TABLE POSITIONS STRATEGY
When You decide how to play a hand, your table position strategy is a big part of your overall poker game strategy. Your position at a table is probably almost as important as the hands you play. A good starting hand in an early position may actually be worse than a bad hand with players in late position.
If you are first to act in the hand, called an "early" position. You must make a decision without any indication from the other players – a risky position to bet in even with a strong hand. If you are last to act in the hand known as a "late" position, you have seen everyone’s actions before making a decision - and this gives you a huge advantage over your opponents. These are the key fundamentals of table position strategy.
EARLY POSITIONS - GOOD OR NOT?
The first three players to act in a hand are known to be in "early" position. These positions are known to be the weakest. This is because the players need to act with very little information from the other players. So this should tell you to only play strong hand to very strong hands in these positions. So you will need to make sure you can play against players seated before you in the strong positions.
Middle Position
The next few players are known as middle position. They are seated to the left of the first position players. They are able to play more hands since they get to see how other players bet. This usually gives them some of the best information from other players. This position also can be a bad position to play in. Although the risk are much smaller.
Late Position
These are the last players to act. Which are two or three players before the blinds. These are the best positions to hold during a game. They are able to gather the most information. Just make sure if you are in late position you don't let this go to your head. The best players know how to play their position to their advantage.
BETTING SMALL POCKET PAIRS
How do I bet small pairs you might ask yourself?
I will tell you its a lot easier than you might think. If you have pairs between two and six, your best bet would be to call before the flop. You have a good chance to hit one of your cards on the flop. You have a pretty good chance of hitting. The ratio is usually one in eight flops.
Bottom set however could be very bad to bet with. If you decide to bet with your bottom set, you should be cautious. Just be aware of how the other players are betting. Also be aware of the cards on the table. If the cards are higher, and another player bets higher, chances are, they can beat your pair.
With your small pocket pair, you want to try to enter with a minimal bet. So if you don't get anything on the flop, you wouldn't have risked too much. You don't want to bet too much on hopes of catching something on the flop. More often than not someone has something that can beat your small pair.
Now there is something you can do with a your small pair. You can use them to try and steal the blinds. This works best if you are sitting in late position.
Now chances are if you have low suited connectors, and hit a pair on the flop, you might not want to play the hand. It is also not advisable to go after a flush. Chances are someone will have a stronger flush.
BLUFFING, DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Do you have what it takes to make a successful bluff? Are you able to bet convincingly enough to get players to fold? Perhaps you have what it takes to be a successful bluffer. Bluffing can be very profitable if you have the skills.
Make sure you pick out your spot before you attempt a bluff. You don’t want to make your bluff just at any old time. You need to make sure you watch the other’s at the table, try to get a read on them. Then once you are sure you have read your opponents carefully, then you can make your move. There are some key times when you should try your bluff. For example if you are representation a draw, and it hits, this is when you should make your move. You need to make the other players think you have a strong hand.
Now if you raise big, before the flop, this will give your opponents something to think about. You should play this bluff to the end. Now you need to consider this if you plan on bluffing, it takes some courage. Say if you are going to go all the way with your bluff, then you are going to find yourself betting more. You have to show the other players that you aren't afraid to bet. Don’t let them see any telltale sign of weakness. They could take advantage of this tell, and bet against you. Also don’t alter your style of play during a hand your are bluffing with. If you are representation a strong hand, then play it that way. Don't give others a chance to get a read on you, so they won’t have any doubts on your hands.
SEPARATING PLAYERS
When playing poker you should use the first few hands to identify players. You want to know who are the weak players, as well as the strong. The best option is to go after the weak players. You stand to benefit more by playing against them.
You can isolate a weak player by raising or re-raising them. Usually a weak player will not call your bet, since it will be too big of a risk for them to take. You will tend to win most of your chips from bad players. Make sure when you sit at a new table, you figure out who are the weak players.
Remember if you get others calling, they could have stronger hands than yours, or they are trying to determine the weak players as well. Usually the better players tend to stay out of each other's way, and concentrate on taking out the weaker players. Although there are times when the strong players will go after each other, so make sure you keep on your toes.
You always make sure you watch your opponents playing very carefully. Never underestimate their style of playing. Just cause they might play poorly doesn't mean their hand isn't strong.