The absolute bottom line here is that players must base their decision as to what stakes they wish to consider on their bankroll. Never deviate from this general principle because it is the first step towards incurring irreparable losses that will lead to financial problems. The reason for this is that variance, the natural statistical cyclic “fortune” element in games of chance, will inevitably strike and when it does, those who have not properly planned out their approach to stakes will see their bankrolls quickly wiped out.

Exceeding five percent of a player’s bankroll is not advised no matter what game they are about to play. Those using this percentage each time they play will find that at no limit and pot limit tables they can still buy in with a maximum amount. In a limit game, players should be able to go twenty times the big bet. Exercising this level of discipline while playing will gradually build up a player’s bankroll over time, statistically speaking. This means that larger stakes are played naturally as that bankroll increases so that a player grows in skill without risking too much money at any given time.

Generally, a blocking bet is made on the river as a means of blocking one’s opponent. This means that you want to make the bet when you are out of position and not the last one acting. Properly used, a blocking bet makes money by ensuring that the person using it loses less than they would have otherwise. As an example if a player bets twenty five percent of the pot on the river and another player at the table who has a better hand simply calls then the player placing the blocking bet saves money by blocking the opponent from betting, for example, fifty percent of the pot. Not only does a blocking bet help reduce the likelihood that others at the table will bluff, it can lead to a show down where less is at stake. If a player simply checks, this suggests weakness and tends to trigger bluffs.

Since betting is viewed as an indicator of the strength of the betting player’s hand, most players are not going to bluff against it unless they genuinely possess a strong hand themselves. A blocking bet is not a smart move for those players who actually do hold a strong hand. The blocking bet is more for hands that the player already knows will not do all that well in play. The best hands for the purposes of this type of bet would be higher value pairs that also have a decent kicker.

The concept of the blocking bet boils down to a twofold point: foil your opponent psychologically and decrease your losses in the event that your hand does not win.

In terms of games, online poker is clearly not the same as the tournaments seen on television these days. While Texas Hold’em remains the most popular game online, it is definitely not the only one available. Omaha, 5 Card Draw, Badugi, Crazy Pineapple, Stud High, Razz and even mixed games like HORSE. The key aspect in choosing the right game is monitoring your experience. When you are playing, keep records of your wins and losses, a simple spreadsheet works well for this task. By tracking your results over time you will see patterns emerge. Nearly all players have games in which they are more talented and also games where they are losing money. A solid strategy in your poker endeavors means choosing the games that you are most likely to win every time and focusing your skill improvements in those areas. By keeping even the most basic statistics, you will know where to play and you can build your bankroll based on this knowledge. This is one of the ways by which the pros are separated from the rank amateurs.

For the most part, there are certain stages of thinking that players exhibit so learning to recognize these stages of thinking greatly sharpens one’s ability to gain insight into any given player. These stages can be summed up in a relatively simple format:
Stage One – The player considers what the hand they hold is capable of and they base their decisions in play around this knowledge. Novice players who are new to the game think this way.

Stage Two – The player considers not only their own hand, but the hand that others at the table might have. These players are making more complex decisions during play and must be monitored for a wider variety of cues.

Stage Three – The player considers their own hand, the potential hands of others at the table, and what kind of hand the others at the table might think they the player holds. This level of complexity brings with it far more propensity for bluffing and other human oriented strategizing. These players may not be the alphas in the food chain, but they are right up there.

Stage Four and Beyond – These players consider everything that players in Stage Three consider, plus they add in what the others think of the potential hand that they hold. This is where things get tricky and from here on out it takes experience to gain an edge.

The best way to understand the opponents played against most regularly is by keeping notes. Don’t be afraid to jot down some details about those who are regular rivals. Using this as a resource, a serious player can up the odds that they will win by having a totally free strategic weapon at the table.

Despite the fact that each player is dealt four hole cards, the need to play tightly is crucial. Too many players justify seeing flops simply because it is easy to make a case for either a high or a low hand in every hand dealt. This mistaken approach comes from the fact that the majority of poker players online are primarily familiar with Teaxas Hold’em and so they see those four cards to choose from prior to the flop and forget that everyone at the table has four cards, as well. This, coupled with the fact that there are both high and low pots to try to win seems to lead players to the mistaken impression that they have a much higher probability of winning with any given hand than they actually do. This thinking can lead to trouble because the fact is the odds of finding a flop are the same in Omaha as they are in Texas Hold’em. It is all poker, after all, and the statistics of random numbers don’t change to favor certain games.

Players who are too loose are going to focus on winning the low pot more than they should and justify that attempt by explaining that it could be half of the pot since the high winner always takes half the pot. The problem with this theory is that the low pot often gets shared. By playing too loose and focusing on the low pot instead of keeping one’s eyes on the prize, opportunities can be lost to actually win the high pot.

10. Ace – Ten

This can be a decent hand, but you want to be wary of getting too confident with it. The strong point is that you have an Ace, so if you get a Jack – Queen – King on the board, you’re set for a straight. If this hand isn’t in the same suit you might end up with a pair of Aces, but still get beaten by your opponent’s kicker cards.

