Poker: Playing at the Final Table

There are Two Ways to Go

This is one situation where you may consider employing some of those super-savvy poker moves that you’ve seen the pros use. If you’ve been involved in a fairly large tournament with respect to the field size and/or buy-in, players will usually try to play pretty smart when they get down to the final table. Why shouldn’t they? Tournament structure rewards players that can stay out of the action enough to win a higher place.

There are two types of tournament strategies that I recommend depending on what you want to accomplish in the tournament: avoid confrontation or get aggressive.

Let’s say that you have about the average amount of chips and are happy to get in the money. You want to advance and earn 4th or 5th place, but you don’t want to risk a lot. In this case, you’ll probably accomplish your goal if you stay out of the action and avoid confrontations. You probably won’t win the tournament, but that’s not really what you’re shooting for.

It’s easier to play tight at the final table for a few reasons. First of all, most players are pretty proud and satisfied that they made the final table. They might be the kind of player that severely tightens up until they hit the money. Once all of that tension and pressure is off, they often open it up and gamble. Not that I’m the best tournament player ever, but I’ve seen my share of final tables. Usually, one or two players are knocked out within the first few hands of final table play. If you’re looking to move up in the standings, it might be a good idea to wait it out for a few hands.

Speaking of waiting it out, don’t take it to the extreme. Have you ever seen this at a table when you’re down to the money or close to it? The blinds are 1,000/2,000 and the guy who just got the big blind has been folding every hand. He’s in last place and has 400 chips left after this hand. He folds. What the heck? He won’t even have enough to cover the big blind. He’s gambling that someone will else will go broke actually playing before his chips run out and he can sneak into the money. This is just gutless in my opinion. He’s leaving the battle to players with spines, and refuses to play and try to actually get back into the tournament. I just don’t like it.

Back on topic. Let’s suppose, however, that you really want to take that first prize and decent chunk of change down. You’ve got a healthy stack of chips and don’t mind taking some chances. Go for it!

You’ve got to play an aggressive game if you want to win the whole thing. Good cards just don’t come around often enough for you to sit back when the blinds and antes are getting to you. The first step to playing an aggressive final table would be to spot players like I described earlier. These players aren’t going to defend their blinds and if they do come over the top of you, you can know to get out.

The key is having position and power on your opponents. If you really have a chip advantage on the blinds, you can try to run over them from late position with any suited cards, face cards, and pair, or whatever you feel comfortable with. These players might be too timid to even call you, and if they do, you still stand a chance to win. Plus they’re not really going to take a good chunk out of your stack. With some luck and good timing, you’ll be able to knock out some players and end up with all the chips.

Well-timed risks can be rewarded, especially in tournament poker. One of my favorite under-publicized statistics is putting suited connectors all-in against A-K. The suited connectors are going to win at least about 40% of the time. That’s a pretty good chance! Next time your A-K gets beaten all-in against 5-6, remember that Big Slick is still just a drawing hand. You’re not an overwhelming favorite against two live cards. It usually just comes down to whoever pairs one of their cards. If you’re shortstacked, suited connectors can be a good all-in hand.

Poker Versions - 5 Card Draw

PLAYERS: 3 to 6 is ideal.

CARDS: Five cards, all down. BETTING: Two rounds plus ante; betting tends to be relatively low.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Keep a close eye on how many cards each player draws from the deck.

WHAT WINS: Usually a high pair or better. Five-card draw, or draw poker, is one of the oldest poker games, and it is unique in that players have the opportunity to exchange their cards or "draw" from the deck to try and improve their hands. So, if you don't like what you see, you can always try your luck with some new cards. Unlike stud games, players only see the cards in their own hands. (But smart players will pay close attention to how many cards other players draw after the first round of betting, as well as their opponents' betting patterns.)

Before opening the game, the dealer must decide how many cards each player can draw from the deck after the first round of betting. The standard limit is three. In some games, a player may draw four cards if he is holding an Ace, which must be shown to the table. After everyone has put in his or her ante, the dealer deals five cards facedown to each player.

Betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer. He may bet, check, or fold. Betting continues clockwise around the table, and each player has the opportunity to call, raise, or fold. Some people play that it is necessary to have at least a pair of Jacks to open the betting in five-card draw. If the player closest to the dealer's left does not have a pair of Jacks or better, the betting moves clockwise around the table until a player with a pair of Jacks or better can open the betting.

After the first round of betting, all remaining players (those who did not fold) can draw up to three new cards from the deck (sometimes four cards are allowed; see front of card). The player discards the cards he does not want and is then dealt new cards from the top of the deck. Of course, if a player does not want any cards, he can "stand pat" and keep the hand he is holding.

Once all the players have received their new cards, the second round of betting begins. As in the first round, the player closest to the dealer's left opens, and the betting moves clockwise around the table. After all the bets have been placed, the players show their hands—the player with the best hand takes the pot. (For more on hands, see pages 10-12.)

Tips& Stratgey

• Traditionalists believe that to open the betting in five-card draw a player should have at least a four-card flush, four-card straight, or a high pair.

However, if betting is light and you are holding a small pair, a medium pair, or even two high cards, you might want to stay in for the next round. (A high pair is generally a pair of Jacks or higher; a pair of 7s, 8s, 9s or lOs would be considered a medium pair; and a pair of 6s or less is a small pair).

• If the betting is high in the opening round and you are not holding at least a pair, there is a good chance that at least one player has at least a high pair. This is particularly true with more players at the table. However, if players are betting high in the opening round, it indicates strength, regardless of the number of players. Your chances of drawing a hand to beat them are slim, so consider folding (or bluffing) rather than chasing cards in the hopes of improving your hand. You might get lucky on the draw, but, in the long run, you'll save a lot of money by getting out when you should.

• If you are dealt a strong hand—a high three of a kind or better—hold off on raising or opening with a large bet: You do not want to scare off any potential bettors. With a strong hand, play it cool in the opening round and just call bets. In some cases, a raise might work if another player has already raised the opening bet.

• However, if you have a high pair, consider making a fairly high bet. This is a strong hand but certainly not unbeatable. By betting high you might drive out some players and improve your chances of winning the pot.

• It might seem obvious, but to improve your hand on the draw, you need something to draw to. So if you are holding a pair of Kings, keep them and draw three new cards. Players who keep their pair and draw three new cards have a 1 in 3.48 chance of improving their hand. (For more on the probabilities of improving your hand, see page 89—91.)

• In general, it is smarter to build on what you have, rather than chase a possible hand. For instance, if you are dealt 8-9-1O-J-J, don't break up the pair of Jacks in the hopes of drawing to a straight.

• Drawing to a four-flush or a four-straight can pay off. However, going after an inside straight, or a three- straight (three cards in sequence) or three-flush (three suited cards) is risky at best. Smart players don't even try. Drawing to an inside straight (see Glossary, page 106) has very little chance of success and is a common novice mistake. Most professional players will tell you never draw to an inside straight.

• During the draw, keep a close eye on how many cards other players draw. By noting their draw, you will gain some insight into the strength of their hands. In general, if they draw three cards, they are probably holding a pair. If they draw two, they have three of a kind or are foolishly going after a straight or a flush. If they draw one card, they might have two pairs or they may be trying to draw a straight or flush. Players can also stand pat (not draw any cards). This means they are holding a good hand, perhaps a full house, straight, or flush. Or they may be bluffing.

• For bluffers, five-card draw allows two chances to ply their deceit: the betting and the draw. Players try to fool their opponents into thinking they have a better hand by standing pat or drawing just one or two cards or no cards at all and then raising in the second round of betting.

• Try and detect any tells in other players once they pick up their new cards. Did you pick up any reaction when they received their new cards? Do they seem a little too eager to start the second round of betting?

