In order to learn how to win at online poker, you must first grasp the basic understanding of what is going on ‘behind the scenes’. In a live poker tournament, factors such as the deal, physical tells, and bold plays will affect the outcome of each hand, whereas, online poker overwhelmingly lacks these basic circumstances.

For instance, cards dealt in an online poker game is controlled by a computer-generated program that barely mimics a true random deal such as in a live game. Moreover, you are unable to detect ‘physical tells’ by your opponents, thereby making it more difficult to tell if other players are weak or strong. Standard poker strategy such as trapping and bluffing become more difficult online, since the primary skills of poker are absent in an online game.

Furthermore, because the deal and the randomness are created by a computer software program that can follow a particular pattern, in some cases it makes no difference how skillful you play. For instance, in a live game your pocket aces are normally an 88% winner against any random hand. However, in online poker. Those odds usually do not hold true, because of the algorithms used by online poker sites.

What this means is that normal skill used in a live game, becomes less important and less effective in your quest to win at online poker. The explanation for this is that the software actually controls which hands and which person may win, regardless of the true live odds. This fact has been proven in multiple studies conducted by several poker and software professionals in an attempt to learn how to win at online poker.

The result is simply that a computer generated software program controlling the outcome of hands is ineffective when a player wishes to use their learned skills in online poker.

The answer to win at online poker is to go along with the program and adjust your play according to the algorithms used by the software. The only true way to defeat the computer-generated codes, is to learn how they work and emulate and adjust your play to win at online poker.

Poker Knowledge:

Knowing how to play poker is only a small fraction of the battle to winning at online poker. The challenge is having the knowledge of how to proceed in each and every poker hand. When playing poker online, you may hear or witness a bad beat story which makes you think that online poker is rigged. However, the majority of those constant bad beat stories are a result of a misplayed poker hand.

For example, if you limp in with 6 7 on the button and the flop comes 778, then your opponent goes all in, you obviously will call. Your opponent shows 9 10, the turn is a jack and the river a 2, is this a bead beat that could have been prevented?

Absolutely, if you are going to play a suited connector on the button, after your opponents have limped, maybe the best play is to raise so you get rid of the 9 10, or any other mediocre poker hands that could beat you.

Information:

That which is known; the sum of what has been perceived, discovered, or inferred: knowledge, lore, wisdom. That which is known about a specific subject or situation: data, fact, intelligence, knowledge,…

All that explains what information is; and poker is all about information, more specifically, Perfect Information.

Perfect information is collecting as much as you can about each player at your table and then using that information to play your poker hand. If you have an aggressive player, a bluffer, a tight player who only plays the nuts, then you need to store this perfect information, so when you are in a hand, you have a better idea of how to proceed against that opponent.

Experience:

Poker experience is the key factor in any thing that you do, and that holds true in poker online as well. You will see a lot of unusual things in online poker, and the more you experience and understand how the particular situation went down, the better prepared you are to handle that situation when you come across it.

Additionally, experience in poker cash games or online Texas Hold em tournaments is easily gained by reading poker news, studying poker hand history, watching poker videos, or interacting with other players on poker forums. The more you absorb yourself into the no limit Texas Hold em game, the greater your experience as you learn how others played a particular poker hand or how not to play your poker hand.

Combine your knowledge, information and experience at the poker table to better play your game and increase your odds of winning. Although it may take a long time to gather these skills, you can take shortcuts by reading more first class poker tips in this FREE poker book link.

Good luck and whether you play live poker tournaments or online poker at Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, or any other poker site, always remember to  play your best poker game with the right knowledge, information and experience.

One of the advantages of holdem poker is that you can make strategic moves against your opponents much like in other skillful games such as chess. Oftentimes, you can represent your hand as strong or weak, depending on your position and your opponent’s aggression.

Setting Up a Check Raise

The beginning of a successful check raise is determined pre-flop, what that means is you want to make your decision to check raise, long before the flop comes out. Making decisions preflop when you play Texas holdem is more advantageous than waiting till the moment you have to act to make your decision.

Four important factors need to be present should you decide to make a check raise play. They are:

• The strength of your hand
• Your table image
• The table attitude
• Your position

It is vital in Texas holdem to consider all four of these factors to successfully pull off a check raise that nets you a maximum win.

Hand Strength

The stronger your hand is pre-flop in Texas holdem, the better chance you have of pulling off a profitable check raise by concealing that strength. In other words if you have Ace King suited and limp, it is very difficult for your opponents to figure you are playing a strong hand, especially if your ace comes on the flop.

The fact that you did not play it strong pre-flop, will make others believe you are trying to steal the pot or you are on a draw when your ace hits. On the other hand, if you limp in with small suited connectors and hit a big flush or straight draw on the flop, this is less likely to induce much action from your opponents because those draws are more visible and more believable.

Therefore, concealing a strong hand pre-flop is the best method for setting up a check raise when you hit the board.

Table Image

Your table image is important as well; table image is the way in which your opponents perceive you as a player. They may label you as a tight player who plays few hands, an aggressive player that bets and pushes, or a passive player that folds to strong moves.

