Holdem Poker Room Advice

Game Playing Tips

Systematically reviewing the above list will pretty much prepare you to play Hold'em without encountering some of the most common problems that face beginners. The floor man has just called your name and you've just been seated in a Texas Hold'em poker game. Here's what you should keep in mind now that action is coming your way:

How Much Should You Buy in For?

Absolutely no less than $100 in a $1-$4-$8-$8 game, proportionately more in higher limits. You need to have enough money in the game to play your hands correctly without regard to how many chips you have in front of you at anyone time. You must be able to lose a hand and still have enough chips (called checks in a casino poker game) left to put a lot of checks in the next pot if the hand calls for it.
If you've decided that you'll put $20 or $40 more into the game should you lose some of your original $100 buy-in, then you should go ahead and buy in for the whole $120 or $140 in the beginning. If you lose $40 of a $100 buy-in that would represent a 40% loss to you. But a $40 loss with a $140 buy in is only a 28% loss to you. Psychologically, you'll feel better about it and you'll still have more money left in your stack.
If you've decided that you're going to rebuy should the need arise, then you should rebury at that time for the largest additional amount that you're willing to put into the game. Don't wait to rebuy once you've made the decision. Do not put $20 on the poker room table and lose that, then put $20 more out, and lose that and so on. When you do that, you're playing your money and not your cards and that's a sure prescription for disaster.

New Player

In most low limit games, a new player does not have to play his first hand in the big blind. You have the option of not playing for two hands and when the deal passes your position you can receive a hand just to the right of the dealer. This means you can look at eight hands for free before you have to put in your $2 big blind.

Which Hand to Miss

If you have to miss one hand for any reason, the best hand to miss is when you're just to the left of the big blind. Because of your position relative to the other players, this is when you're at the biggest positional disadvantage of any player at the table. The playing requirements are so high for this position that you'll almost never have missed a good, playable hand. There'll be more about this later under the heading of what hands to play in which positions.

When to Take a Break

If you have to be away from the table long enough to miss two hands then the best time is when it is your big blind. Get up and do not play when it is your big blind or small blind. Then, after the dealer button passes your position, put in both your big and small blinds (you must make up missed blinds in this game). You will be coming back into the game in the best of all possible positions, late position, and you will have already called to see the flop.

Don't Lose Your Seat

Remember that if you leave the game for more than one hour in most card rooms, you are subject to having your checks picked up and your seat given to another player.

Pick a Good First Hand

As obvious as it may sound, choose the first hand you voluntarily enter the pot with very carefully. It really helps when you can win your first hand. It will give you more room to play future hands more freely. On the other hand, when you lose your first hand, you'll have to start out by trying to dig yourself out of a hole and that affects your attitude toward the game.