Most important hold em concepts

[spurgeon]

What do you guys think are the most important concepts in texas hold em in a nutshell? My list: 1) Play tight before the flop. 2) Do not call raises with offsuit hands. 3) Pay attention to potsize.

[Caruso329]

[ QUOTE ]
2) Do not call raises with offsuit hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

So true, I always call raises only when my aces are suited.

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
2) Do not call raises with offsuit hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

So true, I always call raises only when my aces are suited.

[/ QUOTE ]
you just call raises with AA? thats exactly what hes saying is a big mistake, no? /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[dachord]

Heh, heh, you opened yourself up for a lot of ribbing. The fact is, there are no easy answers to your question, if there was, we'd all be in the WSOP. If you are a novice and not very experienced at reading your opponents, take this advice: Only open or call raises with the following: AA,KK,QQ,JJ,TT,99,88,AK,AQ,KQ. Suited cards are fine to limp in with, but are usually folding cards when an opponent comes in with a decent raise. In the meantime, hit the bookstore, there are books out there that go into far greater detail on the finer points of playing. Good luck.

[BusterStacks]

1) Don't fold.

[Rubeskies]

[ QUOTE ]
1) Don't fold.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ever

[bear187]

Unless you have five cards of the same suit, then fold. This is called a flush, and if you see it to the river it flushes all your money away.

[gila]

[ QUOTE ]
Unless you have five cards of the same suit, then fold. This is called a flush, and if you see it to the river it flushes all your money away.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sadly, this is actually true for me lately.

[7ontheline]

The only rule I stick to is to play with players who are (I think hopefully) worse than I am. Thank goodness for the internet, where even mediocre players can turn a profit. . .

[Grindin']

For the beginner, hand selection and position are the two most important concepts. As you become better, you start playing the people more than the cards and can play a greater variety of hands.

[The-Matador]

Reading and playing the flop correctly is the most inportant "concept". Tight play before the flop is the cornerstone of successful play, of course, but the most money is lost by bad players who make poor flop decisions, which lead to poor turn decisions, etc.

I've played against tables of my friends (who are wretched) where I have gone for an entire night being in every single pot, no matter my starting cards. I still come out ahead, because they don't have a clue what to do on the flop and I do. Flop play (and the mistakes that start to snowball on you there) is the biggest single gap between a good and a bad player.

[pryor15]

1. know when to hold 'em.

2. know when to fold 'em.

3. know when to walk away.

4. know when to run.

[47outs]

1) play tight preflop
2) playerview with a huge PT database

[pfkaok]

[ QUOTE ]

1. know when to hold 'em.

2. know when to fold 'em.

3. know when to walk away.

4. know when to run.

[/ QUOTE ]

5.never count your money when you're sittin' at the table

6. there'll be plenty time for countin'... when the dealin's done

[sthief09]

the ability to make old people hate you

[Weektite]

My most important concept (and one I struggle with all the time):

Do not be results-oriented. Playing well does not mean winning the pot.

[Voltron87]

Game selection. It always plays second fiddle to other things, but to me it is king.

And #2? Do not call raises with offsuit hands? Have fun with that.

[jaxUp]

[ QUOTE ]

I've played against tables of my friends (who are wretched) where I have gone for an entire night being in every single pot, no matter my starting cards.

[/ QUOTE ]

I love games like this /images/graemlins/cool.gif