PokerTripps

     One of the most common mistakes most beginners do is going “all-in” way to often.  While this is a great way to push your opponents into making a big decision,  you always have to understand what cards are out there that can beat you. 

     Case in point……You flop a straight and start betting.  All players fold but one.  On the turn, one the player makes a nice size open bet.   You raise, and the player calls.  When the last card is turned, the first player checks.  What do you do…….

      Now is the time, if you hav’nt done so already, to figure out how many cards are out there that can beat you.   Remember, that it only takes one out for you to lose all your money.  Is it worth losing the tournament, or cash on hand on this one hand ?  Instead of checking you decide to go all in, player calls and wins having flopped a higher straight.

     If you checked on the last round of betting you would have lost the hand but not the tournament.  So think twice before going all-in or it can be your last hand of the night.

So you have the dealer button in front of you, what does this mean? The greatest significance is that you are the last person to act (means to bet, raise or fold). This is the most powerful position at the table to be in. You should be playing more hands than you normally would.

Alot of information can be obtained from each player. All you do is sit back and observe. You have a free ride, at least for a while, to decide to play or fold. By raising, you can put a lot of pressure on the other opponents. Forcing them to make a decision if they want to continue playing with what they were dealt.

Your opponents will be playing the same way with the button in front of them. Be on the lookout for the “on the button” player to try to steal your blinds away. They will try to steal the blinds or try to make a raise when everyone limps (calls) in.