• Another strategic ploy in five-card draw is holding on to a "kicker." A kicker is an extra high card you keep when drawing to a pair. Thus, if you have a low pair, say a pair of 6s, you hold on to a high card in the hopes of getting a high pair to go along with your low pair.

• Holding on to kickers also throws off your opponents. If you draw two cards to a low pair and a high card, your opponents are left to wonder if you are holding three of a kind.

• After the draw, pay attention to how players bet. If they bet aggressively or make a big raise, there is a good chance that they improved their hand (or they're bluffing). If they check the betting or bet modestly, they are probably unsure whether their hand is good enough to win and are playing it safe.

• By the second round, if you feel that your hand has a strong chance of winning, don't be afraid to bet aggressively. At this point, you want to maximize the pot and make your opponents "pay" to see your hand.

Poker Websites

In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in poker websites on the Internet. This is partially due to the rise in popularity of televised poker tournaments. More and more people want to learn to play poker and participate in the excitement of tournament play. If you are one of these people, but don't want to go through the hassle of traveling to a regular casino you need to try poker websites. You can register for free and play anytime you want form the convenience of your home or office.

Poker websites offer the same games you'll find in a casino and you never have to wait for a seat at a table to open up. You can begin playing immediately and can choose from such games as Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven Card Stud and the highly popular Texas Hold'em. You can learn to play from the professionals that run these sites, and you can choose how often you want to play and how much you want to risk. There is never any pressure at poker websites.

The best poker websites offer a wide choice of tournaments including single table tournaments, multi-table tournaments, and even second chance tournaments and turbo-tournaments. There are tournaments starting all of the time and the buy-ins are reasonable. You can not only share in the prize money in a tournament, but also win free entries to big money tournaments. In other words, everything that a poker player could want is available at these websites, so sign up today and make your bets.

Online Poker

Are you a poker player? Can't get the guys together but still want to play? Try online poker. You can play from the comfort of your home right on your computer. In fact, you can find great online poker websites in just a few minutes.

This new fad is fast becoming a demand many people are insisting on. Why? It's convenient and safe. Yes, it's safe. You can win big or just a few bucks. You can play with many people or just a few. You can download the games or play interactively from your home. Online poker is just one of many of the online games you can find as well, but it is one of the most popular.

Online poker can be found all over the net. Here are a couple of great sites to get you started. One website is: http://www.vegaslightscasino.com and another is: http://www.casinodowntown.com. On both of these online gambling sites, you will find online poker. You can find out how to play or, if you are an advanced player, you can play right away. You can even win big your first time out! Online poker is all about the odds and the know how. Anyone can win. Online poker is safe. The sites are insured and have some of the best security for transferring money out there.

Online poker is one of the many online gambling games available on the Internet. It is just one of many ways to enjoy some free time, spend a little cash, meet some friends, and of course, win some money! In fact, you can increase your odds by downloading the free e book available at: http://www.vegaslightscasino.com titled, "Secrets to online casinos: How you can even the odds and beat the casinos"! Now, isn't that worth the trip to the website itself? Enjoy your online poker game!

Poker Calculator Report: Becoming Too Reliant on Software

I had an interesting conversation with a customer of my website last week that brought up some critical points about using poker calculators in your internet game. Through our exchanges I found that – let's say George, was fascinated with calculating the precise mathematical answer for his every move. Let me tell you now, that as a proponent of using poker calculators, you should deem them as merely an assistant that frees up your mind allowing you to concentrate on your opponents.

George was right when he wrote to me and was able to distinguish differences between certain poker calculators and the calculations they make. For example, some use very complex mathematical computations, while others may use more general rounded figures, and still others take Sklansky's group rating and EV factors into consideration. I even had a software firm contact me and ask me to push their poker calculator because it had a new, patent-protected combi-calc configuration that could give superior calculations.

