So you’ve played a few games of Texas Hold ‘Em, and while you might know the basics, you’d like to take your game to the next level ahead of this month’s Poker Tournament & Casino Party Benefit. While this is an amateur tournament where all skill levels are welcome, it’s always fun to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Here are six tips to level up:
1. Bluff sparingly.
While bluffing is probably one of the most well-known poker strategies, Greg Walker at The Poker Bank points out that bluffing really isn’t as necessary as many beginners think. “If you are a beginner online poker player, it is better to play your cards well rather than trying to bluff your opponents out of hands,” Walker writes. “It is good to try occasional bluffs here and there, but the real art of knowing when to bluff comes from knowledge and practice.”
2. Don’t be afraid to fold.
This tip comes from About.com poker expert Adam Stemple, who advises not to stay in the game just because you feel you’ve already committed. If you know you have a bad hand and that it’s unlikely to improve, it’s probably best to put the cards down.
3. Consider your position at the table.
Especially in Texas Hold’em, where you sit at the table can make a difference. According to Walker, the best place to be is where you are the last person to take action on a hand. That gives you the advantage of getting a better idea of what kind of hand other players might have before it’s your turn.
4. Forget about the suited cards.
Getting excited over having a pair of suited cards in the hope they’ll become a flush could be a mistake, Walker writes. Flushes aren’t very common, and there’s a chance that you could even lose to a higher flush. According to Walker, a hand of suited cards only improves that hand by 2% compared to if your hand was not a suite.
5. Know the rules.
Whether you’ve played the game before and need a refresher or find yourself clueless at a poker table, brush up on the basic rules of Texas Hold’em from the folks at World Series of Poker.
6. Have fun!
Don’t forget, you’re playing a fun game and supporting a great cause while you do it! Win or lose, you’ll be supporting San Francisco public schools and programs that directly benefit students. You’ll also enjoy appetizers, an open bar, music and the company of fellow public school supporters. So relax, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
Don’t yet have a ticket for this event? Buy your ticket today and RSVP on Facebook to let your friends know you’re going! Ticket proceeds benefit public school students, and top finishers in the tournament can choose which San Francisco Education Fund programs and/or partner public schools they would like to donate their “winnings” to. They’ll also win a fabulous prize, like a stay in a luxury hotel in Hawaii!
