flop. If an ace or king comes to surface on the flop you can represent the same by gambling. You will learn that it's what the opposition believes you have that is almost as important to the cards you are actually holding, especially if you have a relatively poor hand.
So there you have it a fast guide to the slow play. Typically it works better with money games than free poker where you'll find many beginners who don't pick up the nuances and throw all in regardless! But of you find yourself in a free online poker freeroll with real money up for grabs then think about how and when you might apply it.
The Art of the Slow-play
The slow-play is when you deliberately under bet so as to disguise the strength of your hand and trap your opponent with a weaker hand.
Unlike the bluff bet, the slow-play is effective against strong and weak opponents. Bad opponents simply bet their hand, so if they have something or they are simply on a draw, they are going to pay you off.
When not to Slow-Play
You shouldn't slow play when there is a flush or straight draw on the board. You should only slow play when your opponent has a hand that is not likely to improve enough to beat yours. Suppose the flop is AD-7H-KC and you hold 7D-7C, and you put your opponent on an A or K. It's usually more profitable to bet the hand aggressively on the turn.
If you slow-play the turn, you are sacrificing an opportunity to make money on the turn. The only reason to slow-play here is if your read on your opponents is that they will fold with any bet you make.
If you manage to get quads or a full house don't over play the hand- if the opposition are not strategically sitting right, they don't seem to gamble often on the river, instead they check or call. By slow playing this turn, this type of opposition wont raise or re raise on the river.
As a result continue to gamble on the turn regardless of their development. They will hardly put you on the quads so attempt to get some game on the turn.
How to Represent Your Hand
The obvious assumption is that a big gamble stands for decent cards. This is believed even more so when gambling after the flop. If an ace or king comes to surface on the flop you can represent the same by gambling. You will learn that it's what the opposition believes you have that is almost as important to the cards you are actually holding, especially if you have a relatively poor hand.
So there you have it a fast guide to the slow play. Typically it works better with money games than free poker where you'll find many beginners who don't pick up the nuances and throw all in regardless! But of you find yourself in a free online poker freeroll with real money up for grabs then think about how and when you might apply it.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Free Poker Tournament Position Play Tactics
Your position in a free poker tournament or Sit 'n Go is very important. Depending on where you are, there are certain ways to play and optimise your chances.
Imagine one of your opponents opens, the following 2 call, and the next opponent raises it, than it's impossible for me to come in on a str8. For instance say I call the raise the other opponents following me and could have limped their decent cards. So if I put my checks in to draw at the str8- the following opponent calls and the next moves in and raises the raiser- my str8 would become very doubtful. Remember putting checks into the pot means you have to believe you can go with your cards.
Additionally I'm not in place- and it comes down to being in a bad position as under the gun- 1st to tattletale your hand. The original raiser could go again with a common amount- I could call them- as at this time I don't believe my str8 has the potential to win. I will also get some action from 4 other opponents. When this occurs it will leave the pot at five to one I cant make my str8 although the card draw chances are not five to one that I wont. So in this play I could gamble all my checks and this is where the concealed percentages appear. I know that my str8 will take an opponent down.
Regardless as I'm not able to be open- I don't have a 1/4 in the pot at this stage and therefore I don't see the point risking my check to come in and draw at this probable. I could go in and make it, I may still go bankrupt. In stead of playing all of this speculation- I could just wait a minute and play with a new hand.
However, I would play this hand altogether differently in a limit game. I'd go ahead and call this raise and re-raise, knowing there is a limit on what I could lose. And if I did make it, I'd sure as hell bet that I could, because I don't draw to any hand that I won't bet. If you draw at something, make it, and check it, then you're defeating yourself.
There are general strategies you can use for Hold'em competitions & sit & go tables. Practice makes perfect and the more you practice your style and advance the better you will become. You don't want to learn this trade by parting and potentially loosing your hard earned cash so what better place to learn your trade than playing a free poker tournament.
Imagine one of your opponents opens, the following 2 call, and the next opponent raises it, than it's impossible for me to come in on a str8. For instance say I call the raise the other opponents following me and could have limped their decent cards. So if I put my checks in to draw at the str8- the following opponent calls and the next moves in and raises the raiser- my str8 would become very doubtful. Remember putting checks into the pot means you have to believe you can go with your cards.
Additionally I'm not in place- and it comes down to being in a bad position as under the gun- 1st to tattletale your hand. The original raiser could go again with a common amount- I could call them- as at this time I don't believe my str8 has the potential to win. I will also get some action from 4 other opponents. When this occurs it will leave the pot at five to one I cant make my str8 although the card draw chances are not five to one that I wont. So in this play I could gamble all my checks and this is where the concealed percentages appear. I know that my str8 will take an opponent down.
