Poker Strategy: How to Win a Poker

Poker is not just a game but a sport, demanding skills, patience, and strategic thinking. Your ability to devise effective poker strategies will differentiate you from other players. There’s no shortcut to success and if you want to get better at something, you need to practice hard. 

Players cannot become poker stars in just one day but can be one someday, provided they regularly improve their game every day through poker strategies. People often ask about the best ways to improve their poker game. There are a number of different poker strategies (both at the poker tables and away from them) that are utilized to help players quickly improve their game.

Basic Poker Strategies

Knowing poker strategy is critical because it goes beyond the basic poker rules and helps you make calculated decisions, which in turn helps in winning. Strategy in poker goes beyond understanding just the poker hand combinations; it is about reading your opponents, calculating odds, and managing your bankroll.

Without having a strategy or multiple strategies for different scenarios, it will be difficult to build your own personal style of playing poker. You will simply be relying on luck, leaving yourself vulnerable to more seasoned players who can outsmart you. Mastering strategies truly turns poker into a game of skill.

1. Starting hand selection

Starting hand selection in poker is very important when you play the game. It involves carefully choosing which hands to play at the beginning of a hand based on factors such as position, opponent tendencies, and the strength of your own hand. By selecting strong starting hands and folding weaker ones, players can increase their chances of winning and minimize losses. This strategy sets the foundation for success in the rest of the game.

Example: In poker, the starting hand or hole cards play a big role, along with the seating position as well. If a player is holding premium cards like A A or K K, they can do a strong pre-flop raise to force the pot. If the player is on the dealer button during the round, they have the advantage of acting last in all post-flop betting. This allows the player to play a wider range of hands with suited connectors, small pairs, and high cards like A J or K Q.

2. Aggression pays in poker

Aggressive refers to how a player plays his poker hands. Poker is a game of focus and aggression. Refrain from getting impatient and playing a hand not worth playing. Remember that aggressive play builds big pots. Playing aggressively is the most economical playing style because it helps you manage your chip stack by avoiding wasting them on weak hands.

Example: In poker, sometimes players can play aggressively by raising with a modest hand like a 10♥ J♥. The strong raise adds pressure on opponents with speculative hands or weaker hands. The aggressive play helps to build the pot early on in the game, and if they hit a better hand down the rounds, there can be a big payoff.

3. Be patient

In poker, patience is a virtue and it literally pays. Whether you are a tournament or a cash game player, patience is your friend. One should never sit down at a poker table looking to make a fast buck. Waiting for a good starting hand and then playing them aggressively is the key. Remember, poker is more like a marathon than a sprint. If you don’t play the game with patience, your overall game will face a downward spiral.

4. Observe your opponent

When engaging in an online poker game, it's essential not just to make strategic moves but also to hide your intentions from opponents while observing theirs. Clever poker players continuously observe opponents, even when not playing, to gather information for future showdowns.

5. Fold when you’re unsure

To know when to fold can make or break your game. If you're uncertain about your hand's strength or the direction of the game, folding is a strategic move. It prevents potential losses and preserves your bankroll for stronger hands. But, wait until it is your turn to act before you fold.

Example: In poker, mostly a player should fold if they have weak and unconnected hands like 7 - 2 or 8 - 3 off-suit. Folding such hands helps in protecting your chip stack for stronger hands. Players should also fold such marginal hands if they are facing large bets in a game.

6. Semi-bluff 

You must have read a lot about bluffing in poker. For starters, it’s always best to bluff when you have hands that have high chances of improving to the best hand as the game progresses. In poker terms, we call these bluffs the semi-bluffs because of how it protects the player’s edge in case their bluff gets called. However, bluffing in poker involves making aggressive bets or raises with a weaker hand to deceive opponents into believing you have a stronger hand.

7. Play for longer term and develop your skills

As an amateur, you will win as well as lose on tables. At some point, you’ll go all-in with a pair of aces, then lose to another player holding a pair of 10s who catches a third 10 on the river. Don’t let these types of losses discourage you. Mastering poker and consistently winning is a journey that demands extensive experience, involving countless hands played in actual games. It's through this process that one can truly understand the fundamentals, and achieving expertise requires far more hands than just the basics.

8. Start with freeroll tournaments

Playing a freeroll poker tournament is the best way to master your poker skills. Before you go ahead to risk your hard-earned money, these free-to-play tournaments are where you want to begin your trial sessions. Even if you hone all the necessary poker skills and strategies, it's advisable to refine them further before risking your money against opponents.

Freeroll tournaments on the Pocket52 app are completely free to enter with no buy-in amount. You can play Freeroll tournaments to win Discount Credits or DC, which can be used later to get discounted buy-ins on cash games. Freerolls are the best way to improve your poker skills, and learn the game, without losing any money.

