Not understanding strategy and tactics can be a major flawin your poker game. Knowing them can even help you inunderstanding articles and poker books that teach you howthe games are played.
Playing poker as a string of tactically optimal plays does notgenerally lead to an optimal strategy. However, an optimalplaying strategy will lead to optimal playing tactics.
Strategy is about the big picture. An optimal strategy is onethat maximizes your expected playing result over the long term.Think of strategies as things that have to be in place beforeyou even set down at the playing table. Here are the basics:Bankroll, Playing Limit Selection, Game Table Selection, andSeat Selection.
Here are 2 examples:
1 - Have you heard, Scared money can’t win at poker? That’sbankroll. Buy in for twice the normal amount. Your comfortlevel will be better and this will help you play better.Other players will see you are serious and will attack you lessbecause they will not think you’re scared.
If you selection a $4/$8 limit game and only have $100 for thebuy-in normally $400, it’s is almost impossible to play correcttactically. With this bankroll, play in a $1/$2 game.
2 - If you select a game with a lot of very tight players no amountof tactical superiority will win as much money as you would winby play at a table full of loose players. Ask the floor manager atthe casino for a table change. Move to a new table online easily.
Tactics are about the individual decisions you make at the table.An optimal tactic is one that maximizes the expected result of the particular situation. Here are the basic tactics: Calling, Checking,Betting, raising, check raising, Slowplaying, semi-bluff, and bluffing.
Here are 2 examples:
1 - You bought into a $4/$8 limit holdem game for $800. You are thefirst player to act in a hand and you have Pocket Aces! The correcttactical play is to Raise. An easy and comfort play to make becauseof your buy-in strategy.
2 - You bought into a $3/$6 limit holdem game for $600. You are thelast player to act[ on the button ]. Your pocket cards are Jack and Tenof Spades. The flop is K of spades, Q of spades and three of clubs.5 players check before you then you bet. This is a semi-bluff but tacticallycorrect. You have an open-ended Royal Flush, straight flush and straightdraw. You are a 60% favorite to win this hand.
So, does strategies and tactics matter? Yes!
Reread poker articles and books will the knowledge that correct strategymust be in place and use correctly before you get to the table.
Alvin Davis, teaches a team of Holdem player at:www.guerrillamlm.com/holdem.html
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