Regardless as I'm not able to be open- I don't have a 1/4 in the pot at this stage and therefore I don't see the point risking my check to come in and draw at this probable. I could go in and make it, I may still go bankrupt. In stead of playing all of this speculation- I could just wait a minute and play with a new hand.
However, I would play this hand altogether differently in a limit game. I'd go ahead and call this raise and re-raise, knowing there is a limit on what I could lose. And if I did make it, I'd sure as hell bet that I could, because I don't draw to any hand that I won't bet. If you draw at something, make it, and check it, then you're defeating yourself.
There are general strategies you can use for Hold'em competitions & sit & go tables. Practice makes perfect and the more you practice your style and advance the better you will become. You don't want to learn this trade by parting and potentially loosing your hard earned cash so what better place to learn your trade than playing a free poker tournament.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
More Than Just Beginners Luck For Any Novice Free Online Poker Players
After playing free online poker for a week now I have found that patience is the key to consistency. Since my last article I have discovered the wonders of the free-roll. In my opinion the best way to play tournaments is carefully. I have seen countless numbers of people going all in on the first hand and then getting burned, it's crazy!
It goes without saying this puts all but one player into a shallow grave. If you can play conservatively till you find yourself on the top table; you will then be in with a shout of playing more forcefully. Many would be disappointed with some of the cards I have folded with near the beginning of the game, but chances are those same people would not make it to the later stages as often as I do.
My highest Free-roll finish was 4th from 150 which I was proud of being only a beginner. This game made me realise that getting into the paid places is easier than it first appears when everyone goes all in.
Using a step up raise technique I have found continues to work. The most I have won in one hand with this was $75 FreeD in the same hand I got my first straight flush beating a very confident ace high flush that pushed it's owner to go all in.
Mathematics I have found to be incredibly important. Knowing the chances of a flush by the river from two suited cards or the chances of winning from a certain pocket pair. Wising up on your odds will help greatly.
Every game is still a learning curve, and the opponents I pit myself against on my free online poker site are remarkably sociable ensuring win or lose I have a great time.
I know that I will continue to play free poker online for a long time to come and I look forward to perfecting my game as time goes on.
It goes without saying this puts all but one player into a shallow grave. If you can play conservatively till you find yourself on the top table; you will then be in with a shout of playing more forcefully. Many would be disappointed with some of the cards I have folded with near the beginning of the game, but chances are those same people would not make it to the later stages as often as I do.
My highest Free-roll finish was 4th from 150 which I was proud of being only a beginner. This game made me realise that getting into the paid places is easier than it first appears when everyone goes all in.
Using a step up raise technique I have found continues to work. The most I have won in one hand with this was $75 FreeD in the same hand I got my first straight flush beating a very confident ace high flush that pushed it's owner to go all in.
Mathematics I have found to be incredibly important. Knowing the chances of a flush by the river from two suited cards or the chances of winning from a certain pocket pair. Wising up on your odds will help greatly.
Every game is still a learning curve, and the opponents I pit myself against on my free online poker site are remarkably sociable ensuring win or lose I have a great time.
I know that I will continue to play free poker online for a long time to come and I look forward to perfecting my game as time goes on.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Free Poker Online Guide to Understanding Styles of Play and How This Will Win More Games
Playing paid or free poker online is a game of skill, chance with a little luck thrown in for good measure.
As we all know, 52 cards make up a deck and whatever 5 cards are dealt out, one of those will always win. It could be the ultimate hand of a Royal Flush or the lowest possible pair of 2's. In some cases, it could even be A high. That is the great unknown of poker, which cards are going to win for any given hand.
When dealt cards you must first decide whether they are suitable to your style of play. Then the decision is whether to fold, call or raise the big blind.
Every individual player has their own style of playing. Some players will only play face cards, whereas others will play any card given to them. That is a style of play. I know of many players who will play nearly every hand pre-flop as long as the bet is within their comfort zone.
Once the flop is seen, it becomes more interesting and a bigger decision needing to be made. If you are holding 3 4 off suit and the flop shows AKJ, what is the likelihood that you will continue with the hand? I would imagine you would fold, unless it is a check through until the turn card is shown.
No poker player is the same, and its important to remember that you can never bee 100% sure how each player will play a hand. There could very well be someone holding 3 4 offsuit and try to bluff and bet big once the flop is shown. I, for one, would never attempt that with such low cards, but I have seen it happen, it's a great mystery of how others play!
For this reason, it is essential that you study each of your opponents where possible before sitting down with them at a table. You should be able to grasp enough information about their game play to figure out their moves when playing them.
