Texas Holdem Strategy

My easy to learn strategy for Texas Holdem will have you playing and winning in no time.  The Texas Holdem Poker Strategy that I am recommending is considered ‘playing tight’. 

Playing tight means that you will only play the best starting hands.  This will limit the number of hands that you will play. Playing any starting hand is considered playing loose while limiting your play to the stronger hands is considered playing tight.

I am going to put the starting hands into two groups:

I consider Group 1 hands as the best of the best.  You can play these hands no matter where you are seated at the table. If you have any of these hands you can raise from any position and re-raise if the pot is raised.

I would recommend playing Group 2 hands from middle and late position if you are new to Texas Holdem Poker.  If you have experience playing or as you gain experience, you can begin to introduce the Group 2 hands into your game when you are seated in early position.  You can also raise with these hands and re-raise.

Limit yourself to only the Group 1 and 2 starting hands.  This means that you will be folding the majority of your starting Texas Holdem Poker hands.

If you have one of the best hands, I recommend that you raise your opponents.  A raise does a couple of things for you.

• tells you who else may have a strong hand (if they re-raise)
• forces a player with a bad hand to fold
• gets more money into the pot

How to Play the Flop

When the three flop cards are dealt you need to see if you have improved your hand. If you have improved your hand you must ask yourself if you think this hand is good enough to win the pot.

If you have improved your hand on the flop or still feel you have a good chance of winning, I recommend that you raise.  If you have not improved or don’t feel that your hand is good enough to win then I recommend folding.

How to Play the Turn

When the turn card is dealt you again must assess whether or not you have improved your hand and if the hand you have is good enough to win the pot.  If you think it is then I recommend raising.

How to Play the River

When the river card is dealt you again must assess whether or not you have improved your hand and if the hand you have is good enough to win the pot.  If you think it is then I recommend raising.  Of course if you think you have lost then do not hesitate to fold and save your money for the next hand.

 A Quick Summary of my Texas Holdem Poker strategy is:

1. Play only the best starting hands. Fold the rest.
2. Bet or raise if you have one of the best starting hands
3. Bet or raise after the flop if you have improved your hand. If not, then fold your hand.
4. Bet or raise after the Turn and River if you have improved your hand. If not, then fold your hand.

Many losing poker players play way too many starting hands.  Play the best starting hands and you’ll put yourself on a path to being a winning poker player.

The best way to improve your game is to play and practice. If you're looking for a place to play Texas Holdem Poker online, visit any of our recommended online poker rooms where you can play for free or in real money games.