Online Poker Secrets» Chips

The Average Chip Stack

jen — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:01:37 +0000

Most online poker sites now have the programming to show you what the average chip stack is, but if they dont, you can use this easy calculation:

Average = Total number of chips in play, Divided By, Number of players remaining

While this shouldnt affect your game completely, it does help you in understanding how fast or aggressively you should play and more importantly, how fast your opponents are likely to play.

Opponents & Pot Committed

jen — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:43:25 +0000

“When a player enters a pot before the flop and has more than half of his chips in action, I consider him 100% pot committed. Given the opportunity, he’ll put in the rest of his chips before the flop. if he doesn’t get that chance, he’ll likely use them all to chase the pot after the flop.” – Phil Gordon

And the online poker secret is: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE A BLUFF AT THIS POKER PLAYER!!!!!!

The prospect of harm

jen — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:40:17 +0000

“What discourages opponents from coming is the prospect of harm” – Sun Tzu

Poker is not a gentlemens game anymore, it has become a war between opponents. This doesnt mean you have to insult or deface your opponents, but it does mean that you are in battle for their chips! Show that you are there for battle and you will see them begin to fall. Opponents will either choose to attack at the wrong times, or will back off from any confrontation with you.

Resist Impulse Decisions

jen — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:27:24 +0000

You open up your cards and see that you have pocket aces. Its a definite instinct to grab your chips and go. Just like in live poker, your online poker game is being observed by your opponents. Take time in your decisions, do not make any impulse acts. Leave your opponents wondering what you are going to do next.

Pot Odds

jen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:45:50 +0000

There is a lot of talk in poker among players whether or not pot odds are good enough in tournament poker to risk a lot or all of your chips. I think that the more experienced tournament players would tell you that pot odds should not be the sole reason to call most or all of your chips in a tournament. Many have said that your chips are too valuable in a tournament to risk them by just the calculation of pot odds.

The online poker secret is: Dont rely ONLY on Pot Odds, use it as a mere calculation in addition to all of your skills.

Betting!

jen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:23:42 +0000

There are many reasons for betting…You can bet to see where you are in the hand, bet for value or bet to bluff someone out of a hand.

With all the intricate ins and outs of how people play Texas Holdem Poker you are not always going to be right. Like I was always told when I was growing up: that is why there are backs on the cards!

The key in this game of incomplete information is to use your tools (chips) to make the best decision as possible to maximize your profits. The decision in the end may have you folding, even if you have raised to see where you are. You have to just remember that you need to follow your plays and trust what you think your information is telling you.

Cash vs. Tourney: Slow Playing

jen — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:28:28 +0000

In my honest opinion, you are much better off using slow playing tactics in a tournament than in a cash game. The reason being this:

In a cash game, slow playing easily gets you into trouble, and you are risking a lot more money in these circumstances. The long term gains of a cash game are relevant based on what happens over the next year, not necessarily what happens in a few sessions. Bet all your strong hands strong, and you will get paid off in the long run.

In a tournament, your money is already invested. Chips are generally managed more strictly and therefore; you have to take the best opportunities to build your stack gradually without risk.

Keep in mind my previous post however (Flopping a Monster).