Ideas behind good poker play
Poker is a popular card game that combines elements of
chance and strategy. There are various 🧲 styles of poker, all of which share an objective
of presenting the least probable or highest-scoring hand. A poker hand 🧲 is usually a
configuration of five cards depending on the variant, either held entirely by a player
or drawn partly 🧲 from a number of shared, community cards. Players bet on their hands in
a number of rounds as cards are 🧲 drawn, employing various mathematical and intuitive
strategies in an attempt to better opponents.
Given the game's many different forms and
various 🧲 dynamics, poker strategy becomes a complex subject. This article attempts to
introduce only the basic strategy concepts.
The fundamental theorem of 🧲 poker [ edit
]
The fundamental theorem of poker, introduced by David Sklansky, states: Every time
you play your hand the 🧲 way you would if you could see your opponents' cards, you gain,
and every time your opponents play their cards 🧲 differently from the way they would play
them if they could see your cards, you gain.[1] This theorem is the 🧲 foundation for many
poker strategy topics. For example, bluffing and slow-playing (explained below) are
examples of using deception to induce 🧲 your opponents to play differently from how they
would if they could see your cards. There are some exceptions to 🧲 the fundamental
theorem in certain multi-way pot situations, as described in Morton's theorem.
Pot
odds, implied odds and poker probabilities [ 🧲 edit ]
The relationship between pot odds
and odds of winning is one of the most important concepts in poker strategy. 🧲 Pot odds
are the ratio of the size of the pot to the size of the bet required to stay 🧲 in the
pot.[1] For example, if a player must callR$10 for a chance to win aR$40 pot (not
including theirR$10 🧲 call), their pot odds are 4-to-1. To have a positive expectation, a
player's odds of winning must be better than 🧲 their pot odds. If the player's odds of
winning are also 4-to-1 (20% chance of winning), their expected return is 🧲 to break even
(on average, losing four times and winning once for every five times they play such a
pot).
Implied 🧲 odds is a more complicated concept, though related to pot odds. The
implied odds on a hand are based not 🧲 on the money currently in the pot, but on the
expected size of the pot at the end of the 🧲 hand. When facing an even money situation
(like the one described in the previous paragraph) and holding a strong drawing 🧲 hand
(say a Four flush) a skilled player will consider calling a bet or even opening based
on their implied 🧲 odds. This is particularly true in multi-way pots, where it is likely
that one or more opponents will call all 🧲 the way to showdown.
Deception [ edit ]
By
employing deception, a poker player hopes to induce their opponent(s) to act
differently 🧲 from how they would if they could see their cards. David Sklansky has
argued that winning at poker is often 🧲 decided by how much one player can force another
to change their style while successfully maintaining their own strategy.[2] Bluffing 🧲 is
a form of deception where players bet strongly on a weak hand to induce opponents to
fold superior hands. 🧲 Related is the semi-bluff, in which a player who does not have a
strong hand, but has a chance to 🧲 improve it to a strong hand in later rounds, bets
strongly on the hand in the hopes of inducing other 🧲 players with weaker "made" hands to
fold.[3] Slow-playing is deceptive play in poker that is roughly the opposite of
bluffing: 🧲 checking or betting weakly with a strong holding, attempting to induce other
players with weaker hands to call or raise 🧲 the bet instead of folding, to increase the
payout.
Position [ edit ]
A standard Texas hold 'em game with blinds
Position refers 🧲 to
the order in which players are seated around the table and the strategic consequences
of this. Generally, players in 🧲 earlier position (who have to act first) need stronger
hands to bet/raise or call than players in later position. For 🧲 example, if there are
five opponents yet to act behind a player, there is a greater chance one of the 🧲 yet to
act opponents will have a better hand than if there were only one opponent yet to act.
