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Poker Article
Varying the Game
When a player knows the basics of poker, like what starting hands to play, it is time to apply a more advanced strategy to the game. One of the first things to apply to ones game is deceptiveness. This is because better players will with ease out-play a predictable player. There are some easy moves a player can learn that increase unpredictability.
- Slow Play; This is checking with a good hand early on to let opponents draw to a better hand and take their money on later a round. This move is effective when the pot is small and the hand you hold is so strong that there is no risk of your opponents out draw you. Be careful using slow play when the pot is big already and there are many draws that can turn into a winning hand for your opponent.
- Check-Raise; This is checking when it is your turn only to raise when the turn has come back to you. Check-raising is especially as deceptive play because there are several situations where it is useable. One is the honest raise, you hold a very good hand and want to extract more money from your players. The other is when you have a good draw of some kind and need to hit to actually win the hand. By check-raising (also called semi-bluff) you have exposed strength and have the initiative on the next round of betting. If the draw fails to improve you have the options of checking or continue to bluff and hope your opponents fold. If they call anyway they will be unsure in the future of your holdings.
By varying the game you make it a lot harder for your opponents. Also, do not play the same starting hands in the same way, for example always raise with A-A in Texas Hold?em and call with weaker hands such as 9-10 suited. Mix your game and call with A-A and raise with hands like 9-10 suited once in awhile.
