Playing With Conviction

For a beginning player, playing with conviction really means three things: 1) raise or fold, but don’t limp; 2) if you’re not sure, don’t play; and 3) make the correct sized raise. This simple approach will help you stay out of uncertain or difficult situations, and make the most of the times when you have an advantage.

Don’t Limp

When you decide to play a hand, raising is usually a lot better than simply calling (or “limping” into the pot). When you raise, you increase the likelihood of causing the opponents acting behind you to fold, thus giving yourself the best position should the hand proceed to the flop.

Raising also forces all of your opponents -- including the big blind -- to make a decision about whether or not to pursue their hands. If they feel that their hands are too weak to risk a large bet, or fear that your hand is strong because you raised, they might fold their hands. So you might even win the pot before the flop.

Be Selective

While there are many approaches to the game, winning players usually do not play every hand they are dealt, and in fact many play only a small percentage of hands -- say, no more than 20-25% overall, and much less than that from early position.

Thus when making that decision before the flop whether or not to play, remember that folding is often going to be the most profitable choice, so to speak, because it will prevent you from losing money. Being selective should be an important part of your poker strategy.

Standard Raises

In no-limit Texas Hold’em, you can raise up to the total amount of chips that you have at the table. While there are certain situations where an unusually small or large raise is useful, your correct raise as a new poker player is typically three times the big blind. For example, if the big blind is $10, you should raise to $30. This is also known as a “standard” raise.

A raise of three times the big blind should be enough to discourage your opponents from trying to play their weak or marginal hands. It signals that your hand is strong, but you don’t need to put all your chips at risk.