Holdem Mistakes
&
Corrections
by Bill Burton
Holdem Mistakes are costly
when you
are the one
making them.
They
are
profitable when your opponents
make them.
You will make more money from your opponent’s
mistake that you will
from your fancy poker play. Conversely, your
errors will cost you more money
when you
make them. Your goal should be to avoid errors on your part and
capitalize on
the errors of the other players.
While some are unforeseeable due to insufficient information
concerning your opponents hand others do fall into the bad play
category.
Here are just a few made by Texas Holdem players, a lesson
at the
How to Play Poker program.
Pre Flop Holdem Mistakes
The Number One Mistake
The biggest mistake a player makes is calling when they
should fold. In Texas Holdem when you decide to play a hand, you have
to call
the big blind bet.
Playing too many hands is most common in Texas Holdem
because there is always a chance that any two cards can win based on
the
community cards. However playing every hand will not be profitable in
the long
run. Playing too many hands is the downfall of many players and
although it
happens most in low limit games it does happen at all betting limits
Playing Suited Cards
Some stating hands have a positive expectation and others
are negative expectation hands. The two biggest holdem mistakes that
many low
limit
players make is playing any two suited cards (I call this ASAP)
from any
position and playing a single ace from any position.
(I call this SAP). ASAP is the number one mistake made by many
players.
Getting
two suited cards as a starting hand is fairly common. The probability
of being
dealt two suited cards is 23.58% that means those who like to play ASAP
will
have plenty of chances to enter the pot. Completing your flush is a lot
more
difficult.
If you start suited and stay to see all seven
cards (your two and
the five board cards), the probability that you will make a flush is
5.77%. The
odds against you are 16.3:1
Playing a Single Ace
The second holdem mistake is playing a single ace from any position.
You will be dealt at least one Ace about 15 percent of the time before
the flop
which means that 85 percent of the time you won't have an Ace. Maybe
that is
the reason that players get so excited when they see an Ace.
If you are playing at a full table with ten players and hold
a single ace the probability that there is no other player also holding
an ace
is 25.31 percent. That means that when you have an ace one of the nine
other
players will have an ace 75 percent of the time.
This is why
you need to consider
your other card known as your kicker to go with that single ace.
Playing an Ace with a small kicker is referred to as playing
a "weak Ace." When you do this, you are setting yourself up to be
beaten by a player who holds an Ace with a higher kicker.
Holdem Mistakes On the Flop
Over Valuing Small Pairs
Many players over value their small pairs. Small pairs are
lousy hands if they do not improve on the flop. If there are over cards
and
more than one player, you should throw your hand away if there is a bet
in
front of you.
There
are only two cards
in the deck that will help you. The odds are 11:1 against making a set
on the
Turn and 22:1 on the river. These are not good odds.
Best
strategy is to
fold if you make a set (3 of a kind) on the flop.
Betting out with
Nothing
After the flop, you have nothing. Everyone has checked to
you. Many players will bet in this situation in hopes of stealing the
pot.
Don’t waste your money. The reality is that in a low limit game with a
multiway
pot you will find someone chasing.
Save your money and take
a free card.
Holdem Mistakes on the Turn
Attempting a check raise.
If you think you have the best hand after seeing the Turn
card and are first to act, then go ahead and bet. Many players will try
to get
fancy and attempt to check raise in this position. If the other players
also
check, you have lost a bet or two. In low limit games, the straight
forward
approach is usually the best as there are plenty of players who will
call you.
Make them pay.
Why give them a free card if you don’t have to.
Calling With
Overcards
If you get to the Turn and you hold only two unsuited
overcards (two cards higher that any cards on the board) with no flush
or
straight draw, then you should fold if there is a bet in front of you.
Too much
money is lost by players who hope to catch a miracle card on the river.
The
best hand you can make with two unsuited overcards is a pair that will
probably
lose anyways.
Playing a Single Pair
after a Raise
If another player raises on the turn and you hold only one
pair you are more than likely beaten and should fold. Unless you
determine they
are on a draw. This is where learning to read the board is o important.
But
players don’t usually raise on the turn without a hand.
Holdem Mistakes on the River
Getting Fancy
Don’t try to Check Raise or get fancy on the River. If you
have the best hand and are fist to act you should bet. You don’t want
to check
and give the other players a chance to see your hand for free if they
decided
to check as well. You will make more money by betting your good hand.
Holdem
Mistakes: Calling or
Folding
When you get to the river, there are two holdem mistakes that you
can make. One is to call a losing bet, which will cost you the price of
a bet.
The other is to fold your hand, which will cost you all the money in
the pot.
Obviously folding your hand will be a far more costly mistake then
merely
calling a bet. If there is a slight chance, you may have the winning
hand you
should call. I’m not advocating calling with nothing but you should
call if
there is a chance to win.
If you hold only top Pair and there is a raise with a flush
or draw on the board you are beat.
Seldom will a player bluff with a raise
on the
river with
3 suited cards
on the board.
Holdem
mistakes
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