As advantageous as this may be, you are not always going to win every time by adapting this approach. As I stated earlier, any given 5 cards will win a hand and they may very well be holding Q 10 and flopped a straight. But the odds are in your favor to predict certain scenarios after learning others' style of play.
Always be observant, never just assume someone is bluffing, and most important, remember to play your game. Your style of play is ultimately what you must rely on to win in poker so be sure to practice and refine in free poker online freerolls before moving up to cash games.
As we all know, 52 cards make up a deck and whatever 5 cards are dealt out, one of those will always win. It could be the ultimate hand of a Royal Flush or the lowest possible pair of 2's. In some cases, it could even be A high. That is the great unknown of poker, which cards are going to win for any given hand.
When dealt cards you must first decide whether they are suitable to your style of play. Then the decision is whether to fold, call or raise the big blind.
Every individual player has their own style of playing. Some players will only play face cards, whereas others will play any card given to them. That is a style of play. I know of many players who will play nearly every hand pre-flop as long as the bet is within their comfort zone.
Once the flop is seen, it becomes more interesting and a bigger decision needing to be made. If you are holding 3 4 off suit and the flop shows AKJ, what is the likelihood that you will continue with the hand? I would imagine you would fold, unless it is a check through until the turn card is shown.
No poker player is the same, and its important to remember that you can never bee 100% sure how each player will play a hand. There could very well be someone holding 3 4 offsuit and try to bluff and bet big once the flop is shown. I, for one, would never attempt that with such low cards, but I have seen it happen, it's a great mystery of how others play!
For this reason, it is essential that you study each of your opponents where possible before sitting down with them at a table. You should be able to grasp enough information about their game play to figure out their moves when playing them.
As advantageous as this may be, you are not always going to win every time by adapting this approach. As I stated earlier, any given 5 cards will win a hand and they may very well be holding Q 10 and flopped a straight. But the odds are in your favor to predict certain scenarios after learning others' style of play.
Always be observant, never just assume someone is bluffing, and most important, remember to play your game. Your style of play is ultimately what you must rely on to win in poker so be sure to practice and refine in free poker online freerolls before moving up to cash games.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Free Online Poker - Sandbagging, Slow Play and Trapping
A good technique to turn a solid hand in buy-in and free online poker games into a great one is to "sandbag," or in plain language, not disclosing your power until the "Kenny Rogers Right Time."
When the game starts and other players start betting, hold back and keep your cool. Avoid making any raises of any size.
The key is to keep as many players as possible in the game for as long as possible and then "kill" them with an "all-in" at the critical time.
Sandbagging is also known as 'trapping' or 'slow play', whereas in my opinion you don't need to play too slow, just hide your hand well.
This technique works well when another player has good cards, too. That player will do the betting for you and you will remain "hidden" until you are ready to slam them with an allin.
Many times by doing this you get into a nutz situation as the flop, turn, and river fill up your hand.
I have found its much easier when playing online poker rather than face to face poker as its easier to hide your expression.
In internet paid and free online poker games it is much easier because no one can really "see" you. Sandbagging also gives you the option to make economic bets by not blowing a raise and ultimately losing to someone who hits big on the turn or river.
So, the key to being good at sandbagging when playing free online poker, is to entice as many players as possible into the pot and then jump all-in at the crucial time to take the pot. Good luck in giving it a go and I hope this tip serves you well.
I very much hope my tips on the sandbagging techniques help you in your poker play and look forward to seeing you on the poker tables soon.
When the game starts and other players start betting, hold back and keep your cool. Avoid making any raises of any size.
The key is to keep as many players as possible in the game for as long as possible and then "kill" them with an "all-in" at the critical time.
Sandbagging is also known as 'trapping' or 'slow play', whereas in my opinion you don't need to play too slow, just hide your hand well.
This technique works well when another player has good cards, too. That player will do the betting for you and you will remain "hidden" until you are ready to slam them with an allin.
Many times by doing this you get into a nutz situation as the flop, turn, and river fill up your hand.
I have found its much easier when playing online poker rather than face to face poker as its easier to hide your expression.
In internet paid and free online poker games it is much easier because no one can really "see" you. Sandbagging also gives you the option to make economic bets by not blowing a raise and ultimately losing to someone who hits big on the turn or river.
So, the key to being good at sandbagging when playing free online poker, is to entice as many players as possible into the pot and then jump all-in at the crucial time to take the pot. Good luck in giving it a go and I hope this tip serves you well.
I very much hope my tips on the sandbagging techniques help you in your poker play and look forward to seeing you on the poker tables soon.
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