First and foremost go get yourself a Full Tilt poker account. It’s free to signup and you’ll need it to learn how to win at Texas Hold’em. If you’ve got any confidence whatsoever, deposit $50. If not play, for free until you are confident.
Poker has been glorified by the WSOP. The producers of these shows only show you 1% of the hands played during the tournament. That’s why it seems like there is so much action going on all the time. That’s why when new players signup for their online poker account they expect to jump in and win huge pots. Basically all that to say that patience is the key to winning at poker.
In my opinion patience accounts for 70% of the puzzle when you’re playing beginner poker. If you can sit in front of your computer and fold the majority of your hands you will win at poker. That’s not to say you can fold good cards. You just need to wait for good cards before you even consider playing.
While you’re being so patient you’ll have a lot of time to think about what the best cards are. This is 20% of the winning poker equation. If you’re patient and wait for the good cards and bet them, you’ll win pots.
So what are the best cards for beginner poker?
If you’re in early position you’ll want to play only the best cards: A-A, K-K, and A-Ks. You’ll want to raise with these cards as they are the power hands of poker. You’ll want to call with A-K, A-Qs, K-Qs, Q-Q, J-J, and 10-10. Everything else you fold. Sound crazy?
If you’re in middle position you’ll want to call with 9-9, 8-8, A-Js, Q-Js, A-Q, K-Q. Pay attention to the little ‘s’. This means your cards should be suited. That means you probably shouldn’t play a A-J if it’s not suited.
In late position you’re in a dominating position, so here you’ll want to call with A-Xs, K-10s, Q-Ts, J-10s, A-J, A-10 and small pairs. If someone is raising into you, you should fold.
So now you’re waiting for premium cards and playing only premium cards.
If your premium hands don’t hit on the flop you’ll be tempted to bluff. Don’t! You might pick up a couple extra bucks bluffing but early on you’ll only lose your shorts, so don’t bluff.
The last 10% of winning is betting the best hand. If you’ve got premium cards and hit with those premium cards its likely you have the best hand. If you think you have the best hand then raise, if not than call / check. Before you long you’ll have a healthy stack to start experimenting with different poker strategies. See its not so hard to learn to play poker. So you’re tired of giving away your free poker money? Don’t tell me you just lost your paycheck! If so you need more help than this poker guide can provide. Anyway, if you’re ready to win at playing Texas Holdem strap in.