Being 🧲 in late position is an advantage because a player gets to see how their opponents
in earlier position act (which 🧲 provides the player more information about their hands
than they have about his). This information, coupled with a low bet 🧲 to a late player,
may allow the player to "limp in" with a weaker hand when they would have folded 🧲 the
same hand if they'd had to act earlier. Position is one of the most vital elements to
understand in 🧲 order to be a long-term winning player. As a player's position improves,
so too does the range of cards with 🧲 which they can profitably enter a hand. Conversely
this commonly held knowledge can be used to an intelligent poker player's 🧲 advantage. If
playing against observant opponents, then a raise with any two cards can 'steal the
blinds,' if executed against 🧲 passive players at the right time.
Reasons to raise [ edit
]
Unlike calling, raising has an extra way to win: opponents 🧲 may fold. An opening bet
may be considered a raise from a strategy perspective. David Sklansky gives several
reasons for 🧲 raising, summarized below.[1]
To get more money in the pot when a player
has the best hand: If a player has 🧲 the best hand, raising for value enables them to win
a bigger pot.
If a player has the best hand, enables 🧲 them to win a bigger pot. To drive
out opponents when a player has the best hand: If a player 🧲 has a made hand, raising may
protect their hand by driving out opponents with drawing hands who may otherwise
improve 🧲 to a better hand.
If a player has a made hand, raising may protect their hand
by driving out opponents with 🧲 drawing hands who may otherwise improve to a better hand.
To bluff A player raises with an inferior or "trash" 🧲 hand attempts to deceive other
players about the strength of their hand, and hopefully induce a better hand to fold.
A
🧲 player raises with an inferior or "trash" hand attempts to deceive other players about
the strength of their hand, and 🧲 hopefully induce a better hand to fold. To semi-bluff A
player with a drawing hand may raise both to bluff 🧲 and for value. While technically
still a bluff, as the player may not end up with a made hand and 🧲 is primarily trying to
drive out players, the player still has the opportunity to make his or her hand and 🧲 win
the pot if the bluff is called.
A player with a drawing hand may raise both to bluff
and for 🧲 value. While technically still a bluff, as the player may not end up with a
made hand and is primarily 🧲 trying to drive out players, the player still has the
opportunity to make his or her hand and win the 🧲 pot if the bluff is called. To block
Players on drawing hands may put out a "blocking bet" against players 🧲 who are likely to
bet when checked to, but unlikely to raise when bet into. This is a small bet 🧲 made on a
drawing hand to lessen the likelihood of having to call a larger bet from a player in
🧲 late position.
Players on drawing hands may put out a "blocking bet" against players
who are likely to bet when checked 🧲 to, but unlikely to raise when bet into. This is a
small bet made on a drawing hand to lessen 🧲 the likelihood of having to call a larger
bet from a player in late position. To get a free card: 🧲 If a player raises with a
drawing hand, their opponent may call the bet and check to them on the 🧲 next betting
round, giving them a chance to get a free card to improve their hand.
If a player
raises with 🧲 a drawing hand, their opponent may call the bet and check to them on the
next betting round, giving them 🧲 a chance to get a free card to improve their hand. To
gain information: If a player raises with an 🧲 uncertain hand, they gain information
about the strength of their opponent's hand if they are called. Players may use an
🧲 opening bet on a later betting round ( probe or continuation bets) to gain information
by being called or raised 🧲 (or may win the pot immediately).
If a player raises with an
uncertain hand, they gain information about the strength of 🧲 their opponent's hand if
they are called. Players may use an opening bet on a later betting round ( or 🧲 bets) to
gain information by being called or raised (or may win the pot immediately). To drive
out worse hands 🧲 when a player's own hand may be second best: A combination protection
and probe raise, a player with a strong 🧲 hand but not the "nuts" (the hole cards that
make the best possible hand given the current face-up cards) may 🧲 raise, both to induce
drawing hands that may improve to the "nut hand" to fold, while also testing to see 🧲 if
another player has the "nuts".
