Changing From Your Normal Starting Requirements

No limit Texas holdem has become the most popular form of poker. One of the biggest decisions that every player makes is there first action in the hand. Almost everyone who has played a bit has seen a starting hands chart. You can't play just any two cards all the time.

Many books will give you a set of conditions for what hands to play. This is a good start but when followed to strictly, you will miss situations where you should to adjust from the basic play. It is the player who does this well that makes the extra cash at the tables.

So, what will tell you that you should adjust your starting hands? Things like stack size and how many players are at the table are important, but still can be pre-planned. It is the ability, and approach, of your opponents that make shifting your pre flop play worth doing.

In the next few paragraphs I will give a couple of examples in no limit cash game situations of when you could, or even should, alter from your standard play. If you normally apply the gap concept, you only play hands that are at least equal to the hands you expect would be played from the raisers position. Let's look at when you might make an exception.

Here's the set up. Blinds are $1/$2 on a full table. The first player to act bets $6. He has been observed as loose, wild, and aggressive. He has $30 left and you have $40.

Everyone folds to you on the button. You have QJ of hearts. Against a tight solid player, you can easily fold here. Having the chance to play this hand versus a loose wild player is a good opportunity.

It is much less likely that he has a big hand, and if you hit the flop, there is a good chance to get paid well by this type of player. A tight solid player with AK won't pay you on a Q74 flop. This guy easily could bluff, or chase for a hit if he has AK. You have position as well here, so these reasons make this a call instead of a fold.

Here is another situation. Playing $1/$2 no limit, a player in mid position with $40 raises to $6. You are on the button with AA. You, and the blinds, all have $100.

Normally with AA you should re-raise, to avoid a possible four way pot. But, you have noticed that the blinds both have been very tight, playing very few hands. I think this sets up a chance to hide the strength of your hand and make more money in a few different scenarios.

It is unlikely both the blinds will call, if they do, you need to be careful. I think it is worth this risk, considering the other possibilities. If you raise, and one of these tight players has a good pair, like 10 10 or JJ they will only call, or maybe even fold. If you just call, they should be inclined to re-raise. This can lead to the short stack going all in, followed by you at least calling, maybe raising, or even pushing all in right there. This makes for a much bigger pot.

If they (the blinds) both fold, the original bettor will likely make a continuation bet, and not be putting you on AA. Getting him all in, or more profit from his post flop bet, is almost a certainty.

The way your opponents approach the game is a big factor in how you play. This is what very good players understand about poker. It is from these adjustments to your opponents that much of the profits come from.

About the Author

cashable online poker bonuses. if you'll watch professional poker tournaments you'll notice that many poker pros are playing with sunglasses or visors. most notably, the games need a varied mindset to play and of course a varied approach. this is where the money from the table is inserted. poker tournament strategy

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