There are lots of online poker games available for players to choose from – with the top 10 potentially accounting for over 90% of online play. But some poker games are more popular and reputable because they have better security, larger player bases, and more attractive incentive programs such as loyalty promotions, deposit/ re-deposit bonuses, free tournaments etc…
Stay Within Your Limits
The most important strategy to remember while playing a gambling game is to stay within your limits. A successful player always plays comfortably and knows their playing limits (to survive the bad days that inevitably you will go through at some point). As a rule of thumb play in limits where you have 200 times or greater the big blind in your account.
Patience And Discipline
Patience and discipline are the cornerstones to success in online poker. Win as many chips as you can with a good hand, and lose the least with a bad hand. Take advantage of the fact that no-one is carefully analyzing your every gesture, motion, look and expression, with online poker you can play when you want and where you want. In fact you can be playing multiple tables at the same time.
Pot Odds
Pot Odds is the calculation that decides the ratio of how much money is already present in the pot in comparison to the amount of money that you have to put in to remain in the hand. A successful poker player always calculates the pot odds with the odds of making or bettering their hand. This is why players on TV take so much time before making their play.
Texas Holdem Basic Strategy
Texas Holdem is the most popular online poker game that has rapidly gained popularity over the years. Below are some of the basic strategies to try out when playing:
Starting Hands
A beginner player will always want to play premium or strong hands that ensure higher chance of leading after the flop.
Premium Hands comprise of AA, KK, QQ, AK suited
Strong Hands consist of AQ-A10 suited, AK of suit, KQ suited and 1010.
Raise and, if need be, re-raise when you’re entering the pot. This forces players with marginal hands to fold and leave you with only those with good hands. The less players in a hand when starting out, the better.
After The Flop
A player who plays only premium or strong hands should have pretty straight-forward play after the flop. If you stay in the hand then generally you should play aggressively raising if possible.
After The Turn
In a game of Texas Holdem, a turn or 4th Street is critical. A player should know their stand in the hand; whether they are leading or behind. At this stage of the game, a player should consider two important things that are often missed by novice players:
Are there any possible Straight or Flush draws on the board?
Did the board pair giving someone a three of a kind/full house possibility?
If the answer to either of the above question is yes, then the player needs to slow down, avoid making bets on high amounts, or call. If the answer is no then consider raising. If the player before makes a bet, trying calling them.
7 Card Stud Strategies
7 Card Stud is a favorite amongst poker players. There are three techniques to consider, i.e. observation, understanding player tendencies and memorization. Every online poker room offers 7 Card Stud. Below are some recommend strategies to becoming a better 7 Card Stud player:
Starting Hands
Don’t play too many hands. If you do, it is likely you will lose. Instead try this as your starting hands:
3 of a kind
A pair of 10’s or better
3 cards to a flush
3 cards to an outside straight
Try and remember all your opponents’ cards. This enables you to determine whether to stay in a hand. It is important that you keep track of their cards and then make informed and calculated decisions.
Player Tendencies
To become a winning player, it is vital to observe and take notes of your opponents’ starting hands. Note those who play solid and those who play loose, then use this to decide whether to bet raise or call the hands you play.
Memorizing
In the game of 7 Card Stud, it is important to have a good memory. You should be able to remember the cards that have been dealt to players that were in hand and folded.
Omaha Poker Strategy
Omaha poker and Texas Holdem are very different from each other. They may be similar in terms of community cards, they shouldn’t be played the same, as outlined below:
Starting Hands
The starting hand is probably the most essential element of a Omaha poker game where a player need to be very selective about the hands they choose to play. It is recommended that players opt for one of the following hands:
A-A-K-K, A-A-J-T, A-A-Q-Q, A-A-J-J, A-A-T-T, A-A-9-9, A-A-x-x, J-T-9-8, K-K-Q-Q, K-K-J-J, K-Q-J-T, K-K-T-T, K-K-A-Q, K-K-A-J, K-K-Q-J, K-K-Q-T, K-K-J-T, Q-Q-J-J, Q-Q-T-T, Q-Q-A-K
Study The Table
It is important for a player to observe the poker table and pay attention to the other players. Check out those players with weak starting hands, bet on small draws, and who bets with weak hands. This will identify weak players to pursue and strong players to be cautious of.
Know When To Fold
Avoid making the common mistake of Omaha players by becoming too involved to the net flush and 8 way straight draws. Paired aces don’t necessarily mean a good hand in Omaha poker.
Watch Out For Aces
In an Omaha game, a player should be careful about the aces in their hand. If you get pocket aces and they are not suited, there is little chance of bettering your hand on the flop.
Multi Player Action
Drawing to lower straights or flushes is dangerous and statistically not a good idea.
Sit And Go Tournament Strategy
Considered to be one of the most popular online poker games, Sit and Go is also known as sng’s, stt’s and single table tournaments. It is a tournament structure but limited to 10,9, 6 or 5 players with 10 players being the most popular. Each player starts with anything from 800 to 1,500 chips, and the top 3 finishers get the money. The payout structure is generally 50% for 1st, 30% for second and 20% for the person who comes third.
Early Stage
The early stage of the game comprises of the first 3-4 rounds of the sit and go tournament. As the blinds in this stage are less than 50/100 chips, the only thing for a player to do in this stage is to play tight. Sticking to this strategy will help the player to make it to the next bubble stage easily.
Bubble Stage
The bubble stage occurs when the blinds are a minimum of 50/100 chips. In the bubble stage, the main aim of players is to make the money by finishing in the top 3.
Money Stage
The money stage is the last phase of a Sit and Go poker tournament where a player needs to observe and label their opponents. In other words, the player should decide on one of the opponents whom to go after, usually the one with the higher chip stack.
Multi Table Tournament Strategy
Just like the Sit and Go tournament, mtt’s or multi table tournaments are also broken in to several stages. Buyins can be anywhere from $5 to $200 with the number of players ranging from 150 to 1,000!
Early Play
This is the initial stage of the game where a good player needs to play tight. Players are recommended to opt for a hand having premium play such as AA, KK, QQ, AK suited.
Middle Play
The main objective of this stage is to increase your chip stack and make it above the tournament average.
Bubble Play
This is the most crucial stage of the game, with usually about 10 to 15 spots left, where the player needs to play their best game in order to position so as to make the final table.
Final Table
The last stage of the game is the most thrilling and exciting part for a good player. As the blinds are higher in this stage, it is recommended that players opt for a wider range of hands. The final table is a tricky and touchy situation where a player needs to focus and follow the poker game strategies well.