A combination protection and probe raise, a player with
a strong hand but not the 🧲 "nuts" (the hole cards that make the best possible hand given
the current face-up cards) may raise, both to induce 🧲 drawing hands that may improve to
the "nut hand" to fold, while also testing to see if another player has 🧲 the "nuts". To
drive out better hands when a drawing hand bets: If an opponent with an apparent
drawing hand 🧲 has bet before the player to act, if the player raises, opponents behind
them who may have a better hand 🧲 may fold rather than call two bets "cold". This is a
form of isolation play, and has elements of blocking 🧲 and protection.
Reasons to call [
edit ]
There are several reasons for calling a bet or raise, summarized below.
To see
more 🧲 cards: With a drawing hand, a player may be receiving the correct pot odds with
the call to see more 🧲 cards.
With a drawing hand, a player may be receiving the correct
pot odds with the call to see more cards. 🧲 To limit loss in equity: Calling may be
appropriate when a player has adequate pot odds to call but will 🧲 lose equity on
additional money contributed to the pot with a raise.
Calling may be appropriate when a
player has adequate 🧲 pot odds to call but will lose equity on additional money
contributed to the pot with a raise. To avoid 🧲 a re-raise: Only calling (and not
raising) denies the original bettor the option of re-raising. However, this is only
completely 🧲 safe in case the player is last to act (i.e. "closing the action").
Only
calling (and not raising) denies the original 🧲 bettor the option of re-raising. However,
this is only completely safe in case the player is last to act (i.e. 🧲 "closing the
action"). To conceal the strength of a player's hand: If a player has a very strong
hand, they 🧲 might smooth call on an early betting round to avoid giving away the
strength of their hand on the hope 🧲 of getting more money into the pot in later betting
rounds.
If a player has a very strong hand, they might 🧲 smooth call on an early betting
round to avoid giving away the strength of their hand on the hope of 🧲 getting more money
into the pot in later betting rounds. To manipulate pot odds: By calling (not raising),
a player 🧲 offers any opponents yet to act behind them more favorable pot odds to also
call. For example, if a player 🧲 has a very strong hand, a smooth call may encourage
opponents behind them to overcall or even raise, building the 🧲 pot. Particularly in
limit games, building the pot in an earlier betting round may induce opponents to call
future bets 🧲 in later betting rounds because of the pot odds they will be receiving.
By
calling (not raising), a player offers any 🧲 opponents yet to act behind them more
favorable pot odds to also call. For example, if a player has a 🧲 very strong hand, a may
encourage opponents behind them to or even raise, building the pot. Particularly in
limit games, 🧲 building the pot in an earlier betting round may induce opponents to call
future bets in later betting rounds because 🧲 of the pot odds they will be receiving. To
set up a bluff on a later betting round: Sometimes referred 🧲 to as a long-ball bluff or
float, calling on an earlier betting round can set up a bluff (or semi-bluff) 🧲 on a
later betting round. For instance, a player with a strong initial hand may call instead
of raise to 🧲 see the flop cheaply. That flop may not benefit the player, but the player
may still have many "outs" (cards 🧲 left to deal that could make a strong hand), or even
if the odds are slim they can try to 🧲 bluff. By raising, this scenario may appear to an
opponent like a player who has "limped in" with a weak 🧲 initial hand, but after the flop
now has a strong made or drawing hand. A recent online term for "long-ball 🧲 bluffing" is
floating.[4]
Gap concept [ edit ]
The gap concept states that a player needs a better
hand to play against 🧲 someone who has already opened (or raised) the betting than he
would need to open himself.[5] The gap concept reflects 🧲 that players prefer to avoid
confrontations with other players who have already indicated strength, and that calling
only has one 🧲 way to win (by having the best hand), whereas opening may also win
immediately if your opponent(s) fold.
