This is an effective poker technique for advanced players since opponents expect them to do a continuation bet upon the flop regardless if their cards get better or not. Other players will most likely bet and hope that you did not get anything out of the flop. Calling this bet will actually set some alarm bells in your opponents’ heads since they might think that you are slowplaying good cards. Most players will then check upon the turn and then what you will do is make a big bet to win the pot.

The float play is an excellent protection if you feel like another player is making continuation bets. Remember though that it is not just for this.

If you want to make good use of the float play, you should remember two things. First, you must be taking action after your opponent. Second, this should be done during a heads up with an opponent.

Float plays are also possible even when you are not in position but this technique is too advanced and is not often recommended by the experts of the game. When you are in position, you can still spot for any weakness of the other player after. You are also able to carefully assess the situation and fold your hand if the opponent makes a strong bet on the turn or be strong to take the pot when they just check.

As much as possible, never do float play against multiple players. This is most effective when you are in position and during a heads up.

One good practice is to know the hand history because you want to analyse your decision as a whole. Here are two ways on how you can get help and see if you played the poker hand well, just right, or plain and simple bad:

Join poker forums

This is the easiest way to get an analysis of how you played your cards. Post your hand on a strategy forum and you will get reactions from friendly members. Other people will comment and give you advice on what went wrong and how you can improve on your game.

Comments will be coming in from different directions so keep an open mind. You should also filter what to accept and not treat everything as something from the holy books.

Figuring out by yourself

This is a tricky and difficult process especially if you are new to poker. This article will not cover the ins and out of analysing your moves on the poker table. You can look for the Range-Equity-Maximize process, read on expected value, or use the software that can help you calculate for the best equity.

In poker, winning some chips does not mean that you played your hand well. It also goes that if you lost some money, it does not mean you  played your hand so bad. Analysing the short term process is not the way to go, you need to look at the long-term haul to see if you are improving on your poker.

Playing loose and fast

Do not even think that you can play slow in shorthanded tournament. The name of the game is playing it fast and playing it loose. The blinds will be going on a quicker pace. Since you have only six players, 1/3 of the time you will be force to put something into the pot while on a traditional tournament the blinds will be forced onto you 1/5 of the time. Patience is out of the window for shorthanded tournaments since it will also not be a profitable attitude.

Variety

Playing a shorthanded tournament exposes you to a wider set of starting cards. Unlike ring games, you cannot wait for premium starting hands. You really don’t have to think that your opponents will have premium cards. The chance that other players will have pocket aces is also lower. So, some cards that you don’t want to play on a full table can be playable on a shorthanded table.

Learn some foreplay

You have to change what is in your mind right now after reading that subheading Seriously now, with shorthanded games you can play a bit passive at first to get a feel of how the other players on the table handle their cards. As quickly as you can, extract some more information so you can also play the player. This way you also don’t reveal too much about your game very early in the tournament.

Size Matters

When you are able to build a good stack. Play hard and exploit the smaller stacked players. This is a critical mindset if you want to win a shorthanded tournament.

When you are playing in Olympics, second place winner actually just wins a silver metal but when you are playing no-limit hold’em, the second place actually loses a heck of a lot of money.  Many players who actually cross over from limit to no limit have a very hard time understanding that, but I have to say that you need to learn the rules a little bit before you switch.

When you are playing in no-limit hold’em, you need to make sure that you have the right hand and there are actually six different types of hands which are good.  First, hands that have absolutely no value and you can not even beat a bluff.  Second, hands that actually can beat a bluff – for example, a middle pair hand.  Next, a top pair hand that is on par with a bluff,

Fourth, an overpair and fifth, strong hands which are not quite as nuts as most hands you will get in no-limit hold’em.  Finally, nuts or near-nuts hands, which are completely off the wall.

While poker is not a simple game in any way shape or form, you truly have to make sure that you think for yourself in the game – otherwise you are never going to master it and never going to be really, really good, which is the ultimate goal right?  For me, it took me a while to break away from the rules and guidelines and think for myself.

You might have the same problem but once you break away, you will definitely feel better and your poker game will be better too.  Remember that.

There are a number of rules governing the role and use of kill pots in poker. One of these rules states that under certain conditions, the kill button itself is a neutral device that is not the specific possession of any one player. This rule is valid provided that the button is being used in the initial hand of a game that is only just beginning or if the person who won the kill button in a round prior to the current one has folded his hand and chosen to leave the game or if one of the prior rounds of the game there was no particular winner and the pot itself was divided up amongst the players. Under the prevalence of these three situations, the kill button is treated as a property of the establishment and not a player, and can be won and claimed by the players in the subsequent course of the game.

More poker tips at Jacobs Poker – our favorite poker blog…

More Vanessa on IblogPoker soon, I promise!

You want to setup a perfect poker night so everyone can enjoy. Here are some things to remember:

Game to Play

Ask your friends what kind of poker they want to play. Will they want the poker night to be dealer’s choice where the dealer will decide what kind of poker to play. Will it be an all night of No Limit Hold’em where you and your friends will imitate what you see on the professional tours on TV?

Number of Players

If it will be a night of dealer’s choice, you can invite around five to seven people. A Hold’em Texas poker night will require around 6 to 10 players.

Money Matters

Set the buy in so everyone will know how much money to bring. It can range from $10 to around $100 or any amount which everyone will be comfortable with without having to miss their electric bill.

Also think of the betting structure. Decide whether it will be a limit, no limit or spread betting. You also need to set the minimum and maximum betting (if you’re not playing No Limit).

Other necessities will be a poker table, a set of chips, and at least two decks of cards.

Don’t forget the beer, cans of soda, and some finger foods to keep everyone happy. Music will also set the mood.