I have had the pleasure and challenge of reviewing nearly all of the poker calculators available on the market today, and I can firmly inform you now, that the calculations served up in any one of them should rank quite low in your decision making process. Firstly, most of them calculate within fractions of each other, thus making this buying factor rather homogenous. Secondly, whether it's 3 percentage points or 7, you just can't confuse 63os with KK. All of the competitive products are going to give the same indications as to whether or not you should be playing your hand – at least mathematically, and therein lies the true value of your poker calculator. It allows your game to evolve around your competition, as well as solid odds play. One without the other is like sitting naked at the poker table. You might as well let it all show.

My friend George got so hung up in the numbers the game, it became his game. And that is a critical error that leads to strategic disadvantages that your opponents will simply nail you with by bluffing you out of pots. George debated with me about win odds, pot odds, EV, turn, and river odds, when I basically had to stop and remind him that at a certain point the numbers become inconsequential when the human game begins, and threading hairs here will do nothing for his game. George would probably be better off playing sudoku.

Holdem Indicator is a new poker calculator that actually helps in the odds and mind game as not only does it show win odds, pot odds, EV and Sklansky ratings, but it also tracks your opponents tendencies and applies a profile icon that you can use against them while playing a hand. There is a free offer for this product on my website and works with all major poker sites.

Poker History

Currently and probably for the foreseeable future, poker remains the world's most popular card game with legions of poker players, casual and dedicated, amateur and professional. Poker has literally hundreds of variations of which stud, draw and hold'em are most often played.

The basics of poker games are pretty much the same. Players are dealt concealed cards or a combination of concealed and face-up cards, or concealed cards to the individual players and face-up community cards for all players use as in hold'em poker games.

Traditional poker hands in order of importance are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair. Wagers are made into a central pot to be awarded to the player with the best hand.

The game of poker goes back a long way. Many people believe that card games played in Germany (Pachen) and France (Poque) around the 17th century may have been the very beginnings of the game we all know and love.

What we do know for sure is that an early developmental form of poker was being played in the United States before the Civil War. The game was played with only Twenty cards, aces, face cards and tens (A-K-Q-J-10) and was gaining popularity over the then favorite card game of three card monte. Around the 1850s, the full English deck of fifty-two cards was introduced.

A larger deck meant more players could participate and the pots would be larger – a gambler's dream come true!

Within a few years, inventive minds developed the flush, the straight, games such as draw and stud and wild cards. But even more importantly, the draw of additional cards and the ability to change the value of one's hand, changed poker from a game of chance to a game of skill.

From the saloons and gaming parlors of New Orleans to the river boats plying the Mississippi, poker's popularity spread. After the Civil War, the game of poker followed the settlers, drifters and gamblers to the unknown frontier of the early west.

It was there in the town of Deadwood, in Dakota Territory on August 2, 1876, that a poker hand became a legendary symbol of western lore. The hand was aces and eights (two pair) and was held by none other than the storied gunfighter James Butler, better known as "Wild Bill" Hickok. He was shot from behind while playing a round of poker and that hand of aces and eights became forever more known as "the dead man's hand".

The popularity of the game continued to grow and was spread worldwide by the United States military in the two great wars. Although poker remained popular after World War II, it was not a big money maker for the casinos in Las Vegas. However, thanks to a Texas cowboy named Benny Binion, poker is now the world's most popular game.

Benny owned a casino on Fremont Street in what is now referred to as "downtown" Las Vegas. In 1970, the Binion's Horseshoe played host to a poker tournament that has morphed into the gargantuan World Series of Poker that today is entered by thousands and watched on television by millions.

Poker Gambling Online

Poker gambling is an exciting new hobby that many people of all ages have started recently. The recent popularity of televised poker tournaments have caused many people to wish to learn the game of poker.