Sandwich effect [ 🧲 edit ]
Related to the gap
effect, the sandwich effect states that a player needs a stronger hand to stay in 🧲 a pot
when there are opponents yet to act behind him.[4] Because the player does not know how
many opponents 🧲 will be involved in the pot or whether he will have to call a re-raise,
he does not know what 🧲 his effective pot odds actually are. Therefore, a stronger hand
is desired as compensation for this uncertainty. A squeeze play 🧲 exploits this
principle.
Loose/tight play [ edit ]
Loose players play relatively more hands and tend
to continue with weaker hands; hence 🧲 they do not often fold. Tight players play
relatively fewer hands and tend not to continue with weaker hands; hence 🧲 they often
fold. The following concepts are applicable in loose games (and their inverse in tight
games):[1]
Bluffs and semi-bluffs are 🧲 less effective because loose opponents are less
likely to fold.
Requirements for continuing with made hands may be lower because loose
🧲 players may also be playing lower value hands.
Drawing to incomplete hands, like
flushes, tends to be more valuable as draws 🧲 will often get favorable pot odds and a
stronger hand (rather than merely one pair) is often required to win 🧲 in multi-way
pots.
Aggressive/passive play [ edit ]
Aggressive play refers to betting and raising.
Passive play refers to checking and calling. 🧲 Unless passive play is being used
deceptively as mentioned above, aggressive play is generally considered stronger than
passive play because 🧲 of the bluff value of bets and raises and because it offers more
opportunities for your opponents to make mistakes.[1]
Hand 🧲 reading, tells and leveling
[ edit ]
Hand reading is the process of making educated guesses about the possible
cards an 🧲 opponent may hold, based on the sequence of actions in the pot. The term 'hand
reading' is actually a misnomer, 🧲 as skilled players do not attempt to assign a player
to an exact hand. Rather they attempt to narrow the 🧲 possibilities down to a range of
probable hands based on the past actions of their opponent, during both the current
🧲 hand and previous hands played by this opponent.
Tells are detectable changes in
opponents' behavior or demeanor which provide clues about 🧲 their hands or their
intentions. Educated guesses about opponents' cards and intentions can help a player
avoid mistakes in his 🧲 own play, induce mistakes by the opponents, or influence the
opponents to take actions that they would not normally take 🧲 under the circumstances.
For example, a tell might suggest that an opponent has missed a draw, so a player
seeing 🧲 it may decide a bluff would be more effective than usual.
Leveling or multiple
level thinking is accounting for what the 🧲 other opponents think about the hands. This
information can then be used to the player's advantage. Some players might be 🧲 able to
make educated guesses about opponents' hands; this could be seen as the first level.
The second level could 🧲 be thought of as the combination of the first level and deducing
what the opponents think the player's hand may 🧲 be. Skilled players can adjust their
game play to be on a higher level than that of less skilled opponents.
Table 🧲 image and
opponent profiling [ edit ]
By observing the tendencies and patterns of one's
opponents, one can make more educated 🧲 guesses about others' potential holdings. For
example, if a player has been playing extremely tightly (playing very few hands), then
🧲 when he/she finally enters a pot, one may surmise that he/she has stronger than average
cards. One's table image is 🧲 the perception by one's opponents of one's own pattern of
play. A player can leverage their table image by playing 🧲 out of character, and thereby
inducing his/her opponents to misjudge his/her hand and make a mistake.
In live poker,
as opposed 🧲 to internet, stereotypes are often used for initial 'reads'. For instance,
people of retirement age are often witnessed to play 🧲 tight. Players will often project
this image on unknown people of retirement age. Young people wearing headphones and
hoodies are 🧲 often witnessed to play more aggressively and mathematically if they played
a lot of winning internet poker. These stereotypes can 🧲 often be good bases to start a
profile.
Often, there is a rather small pool of players in a given card 🧲 playing venue.
People will carry their history of playing with them in these environments.
Internet
poker players can use large databases 🧲 of hand histories to get a more precise player
profile. Statistical information about opponents is displayed on the tables in 🧲 the form
of a heads up display. The most commonly used software is PokerTracker and Hold'em
Manager.