9. King – Jack

You will want to fold this hand to a big raise because it can be beaten by the other 8 hands on this list, but in a later position this can be a quite a decent hand. Statistically, you can win around 15% of the time if the cards are not of the same suit. If they are in the same suit then your odds go up to a little under 20%.

8. Ace – Jack

This is a decent hand to draw, and playable even if the cards aren’t in the same suit. If they’re suited, it’s obviously better.

7. King – Queen

A very nice drawing hand, but particularly good if in the same suit. You’re only worry here is that an Ace is going to hit the board.

6. Ace – Queen

This is the second best hand you can draw, even if not in the same suit. If you draw it in the same suit then you are looking at 20% odds you are going to win.

5. Jack – Jack

At a ten-handed table, this pair will see you winning about 20% of the time. Watch the flop, though, because shows an ace, king or queen you’ve got to be cautious.

4. Ace – King

This is a strong hand to have dealt to you, but it can be tricky in play. Of all the drawing hands, this is the strongest. However, to really make it live up to its potential you need the flop to give you a pair of Kings or, better yet, Aces. If you can get these two cards in the same suit you have an edge because then it’s easier to make the best flush.

3. Queen – Queen

Double Queens is a very nice hand to draw and it’s going to give you an advantage over all cards Jack and lower. Sure, Aces or Kings will beat this hand, but other than that with these two “ladies” you’ve got a good shot at winning.

2. King – King

Also referred to as “cowboys”, double Kings is the second best hand to draw. It’s very strong and the only way you can get beaten is by double Aces.

1. Ace – Ace

In Texas Hold’em there is no better hand to have and this little pair is the most likely to win you some big money. In poker lingo it’s also called bullets, pocket rockets or American Airlines.

Armed with this knowledge you are bound to win more because most beginners and even mid-level novice poker players end up playing when they really ought to fold. If you can resist this temptation and work the odds in a more favorable direction then you really will win at online poker.

The right knowledge is what sets those who are serious about winning this game apart from those who are simply looking for a little fun and don’t mind losing money in order to do it. By informing yourself of what the pros know by heart you’re on your way to getting in at a winning table and maybe even making a name for yourself.

The key here is that poker hands are grouped in certain categories. These categories are a two pair, a straight, a flush, etc. Whenever two players each have a hand, the player who holds the hand that is higher ranking hand wins. When the players both have hands that fall into the same category, the player with the higher ranking cards wins. Ace is valued you highest and two is, of course, the lowest ranking card. A suit is the division of the cards by their symbols, such as hearts, spades, diamonds or clubs.

If you keep the following categories of poker hands in mind, you’ll find it much easier to keep track of who’s winning at your table and why, even if you are an absolute beginner.

Straight Flush – This is a hand composed of 5 cards in order that are all in the suit. If two players come up with a Straight Flush, whoever has the higher value wins. A flush of Ace – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 is the lowest in value, but 10 – Jack – Queen – King – Ace is the highest and called a Royal Flush.

Four of a Kind – This is hand is simple, whenever you have four cards of the same numerical value you have Four of a Kind. In poker lingo, have four Jacks would be called Quad Jacks or if it was four 7’s, Quad 7’s. If two players have the same Quads, then the fifth card in their hand comes into play and that fifth card is referred to as the kicker. Whoever has the highest valued kicker between tied players wins.

Full House – This hand is made up of Three of a Kind (such as 3 Queens) and a Pair (such as 2 Aces). In poker lingo it is also referred to as a Boat. Whenever two players both end up with a Full House, whoever has the highest ranking Three of a Kind wins. If players end up with the same Three of a Kind, the highest ranking Pair determines the winner.

Flush – Five cards in the same suit is a Flush and if two players both hold a Flush, the highest wins. To determine value the higher ranking hand, the cards are compared. First the highest value card is compared, then the second and so on, until a winner is determined.

Straight – A hand that is made up of 5 cards from any suits in numerical sequence (such as 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10) is called a Straight. When two players both end up with Straights, the higher valued hand wins. The lowest ranking Straight, 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – Ace, is called a wheel and the highest ranking Straight is 10 – Jack – Queen – King – Ace.

Three of a Kind – When two players each have a Three of a Kind (known in poker lingo as trips), the one of higher value wins. If they are of equal value, then the value of the kicker cards comes into play and they will break the tie. In Texas Hold’em, if you have a Pocket Pair and you add a third card to the board to form trips, this is called a set.

Two Pair – Two pairs of two cards of the same value (such as two 7’s and two Aces) is called a Two Pair. When breaking a tie between two players who both hold Two Pair hands, the highest pairs are compared and if these are equal, then the second pairs come into play. If these are also equal, the kickers are used to break the tie.

Pair – Two cards with the same numerical value (such as two 4’s or two Kings) are called a Pair. If players both have Pairs, the highest Pair wins. If both Pairs are equal, then the kickers are compared, beginning with the highest value in each hand then the second highest and so on, until a winner is determined.

High Card – When a hand doesn’t fit into any of the above categories, then you judge it by the highest valued card. In poker lingo a hand with a King for a high card is called King high if the highest card were an 8, it would be called 8 high. When two hands both have the same highest card, you compare the second, then the third and so on until you come up with a winner.