Poker gambling is a card game that involves both skill and a little bit of luck. There are many different types of poker gambling games that can be played such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, Razz, and HORSE. The game is played with a group of people betting (usually chips, but sometimes coins) if they think they have the best hand. Among really good poker hands are four of a kind (four cards that are all the same – such as four Kings), a straight (a sequence of cards such as a two, three, four, five and six), a flush (four cards of the same suit), and a straight flush (a sequence of cards that are all the same suit). The best hand in poker gambling is the royal flush – the ten, Joker, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. This is very rare, but there is no other hand that can beat it. In some games of poker gambling, players share community cards that are placed in the middle of the table.

There is also another type of poker gambling found at casinos known as video poker. Video poker is played by the same rules as regular poker, but it is a slot machine so you do not play against others, but rather try to get the best poker hand to win.

Online Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow poker is a Western spin on the ancient Chinese game Pai Gow, which used special dominos and dice. Pai Gow is a complicated, slow-paced game that was social in nature and rarely seen outside of Asia.

Pai Gow poker combines this ancient Chinese game and classic Western poker. It first appeared in Vegas casinos in 1986, so it's still a relatively new game when compared to other casino games. Its popularity has dramatically increased over the past ten years, particularly where online play is concerned, and this surge in online popularity is largely due to improvements in technology that allow a graphically pleasing and accurate online representation.

Pai Gow poker is played with a regular 53-card deck that includes the Joker. The ranking of hands mimics that seen in traditional poker, with the exception that the joker plus four aces rank the highest. The object is to use seven dealt cards to create two hands that will beat the dealer's two hands.

A unique component of Pai Gow Poker is that any participant can request to be the banker. When this occurs, players compare their hands to the player-banker rather than the house dealer. The player-banker wins all ties, collects losing wagers, and pays winners from their own pocket. When there is a player-banker, the house collects a five percent commission on any winning hands. In Pai Gow, the house advantage is 2.5 percent, although this becomes almost even when a player becomes the banker.

There aren't many differences between online Pai Gow poker and the in-casino version. The most obvious difference that does exist, however, is that an online player is alone with the dealer. Traditionally, five or six players will be at a Pai Gow table at once. Although this may take some of the excitement out of playing, it gives the online player more control over his or her playing environment. An online player may choose to play without a lot of noise and other distractions. Cocktail waitresses, other conversations, or other casino-related sites and sounds do not interrupt the player. When playing Pai Gow online, players therefore find themselves in a better environment for maintaining focus and thinking through each decision. Further, there are no time constraints placed upon these decisions.

When playing Pai Gow poker online, players are dealt seven cards face up and the goal is simply to beat the hands of the dealer. Once dealt the seven cards, players will split them into two hands of two cards and five cards, and the rank of the latter must be greater than that of the former. Whether the player wins, looses, or ties depends on how the dealer splits its hand.

Pai Gow poker is now available in most Online Casinos. It's an interesting spin on a classic, and might offer a nice change of pace for those needing a little variety in their poker play.

Casino Games Mastering Software

In real casinos the use of computers and different electronic facilities is forbidden (though some casinos allow to use, for example notebook PCs while playing the roulette). In on-line casinos the situation is quite different – the very game is played by using a computer, and it is very difficult to forbid the use the support programs here. A question arises whether a player is capable to get the advantage over casinos using computer programs.

Training programs: One of the most wide spread types of casino programs are training programs. A novice acquires an opportunity to practice the casino game, familiarize with rules, controls and possibilities of the game. Video-poker and BlackJack programs are devised to teach the basic strategy of the game. They give prompts if the player makes decisions different from optional decisions. If players wants they can find programs helping train the card counting. Therefore training programs will be of use both for on-line and off-line players.

Analyzing programs: The next type of programs are analyzing programs. Normally, such programs are developed for casino games with wide range of rules and basic strategy (for example for video-poker and Black Jack). The main aim of such programs is the calculation of mathematic expectation, dispersion and basic strategy of the game. Black Jack programs can provide coefficients for popular counting systems. Such programs infrequently have a training module or the represent a package together with a training program. Casinos analyzing programs also include analyzing programs of roulette strategies. In a sense, the program is that you set a supposed strategy of the game and the program generates several millions of spins and shows how much you lose- a useful thing for those who like "never lose" roulette strategies. As you can see analyzing programs are not less and probably even more useful for real casino players.

