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Bad Folds in Poker

Many experienced players have learned how to play well in pre-flop. They know exactly when to call, raise, or fold. Surprisingly, these same players make horrible decisions post-flop, especially when they are playing in low-limit hold’em games. Their problem is not because they call down too often, but because they fold when they should not. These players probably believed that they should be playing a smart tight-aggressive play. And this is why they fold most of the time unless they are holding a very strong hand or have a good draw. But what actually happens is that they forget to take into account the odds they are getting.

For example, in the big blind, a player has a King and an Eight of spades. One of his opponents raise in middle position and four other players call. This player also calls. On the table, the flop is made up of a King of clubs, a Ten and a Deuce of diamonds. Then, the small blind bets out. Our poker player is inclined to fold. But it is going to be a bad fold. Analyzing his cards, he still has great odds for his money, although his kicker is not exactly the best. He has a top pair and he might even end up getting trips or two pairs. Admittedly, there is a pretty good chance that one of his opponents will win. But the pot has so much money that our player should at least call one bet.

Making a bad fold can be the biggest mistake that a poker player makes. To avoid this mistake, a player must remember that there are actually two major decisions he should make. One is in pre-flop, and second is on the turn.

In pre-flop, the player will decide whether he wants to play his hand or not. In the flop, this player will usually make or call a small bet, thus, flop decisions are not really significant. In the post-flop, on the turn, the player will consider odds, his hand, and his opponents’ hands. When this player decides to call the turn, it will be advisable for him to also call the river. When he does both, it means that he is making two big bets. This may seem risky but it will be tragic to fold a winning hand on the river.

Supposed the pot is raised pre-flop and only one bet is made post-flop, a player may fold at the turn. Obviously, he lost. But the money he lost is certainly less than what he would have lost if he had called to a showdown.

Lastly, the river is not a good time to fold. There are only two situations in which a player needs to fold on the river. First, a player must fold when he misses a draw. And second, if there is much betting and raising. This indicates that the player’s hand is probably the weakest.

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Texas Hold'em Session $2-$4 FullTilt 3-18-2008

This is a short online poker session at FullTilt poker that I'm using to demo and test embedding techonologies on our forum (www.lowlimitforum.com)

Duration : 24 min 22 sec

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Poker : How Get Value Out Of A Set (Three of a Kind)

This is a free video lesson brought to you by:
http://www.SitNGoGenius.com

Sean Moronse describes to get maximum value out of playing a set in a Sit an Go tournament.

Check out this lesson and many more at http://www.SitNGoGenius.com

Duration : 1 min 56 sec

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A Quick and Easy Lesson in Calculating Outs and Pot Odds

Calculating outs (the number of cards that could improve your hand) and pot odds (ratio of the money in the pot versus the amount required to make your next call) is often used as a basis for a Texas Holdem Poker player on whether to draw and try to make their hand.

However this in my opinion should not be the sole basis of your decision on whether you should draw for another card.

You also have to decide on whether the hand that you are trying to hit will win you the pot or not.

How to calculate pot odds:
In this example, if the current pot contains $80, and the amount required at the next call is $20, the pot is laying you odds of $80 to $20 or 4 to 1.

As long as your odds of making the best hand are 4 to 1 or better than making the call is the right move. A hand that is 4 to 1 means that you will hit once in every 5 tries. You will hit the draw 20 percent of the time.

This next example takes into account calculating pot odds and outs.

Assume that your hole cards are a six and a seven (for this example suits do not matter) and the flop came down 8-9-3.

In order to complete your hand you need a 5 or 10. You have eight outs - 4-5’s and 4-10’s. Multiply your outs (8) by 4 and you get 32. You have a 32 percent chance of making your hand. If there was only one card left to draw you would multiply by two.

A 32 percent chance of making your hand means you have a 68 percent chance of NOT making your hand. This is roughly 2 to 1 that you won’t make the hand. So, as long as the pot contains $2 for every $1 that you have to call, it is worth going after your straight.

