Written By: PokerDicas.com
Calling
Yes that’s right, calling can be a fatal error for most new Texas Hold’em players. Calling can be an effective move, but most of the time beginners are calling for all the wrong reasons. Many times beginners will call simply because they’re scared. If you’re scared then the proper move is to fold. To call is a weak move. Open betting and raising should be the things you do the most. Calling on the other hand should be used as a strategic move to save you money, not as a weak play just to see if you can get lucky. Here are some good reasons to call:
• When you are on a draw
• When you are trying to deceive an opponent
• In a close situation that simply doesn’t warrant two bets
Don’t get into the habit of calling with your hands because it is easy. Be aggressive and on the attack at all times, it is how you win money in poker.
Playing Too High of a Limit
Playing mid to high limit Texas hold’em can be very exciting. Scooping in a pot during a game of $10/$20 Hold’em is a pretty big rush if you haven’t played that high before. It remains a rush to most that frequent those levels. Playing at higher levels too soon is an all too common mistake and the best way to make sure you won’t be playing poker for long. Micro limits and low limit poker can get boring and frustrating, but the simple fact is that until you can beat those games, you’ll never be able to beat the higher limit games.
Once you hit the $10/$20 level in limit hold’em you will be running into a consistent group of good players. There is a fairly serious money commitment required to be competitive at this level and you will get destroyed if you are not ready when you take the step to higher levels. Stick with a limit that is comfortable and within your bankroll. As you grow your bankroll you can comfortably move up in limits and systematically take the games apart. There is plenty of time to experience the rush of high limit Texas Hold’em.
Bluffing
Bluffing is a technique used in poker to fool your opponents and win more money. The problem here is that in most micro and low limit Texas Hold’em games there is no need to deceive your opponents. Most of them are bad enough as it is, so bluffing in turn becomes an overused technique for beginners in Texas Hold’em. There is certainly a time and place for it, but most of the concentration in your formative games should be to play aggressive, proper poker. This alone will win you money in low limit Texas Hold’em. Bluffing certainly is a vital part of playing poker and as you progress in limits it will become more and more important. At the low limits however, an overemphasis on this technique is wrong and could ultimately cost you money. With the high rakes usually seen in low limit Hold’em, there is no room to give up extra money.