On-line Casino Game Helpers: The third type of programs which can be called "On-line Casino Game Helpers" is required only for Internet casinos. Within this type of statistics gathering programs were popular reading off data from the screen and providing these data to the player for analysis, however nowadays almost all on-line casinos provide statistics therefore there is no any necessity for such programs. Now programs still exist which provide recommendations in respect of game optimization. Simple programs have the basic strategy, more complex programs immediately recalculate an optimal strategy of Black Jack depending on the card out of the game, that is they automate the process of card counting. But in on-line casinos their use is limited, because the casinos usually shuffle cards after each deal.

On-line Casino "Bots": Finally, the fourth type of programs, again on-line programs, which includes "Bots" (a contracted form of "robots"). Bots are designed to fully automate the process of playing, for that purpose they read off the information from the screen, make decisions in accordance with set program (usually based on the basic strategy) and emulate movements and pressing of the mouse button. On-line casinos are quite tolerant towards the programs of the first three types, however, the use of bots in all on-line casinos is forbidden. The problem is not that the program can outgame casinos- it might be possible only in casino games beneficial for the player which can be hardly found on-line. On-line casinos are rather afraid of bonus hunters because using a bot you can easily "wash for" bonuses flat bet day after day.

However, judging by unproved rumours the biggest gain of $1.2 mln in on-line casinos was acquired using a bot (the game on $10000 in Caribbean 21).

Programs of first three types are freely sold. On-line Casino "Bots" programmers usually write for their own purpose. There are people using their written robots for simple "washing for" bonuses following the basic strategy, although they do not intend to sell them- they are afraid of toughening measures on the part of casinos in case of frequent use of the bots.

As a matter of fact, one more type of programs exist which can be characterized in short as "DECEPTION OF BUYERS". If you see a program promising "never lose" roulette game (exact calculation of a falling number and manual control of a falling number) or cracking the casino server with accruing lots of money for you, pass by. At least will get nothing for your money and at most you will get the Trojan horse or lose relying on empty promises.

On-line Poker Programs: On-line poker programs are worth particular consideration. They include the programs of the four above mentioned types. Trainers exist enabling you to try to take on artificial intelligence (AI) of the program. At the same time some programs will advise you on the game optimization (at the extend as it is understood by the creators of the program). Analyzing programs exist calculating your chance for improving up to different combinations and running various simulations, for example they can compare the force of two aces and two twos. On-line casino helpers usually work with statistics. If earlier programs tried to gather statistics from the screen, now they import standard logs of poker rooms. Based on these logs information is provided in respect of the player and opponents. Your statistics can be analyzed when you have spare time finding negative points and the statistics on your opponents can be displayed on the screen while playing to optimise game decision making. Moreover programs exist gathering and providing information on players you have never played with and which are not included into your statistics, however, poker rooms started on cracking down on these programs. Quite often you can see the warning on poker room web sites:

Q. Can you give me a list of acceptable programs?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and permit:

1. GameTime+

2. Holdem Inspector

3. PokerAce Heads Up

4. PokerOffice

5. PokerTracker

6. PokerWeapon

7. Texas Calculatem

Q. Can you give me a list of programs which are prohibited?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and prohibit:

1. PokerEdge

2. PokerProphecy

3. StarSpy

4. WinHoldem

5. PokerSherlock

Poker bots exist and you can buy them but without an interface which will press buttons instead of you, however, experts make them quite easily. A bot championship with the prize fund of $100000 took place simultaneously with a recently ended WSOP tournament.

Although poker room bots are not desirable clients, poker rooms trying to crack down on them as well, and while improving poker bots fight against them will be tougher. The fact is that bots make the game less interesting for most players, sway of bots will result in giving up playing poker in Internet.

