Basic Poker Strategy

Player’s Poker Style

Tight aggressive is the most desirable style. However a player should be able to adjust his style

to the demands of the table.

Poker Player Styles

Player Style Needs Flexibility

• When becoming short stacked a player will need to loosen up

• Playing against very aggressive players, tighten up

• When playing very tight players, loosen up

• On the money bubble, providing chips allow, loosen up

The majority of poker players lose money

Players who win consistently

Players who lose consistently

Being a winner in poker is not about winning pots

But making correct decisions

You don’t go broke folding a hand

Be a wolf

Not a sheep

Wolf Vs Sheep Characteristics

Sheep

1. Plays too many hands

2. Passive when in the hand.

3. Plays hands regardless of position.

4. Calls often

Wolf

1. Plays fewer hands but committed

2. Aggressive when in the hand

3. Plays hands according to position.

4. Bets or raises often

Calling is passive not aggressive poker

If you are making money just calling ..then you are not calling

enough

Position

4 Types

• Late position (best position)

• Blinds ( good position pre flop but terrible position after the flop)

• Middle position (Exercise caution)

• Early Position ( Worst position)

Position

Late position

Middle position

Early position

Blinds

Position Matters

The later the position, the more information you have on which to

base your decisions

In Poker as in any form of investment, the better

informed you are, the better your decision making

Guide to Position and starting hands

Pot odds and outs

How to calculate outs and the pot odds required

Outs

Outs are, the number of cards left in the deck, that could improve you hand to the winning hand

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Pot Odds

Once you have calculated your outs, you now have to determine whether you are getting the correct financial

return for the risk

Calculating your odds

The rule of Two and Four

(an easy cheat that skips the complicated math)

Rule of Four(after the Flop)

After the flop with two cards to come… Outs x 4 = percentage chance

ExampleAfter the flop you have a flush draw and an

open ended straight drawOuts = 9 cards for the flush and eight cards

for the straight17 x 4 = 68%

You are better than 2 to 1 favourite to win

Rule of two(after the turn)

After the turn with one card to come… Outs x 2 = percentage chance

ExampleAfter the turn you still have a flush

draw and an open ended straight draw, but now your chances are halved

Outs = 9 cards for the flush and eight cards for the straight

17 x 2 = 34%Now you only have a 2 to 1 shot of

winning

Calculating pot odds

The higher the risk, the better the return should be for the increased

exposure to risk

Calculating the risk vs returnIf you have 4 outs after the flop (rule of four)

4 x 4 =16%Your chances of winning is 1 in 6 or 5 -1

If you are going to call a bet you would need a pot that offers you a rate of return commensurate with the risk.

Pot size = 50 chips + bet of 10 chipsTotal pot = 60

You would be getting the correct return to take the risk10 chips to possibly win 60 (6-1 you need 5-1)

However if the bet in the above example was twenty chips you would not be priced in to call

Money not lost buys as much… as money won

Do not chase straights and draws unless you are getting the correct

pot odds. Or put another way. Chasing is risky so always ensure the reward is equal or better than

the risk

To Bluff or not to Bluff

• Good players do not bluff as often as you think

• Bluff only if the pot is worth it• Bluff only when you are in position• Mostly bluff only if you have outs (semi

Bluff)• Do not bluff into a multi player pot• Limit your bluffs to one or two a session

Rookie Mistakes

• Playing to many hands• Bluffing to often• Not knowing or not using pot odds• Getting “married” to a hand• Overvaluing Marginally good hands• Playing out of position• Overplaying an Ace with a low kicker (ace

rag)

Expect to play many, many hands before you become a

great player

"How long does it take to learn poker, Dad?"

"All your life, son."~Michael Pertwee

Presentation byGerry Roozendaal

Email : tresblue1@gmail.com