Doing these quick calculations and interpreting them can be very difficult and confusing for a beginner (and many advanced players as well!). But I would recommend that you at least be able to quickly calculate your outs to give you an idea of just how likely you are to make your hand.

Then decide if that hand will win the pot for you or not.

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Sit and Go Texas Holdem Tournament Tutorial

This video is brought to you by:
http://www.SitNGoGenius.com

Watch the SitNGoGenius himself tear up a low limit Sit and Go

Duration : 9 min 45 sec

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Pot Odds In A Nutshell - 1 Out

What are the correct pot odds needed to call when you are looking for just one card to make your hand? Duff from stonecoldbluff.co.uk tells us. In a nutshell, of course.

Duration : 1 min 2 sec

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Let It Ride Poker - the Excitement of Letting It Ride to a Huge Payout

Want to learn a new poker game that uses the poker hand rankings, but is all new in every other respect?

Its called Let it Ride poker. Let it Ride poker is a game however where you need to get the odds on your side. We will show you how below, if you can you can let it ride to a huge payout!

Just like blackjack, but unlike any other form of poker, you play Let it Ride against a dealer, and not other players. Its even played on a table similar to blackjack as well.

Its exciting, fast, and played correctly you can really win and you can let it ride to a huge payout to!

Just like poker, Let it Ride employs only one standard deck of cards. To start, each player will make three bets. There will be a house minimum in each case, and will be indicated on the table format, and your bets have to be at least those.

Clearly marked, there are betting Circles marked 1, 2, and $. After your three bets, the dealer will deal three cards to each player at the table, face down, and two more open cards (called community cards, like in Texas Hold’em, to be used by all the players), also face down.

Each player views their three cards, and if desired, may cancel his bet in Circle 1. This is done by telling the dealer to give it back. However, you can also “let it ride” and stay in in the game. Now if you let the bet ride it must remain until the end of the game. Also if a bet is taken away, it is now out of play..

At this point, the dealer will turn one of his cards over. Again, the player has the choice to take his bet back from Circle 2 or let it ride.

It must be mentioned that the bet decision in Circle 1 does not affect the action in Circle 2. As this is done, betting is over, as the Circle $ bet cannot be removed. The dealer then uncovers his second card.

The two dealer cards are called community cards, just as in Texas Hold’em and Omaha, and are used to complete the hand of each player.

The object of all this is to achieve a hand with a pair of 10s or better. If you have this, you are a winner. This is an automatic win. Unlike most poker games, there is no card substitution or bluffing. Its just a game of who can make the best hand.

Is there a strategy then? Yes, and its simple and effective. Learn it before you start playing however, and you will see yourself a winner more times than not.

See the guide below but put simply, if you have been dealt three bad cards in the first instance, and have no pair of 10s, ask you bet back from Circle 1.

There is no risk, that if the two community cards gives you a pair of 10s, you will win anyway.

If you have been dealt the components of a flush or royal flush, you can your Circle 1 bet ride. Remember that as each community card is shown, you can judge your chances, and limit losses, or maximize profits. See the chart below.

What to do in Circle 1

Let it Ride if your first three cards are:

1. A pair of tens of better

2. Any three cards in a Royal Flush

3. Any three cards from a Straight Flush or Inside Straight Flush

4. Any three cards of a Double Inside Straight Flush with 2 high cards (10 or higher)

5. A ten, Jack and Queen

What to do in Circle 2

Let it Ride if your first four cards are:

1. Pair of tens or better

2. Any four cards of the same suit

3. A four card straight (open ended)

4. Any four high cards (ten or higher)

Some final advice on betting.

You can tell if you are a winner already by the forth card, so its obvious you will let your bet ride for Circle

You may be confused what to do if you are in a good position for a flush or straight, so we advise you to let it ride if bankroll allows, as the house odds have reduced by now.

If you are not sure, or your bankroll will not allow, take back your bet, and wait for a better hand.

Let it ride may not have the best odds of winning but for sheer excitment and chasing the big payout it takes some beating and its a whole lot of fun. Enjoy!

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