In general casino programs enable to minimize losses (in off-line even to pass to a beneficial game) and poker programs if used properly may considerably improve the game quality and make you a good plus player.

© Copyright 2006-2007 www.Bonus-Map.com

Playing Low Limit Shorthanded Holdem Online

When it comes to playing shorthanded games online, one size definitely does not fit all. Certain concepts, aggression being the most important, are paramount no matter WHAT level you are playing; but the low limit games with its preponderance of loose, passive opponents mandate a slightly different style of play be used to maximize profits.

As at any level of poker, starting hand selection is key. At Party Poker's lowest level, the six seated tables are littered with players who see 60 to 70 percent of flops. We advocate that you keep your percentage somewhere around 30. While you are ditching your long term losers, most of your opponents will be bleeding money by playing negative expected value hands.

While position is important in Texas Holdem, it is much less important in low limit shorthanded play. Pre-flop raising is infrequent, so you will rarely be "punished" for limping with a hand of moderate strength. We advocate the following starting hands recommendations: Raise with pairs down to Nine, Ace-King to Ace-Ten, King-Queen, King-Jack and Queen-Jack suited. Limp with any suited Ace, Ace-nine and Ace-eight, Queen-Jack, King-Ten, Queen-Ten and Jack-Ten. King-nine can be played late, and Queen-Nine and Jack-nine are optional in late position. Play pocket sevens and sixes anywhere. Lower pocket pairs can be played if there are two limpers ahead of you. Suited connectors down to seven-six should also be played in an unraised pot. Other suited hands to be played are Queen-Nine, Queen-Eight, Jack-Nine and King-Nine. Jack-Eight and Ten-Eight can be played late.

Beware of playing too many hands in the blinds. Even tight players get caught limping in the small blind with poor hands. This is a long term money loser. Stretch your opening hand list only slightly in the small blind, and don't be too eager to call raises in the big blind. Remember, most of these players raise only with top-notch holdings, so you'll probably be at a disadvantage if you call a raise.

Shorthanded Poker is typically characterized by raising and aggression. However, this is often less effective at the lowest limits. Your pre-flop raises will typically be called in several places. At higher limits, raising with hands like pocket sevens is an effective strategy, as against a single caller you will probably be a favorite. However, this play is a loser at low limit shorthanded holdem. You will not be able to bully your way to pots very frequently. When you have raised with your big cards and missed the flop, position becomes most important. Frequently you will be up against three or more opponents. If you've missed the flop and are last, take a free turn card if possible, or fold to an opponent's bet. Against two opponents, bet the flop and use your judgement on future streets as to whether you think you can bet them off the hand. Low limit players will generally call you down with any pair, so bluffing them on the river is a long term losing play. If they've stuck with you that long, checking (and then folding) is probably your best course of action.

If you've hit your flop, whether you raised or limped pre-flop, you must be extremely aggressive. Your starting hands are more solid than everyone else's. The low limit players' tendency to chase to the river with poor holdings must be punished. Bet and raise with impunity. If you are in the blinds and flop top pair, even with a weak kicker, by all means check raise. Punish other players for trying to steal pots or betting their middle pair. This will pay off handsomely, as they will remember being check raised and give you free cards later on. Remember also that top pair is a stronger hand in shorthanded games than it is in ten player games, so treat it as such. If you've flopped top pair, it is unlikely that one of the other two cards to make top pair landed in the other ten cards dealt to the table. Raise any bettors with top pair, regardless of the kicker, unless there was a preflop raiser. One last note on post-flop play: If you are heads up with someone, throw in a bluff raise occasionally. Many of your opponents are inexperienced and will drop their hands in the face of a raise.

With the plethora of poor players at the lowest limits of shorthanded poker, the game is ripe for the picking. Aggression, while still very important, must be toned down a bit, however, in the face of the numerous calling stations you're likely to find at these tables. So remain tight, play VERY aggressively when you've hit something, but don't try to bully your way to too many pots and you'll build a big bankroll by swimming with the fish.