Know When to Change Gears in Poker

You always hear the words «be unpredictable» in poker, and you know how much this can prove to be true when it comes to your games.  But you should know though that you only have to change gears at appropriate times, lest your opponents see right through you.

So, when is the right time to change gears in poker?

When you notice an opponent observing you.

In a game of poker, you have to be aware of a lot of things.  This most certainly includes the cards you hold, your poker tells, and your opponents' poker tells.  But you also have to be aware of the fact that your opponents are also observing your every move and studying how you play the game, so you have to change gears and become less predictable since what you show could cost you a lot. [Read][more...]

Connectors Suited or Otherwise

Talk about a starting hand that has believers and non-believers.  Watch any tournament and you will soon see who is willing to play this hand and who folds it immediately.  The point is this: some very good players are willing to play this hand all the time out of the gate.  Others would never do it at any time.  Being of the playing school, these are the reasons for it not being that bad of a starting hand.

It can be discarded after the flop if it is totally missed and it can be a great trapping hand if the flop falls friendly toward the two cards.  An opponent with a big pair will think they have a lock on the hand.  Slow play a set or two pair and this hand can score big time.  A straight or a flush is even better although not as well hidden.  Some very big name players play this hand all the time from the start.  Farha and Negreanu do it all the time in tournaments and cash games.

Big pairs and Ace King get beat all the time in poker games.  As often as not it is a small set or two pairs that cuts the head off.  The very best players use this starting hand a great deal early in tournaments when the anties are small and less painful when lost.  [Read][more...]