Strategy

Position is one of the most important concepts in No-Limit Texas Hold’em. Position can greatly impact your stack. For example, if you trap an opponent with the help of position, you can win his entire stack. Compare this to earning a couple of extra bets in Limit Texas Hold’em.

Another difference between Limit and No-Limit is that big connectors decrease in value when playing No-Limit. The reason is that you have an opportunity to double through your opponents if you hit a set. Consequently, big pairs increase in value in a No-Limit game. Big pairs also give you a chance to trap an opponent.

When playing No-Limit it is vital to keep track of the amount of money you and your opponents have on the table. The size of a players stack greatly affects how he plays the game. For example, you and your opponent both have $100 and the blinds are $2-$4. You hold a QQ and bet $20, while your opponent goes all in. Unless you know that your opponent does not hold AA or KK you should fold. However, if your opponent instead re-raised with $60 you should call.

What To Do Before the Flop

Sometimes referred to as “the Cadillac of poker”, No-Limit Texas Hold’em is not for the faint hearted. Avoid playing marginal hands if you are a beginner to No-Limit Texas Hold’em as the guessing will leave you vulnerable. Instead restrict yourself to playing only pairs as well as AK and AQ. As you will not be playing very many hands this requires a great deal of discipline. However, this strategy the extra time provides you with an ample opportunity to study the game and your opponents. Here are some pieces of general pre-flop advice that should make your early days of playing No-limit Texas Hold’em a little easier:

• Generally raise or re-raise with top pairs down to QQ and top connectors down to AQ. Your goal is to make opponents with low pairs and connectors pay to see the flop.
• Only see the flop with premium hands.
• Keep most raises to between 70 percent and 100 percent of the pot. This to save money if you get re-raised or called by a stronger hand. With limpers in front of you, raise about five times the big blind.
• Respect strong/tight players. For example, fold your AQ if a strong player raises under the gun.
• Generally see the flop when there are weak players in the pot.
• Mix up your play to avoid becoming predictable.

No-Limit Texas Hold’em DOs and DON’Ts

Do

• Be selective when choosing a table. You should only play in games where you have an edge. Also, you want a couple of weak players at the table.
• Play the players. It is important to immediately evaluate the opposition.
• Pump it or dump it. Either fold or bet/raise. Avoid calling unless you have a valid motive, like trapping an opponent.
• Be respectful of a majority of big bets and raises, especially on the turn and the river. Most players do not bluff.
• Raise pre-flop with a premium hand. This puts pressure on limpers with drawing hands.

Don’t

• Play too many starting hands. For example, fold AJ under the gun.
• Call with weak cards when facing a bet.
• Hold on to a decent hand when beat. You could lose your whole stack on one hand.
• Over or under bet the pot. When over betting your risk a lot to win a little, under protecting means that you are not protecting your hand.

More Links

• Everest Poker