Protect That Built Up BankRoll

 

 Protect That Built Up Bank Roll

For most players, the lure of playing in high-stakes ring games or tournaments is not only an ultimate goal, but for some and more often than not a trap that leaves you broke. While there's no doubt that these games can provide huge rewards, the sad truth is that many beginners often leap into the depths of the sharks, destroying their self-confidence and leaving their bankrolls floating in a new bank account.
My advice to these players sounds simple, but is harder to execute; stay in the shallow end until you and your bankroll are ready to venture into deeper waters.

When I first started playing, I would build up a few hundred dollars and immediately move up to the next level, usually a level that I was sitting in with the minimum, just to get in.  This was always a pour move, I would run well for a while but, all it would take was a bad string or an over eager tournament entry and there goes all that hard work (and money) . I would build a bank roll to buy into the big tournament on sundays because the first time I played it I cashed, but the next six times were not so good, slowly there went my role and I had to start from scratch.  In the poker world, that can take more patience and understanding than ever imaginable.  Understand your means and do not think of yourself as a pro, play within your means!


When I finally tried my hand at another large tournament, I was sure to work at it differently, and in turn started playing satellites to get an entry.  After some diligence, Payoff! I won a seat into the tournament I was spending my roll on, now I am not spending a dime and getting a chance at over $150,000.

Because I didn't have as much of my bankroll invested in my tournament entry, I played the event without fear that I would be crippled again if I failed to cash. As it turned out, I took 11th place and walked away from the table with a great chunk of change for my future poker sessions. Eliminating the true downside of spending by satelliting into the event let me really put thought and feel on the poker and play a more solid and confident game than I could have if I had bought into the event with the roll I had built up.


While satellites are one of the most common and popular ways to secure your entry into a big buy-in event, they aren't the only option. For players who don't want to take their chances in satellites, search out a backer, family member or friend or even another player can be a reasonable source to play in bigger events than they can afford on their own. Before you go down this path, however, be sure to consider all aspects of the deal being offered and determine how much of your potential winning you're willing to give away.
No matter what path you choose, I fully recommend that you never commit more than 5-10% of your bankroll to an individual event or ring game.

Remember, building up a bankroll represents more than just the funds you have at your disposal. It's a constant reminder of the hours of work it took to grind and, as such, it's something that deserves protection. Treat your bankroll properly, remember it is still considered a job, treat it like one and you will reap the benefits for a long time.

Let me know what your bank roll strategies are, do you have issues with this job, or does it come as a natural way of doing things?

Starting Hands and Positioning

Before the flop There are things to consider as far as which hand should be played or thrown into the muck.

Starting Hands:
Position, patience and the ability to pick your spots to really go after the pot are the key in trying to win at Texas Holdem. The most important pre-flop decision you will make is what starting hand is acceptable to go in with. The biggest mistake a player makes is playing too many hands. Be aware of your Position in relation to the dealer, this will help out in later blogs, but also help in better deciding if play, raise or fold is the right choice. You need a stronger hand to act while in early position because you have more players acting after you who may raise or re-raise the pot (which can result in you losing money you did not have to). It is important that you are Patient and wait for strong starting hands to play from the correct position.

 

 The player to the left of the big blind acts first before the flop. He along with the other two players to his left are in early position (under the gun). The next three players are middle position and the players after that are in late position. The blinds act last before the flop, but are first to act after the flop is laid out. Below are what may be some guidelines for starting hands that I and many others would recommend you play when you are getting to know the game and just starting out. They are fairly tight but will give you a good foundation to work with until you learn a little more about the game( keep in mind different hands are stong in different situations, so it is important in Texas Holdem to never fall in love with any hand because it could cost you).

In Early position these are scenarios that can be beneficial to you.
Raise with A-A, K-K or A-K suited from any position. Call with A-K, A-Q suited, K-Q suited and Q-Q J-J, T-T

In Middle position
Call with, 9-9, 8-8, A-J suited, A-T suited, Q-J suited, A-Q, K-Q

In Late position
Call with A-T suited, K-T suited, Q-T suited, J-T suited, A-J, A-T and small pairs. It takes a stronger hand to call a raise than it does to make with one, If there is a raise before it is your turn to act you you can very easily fold. There is no reason  to lose more money with a marginal hand just because you want to force it.  Be ok with folding!!!

Also Quick Side Note:
After playing a while you will notice that players will play any two suited cards from any position and they will play an Ace with any small kicker. These hands are not hands built for longevity, so be sure to try not to get into the habit of playing them because you will eventually lose with them.

Blinds as they pertain to the game:
Once you post your blind the chips or money are no longer yours. Many players feel the need to go out there and defend their blinds by calling all raises even with marginal hands. Get into the habit of not wasting additional money on marginal hands ( this will bring further success in turn more money). Also, don’t look to automatically call the small blind if you have nothing. not spending that half bet will set you up for your next small blind.

More Next time Thanks!!
I will Discuss next time the play of certain hands, the when and the where, to play them.

The Basics to No Limit Hold"em

No Limit Texas Hold'Em

One of the most popular forms of poker today is Texas Hold'em. In This great game called Texas Hold'em each player receives two hole-cards and five subsequent cards are dealt face-up in the middle of the table, these cards are simply known as the "flop", "turn", and the "river". The object of the game is to make the best five-card poker hand possible using your two hole-cards and the five community cards.
To indicate which person is the dealer from round to round, a disc or other such marker, called the button, is placed in front of them. To start the action, the person to the left of the dealer posts the "small blind", a forced bet usually half of the minimum bet. The next person to the left posts the "big blind", a forced bet equal to the minimum bet. These two bets are called "blinds" because they are posted before the two players look at their cards.

Players are then dealt the two pocket cards, face down, and the person on the left of the player who posted the big blind will begin the first round of betting. In the first round, a player can call, raise or you could also fold . In order to call, the player must place a bet that is equal to the previous bet. After the first player, each subsequent player is given the option to call the current bet, to raise up the bet, or to fold. Players who fold are out of that round until the hand ends and the next deal is out.


After the first round of betting is finished, the dealer takes the top card and sets it aside (called "the burn card"), and then lays the three community cards face up on the table. This is called the flop. At this point all other betting rounds now start with the first player to the left of the dealer. Players now have the option to check (the term used to pass on betting without folding), or to put out a bet. After the betting is opened by a player, players can no longer check when it is their turn to act, but can instead call or raise the action occurring at that point. The round concludes when all bets have been called, or in a limit game, when the maximum number of bets possible (the "cap", usually 1 bet and 3 raises) has been reached.
After betting is finished another card is burned and the fourth card, called the "turn card" or "4th Street," is added to the community cards. Players bet again just as they did on the flop betting round. In a fixed limit game, the bet is now double the previous bet and remains double for the final betting round as well. After the third betting round, another card is burned and the fifth and final card, known as the "river" or "5th Street," is dealt. There is one last round of betting, after which the remaining players turn up their pocket cards. The highest five card poker hand that can be made using any combination of the available seven cards (a player’s two hole cards and the five community cards) wins the pot. If there is a tie, then every player who is tied divides the pot evenly between them.
After the hand is finished, the Button moves clockwise to the next player, who becomes the dealer and play begins again after a new deal, and the blinds are right.
Heres the Basics, look for future posts on strategy and the best online sites to dive into, with the best chance to get your share of the Millions being made online in the poker rooms