9. Do not be the first player to limp

In poker, limping refers to the act of entering the pot by calling the minimum bet rather than raising or folding. It is always advisable not to be the first player to limp because limping often indicates a weak hand or lack of confidence, and it allows other players to enter the pot cheaply, potentially improving their hands and making it more difficult for you to win.

10. Defend your big blind

It is important to defend your big blind because of its value. The big blind is an important position as you have already invested in the pot. So, when you encounter a raise while sitting in the big blind, you have better pot odds to call compared to other positions. 

11. Identify and attack the weak links

In poker, being observant is crucial. When you notice your opponent displaying signs of fatigue, such as hesitation or doubt, identify and attack. They become more susceptible to making errors, such as ineffective bluffs or ill-advised raises. Alternatively, you can make an aggressive bet to create uncertainty in your opponent's mind, potentially leading them to fold. This, in turn, will help you claim the pot without even reaching a showdown.

12. Position and its impact on strategy

Position in poker plays a crucial role as it affects the information available to the player, which in turn influences strategy and outcome. Here’s how it plays out across early, middle, and late positions:

• Early Position (EP): Players in early positions (like under the gun or UTG) are at a slight disadvantage as they have to act first in a round of betting. Since EP players have little to no information on opponents' hands, they must use a conservative strategy, playing only strong hands and folding weaker ones.
• Middle Position (MP): In the middle position, players have information about the early position opponents but still need to consider potential moves from later-position players. This position offers more flexibility, allowing players to play some speculative hands or suited connectors.
• Late Position (LP): Late positions, particularly the player on the button, have a strategic advantage. Acting last allows you to understand what others are doing and plan your moves. This position is ideal for aggressive play, making big raises or bluffing to catch unaware players off guard.

Poker Strategy to Win in Texas Hold’em

These are five strategies that can be used to win in Texas Hold’em poker:

• Play tight but aggressive: Only enter with strong hands, but bet aggressively to put pressure on opponents.
• Position awareness: Play more hands from late positions to gather information before making decisions.
• Use bluffing as a strategy: Bluff selectively to disguise your hand strength and confuse opponents.
• Observe patterns: Pay close attention to opponents' betting styles and typical hands.
• Adapt to table dynamics: Adjust your style and strategy based on the skill level and tendencies of players at the table.

Poker Strategy to Win in Omaha

Here are five strategies that can be used to win in Omaha poker:

• Hand selection: In Omaha, focus on hands with coordinated cards and strong drawing potential, unlike Texas Hold’em where high pairs and strong single hands often suffice.
• Position play: Positional play is even more crucial in Omaha, as the game’s higher variance and complex draws make acting last advantageous.
• Drawing hands strategy: Omaha favors more drawing hands, like the flush draw or straight draw.
• Pot-Limit betting: Omaha uses a pot-limit betting style, which calls for controlled aggression and strategic betting.
• Understanding equity: Omaha hands are closer in equity pre-flop, so it’s critical to estimate your hand’s value on the flop and in subsequent rounds.

Top 10 Poker Tips for Beginners:

If you’re a poker beginner and looking forward to taking this skill-based game seriously, we have these top 10 poker tips for you:

1. Chant poker rules like a mantra

Prior to playing a game of poker, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the rules of the specific poker variation you want to play. Since there are numerous variations of poker, take your time to thoroughly comprehend the specific rules to ensure you have a clear understanding of the game before getting into the gameplay.

2. Small and steady wins the pot

If you are new to poker, ​​ it is recommended to begin with low-stakes games or play with friends purely for fun. This provides a valuable opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in the game without putting a significant amount of money at risk. 

3. Patience is the key

Poker is a game of patience. Don’t try to force a win by playing every hand. Wait for good hands and play them aggressively.

4. Manage your bankroll

Allocate a designated sum of money for poker and adhere to it. Avoid playing with funds that are beyond your financial means.

5. Pay attention to your opponents

Observe the playing style of your opponents. This will provide valuable insights on how to strategize and effectively compete against them.

6. Don’t bluff too much

Bluffing is an important part of poker, yet it is crucial to exercise caution and avoid overdoing it. Reserve bluffing for situations where you have a favorable probability of successfully deceiving your opponents.

7. Eyes on the pot

Poker can be a long and tiring game. Stay focused and don’t let your mind wander. Take breaks if needed.

8. Know when to fold

Don’t be afraid to fold if you have a weak hand. It’s always better to lose a small amount of money than to risk losing a lot.

9. Practice good bankroll management

As you win, increase your stakes gradually. One of the most important poker strategies is not to get too greedy and start playing at stakes that are too high for your bankroll.

10. Having fun takes you in the long run

Lastly, a tip on poker cherished by seasoned poker players is to always bear in mind that poker is a game meant to be enjoyable. Avoid taking it too seriously and instead embrace the experience with a spirit of fun and enjoyment.

Also read: Beginner’s Guide to Poker Actions

FAQs on Poker Strategy: