How to Develop a Winning Poker Strategy:

How to Develop a Winning Poker Strategy:


If you have spent any time watching professional poker players play, then you may think bluffing and reading their opponents are the key ingredients of their Hold 'em Poker Strategies. Unfortunately, with editing and TV producers wanting to show the 'action' it may look like that. This is far from the truth, and if you could sit behind most pros and see what they do hand after hand you would find a strategy based on playing good starting cards, using situational betting strategies to build the pots they can win, while at the same time eliminating the weak drawing hands.


Therefore, play when your hand is strong and you can withstand the raises that will come, and unless you are in the right position, fold poor cards and save your bankroll. A strategy based on bluffing will lead to an early exit from the game, as bluffing only works if you have established that you play good cards, giving your bet credibility.


One thing to consider is the number of players in a hand. If the table is full, then it is likely that someone will have a good set of cards in the hole, and as there are fewer players then the odds of having a good hand decrease.


Another consideration is your risk tolerance level. Make sure you have a style of play that matches your play. If you want the really big pots, then you must be willing to take a lot of risk and therefore some big losses too.

If you can't recover from those losses and get back in the game quickly, then the loss will make you timid later when you need to be aggressive.


Match your style to your bankroll. If you are low on chips then you will need to be conservative and play strong hands. Once in the hand you need to play it out, or the others will bully you and try to push you out of the pot. If you have the big stack then you get to be the bully.


Some other hints to consider:


• Don't play low pairs except in late positions, if seeing the Flop isn't too costly.
• Play strong hands and high pairs before the Flop to push out the weak drawing hands.
• If you are looking for a straight draw then play to the high end.
• Watch out for possible straights if the board has 3 connected cards, like 6-7-8.
• Play aggressively with two over-cards or an Ace if the Flop is junk.
• Be aware of the raisers chip stack. If it's big then they may be playing loose.
• Look out for suited Flops that can be turned into a flush, unless you have the 'nut' in that suit.
• If you have a two-way draw to make a hand, then be aggressive.


To develop a winning Hold 'Em poker strategy requires practice, and you must keep your emotions in check and stay on your plan.


Play the strong cards, and manage your style of play based on position, your stack, and your opponents' style.