April 3, 2007

The Shuffle, the Deal, and the Blind: Getting Started on Texas Hold'em

This is how all Texas Hold'em games are played, with the shuffle, the deal, and the blind. The shuffle, the deal, and the blind are the steps that start the game. First, the dealer shuffles a standard 52-card deck. If the game is in a casino, the dealer never plays. Then, the dealer deals. A round disc, also known as a dealer button, moves with each hand, from player to player, in clockwise motion. The button indicates which player gets to be the dealer if, as the game progresses, deals are advanced from player to player. More on The Shuffle, the Deal, and the Blind: Getting Started on Texas Hold'em

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April 2, 2007

Starting Hands Selection: Which to Hold, Which to Fold

Which starting hands are worth staying in with and which ones should you fold? The answer to this question is crucial to the fate of your pocket. After all, playing your starting hand is always a challenge, more so because you should always factor your position when deciding how to play your hand. So, what Hold'em starting hands should you play in different positions? More on Starting Hands Selection: Which to Hold, Which to Fold

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Worst Starting Hands in Texas Hold'em: Which Ones Are They?

The worst starting hands in Texas Hold'em give even seasoned players headaches. Being dealt one of the worst starting hands, however, is no reason to play like a donkey. In poker, a donkey is a bad player who unabashedly makes bad poker plays. The first step in playing a solid game even after being dealt one of the worst starting hands is to know what the worst starting hands are. Know your enemies. More on Worst Starting Hands in Texas Hold'em: Which Ones Are They?

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April 1, 2007

Understanding Position in Poker: Why Position in Poker Will Affect Your Game

The moment you sit in gaming tables, the first term you will hear tossed here and there is "position." For example, you might hear some players grumble, "I hate getting this hand in early position!" Position in poker is where a player sits in reference to other players. So, when you hear someone say, "I've got position on you," it means that this player sits on your left and will always act after you've played. In common gaming practice, position in poker describes where a player sits, in reference to the dealer. It also determines who acts first or last in a round of betting. The Dealer Position in Poker dealer position Bear in mind that your position in poker is always relative to the dealer for that hand's position. To give all players equal time in all positions, deals rotate around the table. Where position in poker is concerned, being in the dealer position, also referred to as being "on the button," is a good position in poker to find one's self in, particularly in games like Texas Hold'em. Why? More on Understanding Position in Poker: Why Position in Poker Will Affect Your Game

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Poker Terms: 25 Words You Can't Play Poker And Not Know

You cannot play poker and not know poker terms. A working knowledge of poker terms is a requisite to skillful playing. It's unthinkable for a surgeon not to know what a catheter is. In the same manner, its highly irregular for a poker player not to know poker terms. Below are a few poker terms. If you're a poker pro, check if your grasp of the term is correct. If you're a beginner, it's wise to brush up on your personal repository of poker terms. BANKROLL: Current total gambling funds available; not to be confused with STAKE BET: To put money into the pot, in accordance with game regulations BET FOR VALUE: Betting a completed or partial hand that, in the long run, is expected to win more than it lose BICYCLE: The best possible low hand: A:2:3:4:5. This is also called a WHEEL. BIG BLIND: An early forced bet, usually a raise of an earlier blind which would be called the SMALL BLIND BIG BOBTAIL: An open:ended 4:card straight flush. More on Poker Terms: 25 Words You Can't Play Poker And Not Know

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March 31, 2007

Play 3d Strip Poker Online

There's no reason why you can't play 3d strip poker online. There are many strip poker software that you can download for free and continue availing of for a few months, free of charge. To the uninitiated, strip poker is a game of poker played with creative stakes. Those who lose have to take off articles of their clothing. Many people prefer to play 3d strip poker online because online, they do not have to deal with the pressure of stripping in front of, or beside, their opponents. Yes, there is something very liberating about strip poker, especially when played online and with people halfway around the world. So, what happens when you play 3d strip poker online? More on Play 3d Strip Poker Online

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Basic Poker Tells: Body Language To Avoid in Yourself But Avidly Look for in Others

Have you heard of poker tells? You don't need to be psychic to be a good poker player. After all, what you will be reading are your opponents, not the future. One of the key skills that separates simply good poker playing from the inspired is the ability to spot poker tells. Poker tells are any physical reactions or habits that reveal information about the hand the player has. It may be a twitch of the eyebrow or a shaking of hand hand. It could be a grim face, or the penchant for whistling. Body language is a powerful giveaway, and to make sure that yours isn't giving your hand away, be sure to watch for the following common poker tells. Poker Tells that Scream of a Winning Shaking Hands If you notice a player's hands shaking while he places a bet, it's most likely that he has gotten a fearsome hand. That, or the spasm is a sign of a heart attack that will follow. Rapid Breathing Most players, especially seasoned ones, are able to keep tight rein on the shakes. Few can control rapid breathing. If you can see a player's chest heave up and down most visibly, they have an excellent hand. This, or they really are going to have a heart attack and you had better call for an ambulance. More on Basic Poker Tells: Body Language To Avoid in Yourself But Avidly Look for in Others