October 3, 2007
Poker strategy concepts
Be able to switch gears if you get stuck in a losing streak. Don’t just start playing aggressively trying to turn bad hands around. The best strategy is to do the opposite, gear down and play fewer hands. Wait out your streak of bad luck; eventually it will pass.
Study your opponents and learn to anticipate their actions. When hands are turned over at showdown, notice who’s holding what. Try to recall betting patterns earlier in the hand. When possible make notes of players’ patterns.
Bluffing can be a powerful poker strategy but it should only be used sparingly. It’s not a good idea to bluff a loose player. It’s unlikely the will fold. Your best chance to successfully bluff is when you’re up against a tight player with a relatively small pot.
These basic poker strategy concepts apply to all forms of poker. Keep in mind that each variation of poker is quite different, and will have its own specific strategies and tactics. Learn to combine these basic strategies with game-specific tactics. The best way to win at poker is to learn these strategies and practice, practice, practice. Like any skill it will take time and effort to become a proficient and dangerous poker player.