Equity [ edit ]
Players' 🧲 equity in a pot is their expected share of the pot,
expressed either as a percentage (probability of winning) or 🧲 expected value (amount of
pot * probability of winning). Negative equity, or loss in equity, occurs when
contributing to a 🧲 pot with a probability of winning less than 1 / (number of opponents
matching the contribution+1).
Example Alice contributesR$12 to a 🧲 pot and is matched by
two other opponents. Alice'sR$12 contribution "bought" the chance to winR$36. If
Alice's probability of winning 🧲 is 50%, her equity in theR$36 pot isR$18 (a gain in
equity because herR$12 is now "worth"R$18). If her probability 🧲 of winning is only 10%,
Alice loses equity because herR$12 is now only "worth"R$3.60 (amount of pot *
probability of 🧲 winning).
Texas hold 'em example Alice holds J♦ 8♠. Bob holds K♥ 7♠.
After the flop, the board is 5♥6♥7♦ . 🧲 If both hands are played to a showdown, Alice has
a 45% chance to win (which she is unaware of, 🧲 because she does not know what hand Bob
holds), Bob has a 53% chance to win and there is a 🧲 2% chance to split the pot. The pot
currently hasR$51. Alice goes all-in forR$45 reasoning that she can take the 🧲 pot
immediately if Bob folds or that Bob calls with a worse hand. Bob's simple pot odds for
the call 🧲 are also 32%; since his equity of 53% is greater than the pot odds he has to
call, Bob has 🧲 a positive expected value for the call (if he knew Alice's hole
cards).
Short-handed considerations [ edit ]
When playing short-handed (at 🧲 a table with
3-6 players), players must loosen up their play (play more hands) for several
reasons:[1]
There is less likelihood 🧲 of another player having a strong hand because
there are fewer players.
Each player's share of the forced bets increases because 🧲 there
are fewer players contributing to the forced bets, thus waiting for premium hands
becomes more expensive.
This type of situation 🧲 comes up most often in tournament style
play. In a cash game, the adjustments are very similar, but not quite 🧲 as drastic as the
table can ask for what is known as a 'rake break.' A rake break occurs when 🧲 the
floor-man, who represents the casino, agrees to take a smaller portion than usual for
the hand. For example, a 🧲 random casino might normally receive 10% of the pot up to 5
dollars for a 'rake.' In this case the 🧲 table would only owe 10% up to 3 dollars until
there are a sufficient number of players again. In online 🧲 poker rake breaks are
determined automatically.
Structure considerations [ edit ]
The blinds and antes and
limit structure of the game have 🧲 a significant influence on poker strategy. For
example, it is easier to manipulate pot odds in no-limit and pot-limit games 🧲 than in
limit games. In tournaments, as the size of the forced bets relative to the chip stacks
grows, pressure 🧲 is placed on players to play pots to avoid being anted/blinded
away.[6]
Mindset considerations [ edit ]
In 2014, Bwin conducted a 🧲 study to see what
makes a professional poker player. The brain activity of poker players, of varying
degrees, was monitored 🧲 using EEG headsets and visualised into brain maps.[7] Leading
sports psychologist, James Hazlett, then interpreted the findings:
More experienced
players showed 🧲 higher levels of focus and concentration throughout the game.
The
amateur players had less control over their emotions, and were prone 🧲 to allowing
negative emotions, such as frustration, to distract them.
Whilst opponents were taking
their turn, the expert players opened up 🧲 another table or watched replays of hands they
had played poorly to improve.
The brain maps showed that the professional players 🧲 were
led more by logic and intuition.
The conclusions of the study suggest that poker
players can improve their strategy by 🧲 considering their mindset. Mental training
techniques, commonly used by athletes, could therefore help to improve performance by
working on elements 🧲 such as self-control and concentration.
See also [ edit ]
Poker
plays [ edit ]
Specific games [ edit ]