If your opponents know that you are a tight player and you check, they may bet out thinking you will fold because of your tight image. On the other hand, if you are aggressive, and you check they may not bet, robbing you of opportunities to check raise.

Table Attitude

This is another important aspect when executing a check raise. Table attitude in Texas Holdem is the general environment of the players at the table. If the majority of your table is comprised of calling stations or ultra-aggressive players, a check raise may not get the desired results, as players tend to call from behind and do not respect the raise.

Alternatively, a check raise when the table attitude is tight, usually gets people to fold and allows you to take down a pot without contention. In Texas Holdem, table attitude should be the determining factor in how much to check raise. In other words, a check raise at an aggressive or calling station table is still a good play, however, you want to make sure that your raise is sufficient to make people fold, instead of calling to suck out on you.

Position

In order to pull off a successful check raise in Texas Holdem, position plays a very important part. If you are early to act in a hand, checking to allow someone else the opportunity to bet is the basis of the check raise. However, if you are in late position with a tight player behind you, you will likely miss an opportunity to check raise.

Be aware that, as in most Texas Holdem hands, position can dictate what actions you should or should not make. Using your position to determine beforehand whether you should plan a check raise is very important to succeeding.

A check raise in Texas Hold em poker can be used for a variety of reasons. Squeeze the maximum number of chips out of your opponents; find out if your hand is stronger than your opponents, or to take down a pot to avoid anyone drawing out on you. Use the factors of hand strength, table image, table attitude, and position to give you the maximum advantage in the skillful art of check raising in your next Texas holdem game.

The most important consideration when using a bluff in a Texas holdem tournament is to ensure that you are doing it at the right time, for the right reason, and with the right price. Failure to follow the best poker strategy when bluffing could easily result in disaster to your chip stack.

The Right Time

In no limit Texas hold em poker, especially online poker tournaments, timing is very important. Your bluff must be executed with the utmost care to protect you from losing and quickly being recognized as a bluffer. If others at the table witness your bluff, there is a very good chance that when you have a good hand, they may call you down, believing you are bluffing again and possibly suck out on you at the river.

Therefore, a bluff is likely to work when you have the right position in no limit Texas hold em poker, usually, last to act. If the board is practically a blank, with no draws and the action is checked to you, this is a good time to pull off a bluff. However, you must ensure that the players in the hand are not inclined to trap! If a player is known to be a trapper or check raiser, you may want to wait to make your move.

The Right Reason

The right reason to bluff in a Texas holdem tournament is crucial. Are you bluffing just because everyone checked to you, or are you bluffing because you KNOW your opponents will fold? Choosing to bluff when there are calling stations in the hand could be dangerous!

Make sure the reason you are bluffing (whether in an online poker tournament or live poker game) is because you know your opponents will fold. Keep mental notes (or live notes in an online poker tournament) on who is a calling station and who is a strong player that will fold to a bet. Having that little bit of information about your opponents can help you win plenty of pots and get you deeper in your Texas holdem tournament.

The Right Price

No limit Texas hold em poker is all about getting the right price. Remember that the game is about investing your chips to win more chips, and getting the proper return on your investment (ROI). Texas holdem tournaments are especially dependent on your ROI and the right price strategy.

If your bluff is going to put too much of your chips at risk, you need to reconsider if this time is the right time to make your move. In addition, in an online poker tournament as well as a cash game, many weaker players with shortstacks are apt to call in hopes of drawing out.

In a Texas holdem tournament, you must pay close attention to the chip stack of your opponent and know that if they have less than your bluff bet amount, they may call anyway out of desperation to win. On the other hand, if you have a big stack in the hand, he may call your bluff just because he has enough chips to do so.

Carefully plan out your bluff as you progress through your Texas holdem tournaments. The use of bluffing as a tool in your poker strategy arsenal should be used with care to protect your image and your chip stack. Make sure you use the right timing, the right reason to steal the pot, and that you are getting the right price with the minimal risk.

To learn more tips, browse my blog, and if you want to win online poker, go to The PokerStars Code to discover online techniques beating the software!

Professionals like John Racener (2010 WSOP Main Event Final Table), Tom Durrrr Dwan (Cash game specialist), Phil Hellmuth (most cashes ever in the WSOP), and Daniel Negreanu (KidPoker, the unofficial ambassador of Poker) and countless small time pro’s have had enormous success in these little tourneys we call sit n go poker.

One of the best ways to view Sit N Go Poker is to realize that you have an easy opportunity to make money with minimal risk. That is to say, that you can enter any SNG poker tournament for less than the cost of a cash game, yet have an opportunity to make much more. Any experienced poker player knows you will have a tough time making 4 or 5 times your buy in at a cash table, unlike a sit n go.

To win SNG poker, you must find your best investment and the minimum buy in according to your bankroll. You want to only play sit n go poker tourneys that are at most 10% of your bankroll, and choose stakes where you feel comfortable should you lose.

Once you determine the buy in, select a field size where you feel you can accomplish the maximum return. If you are best at 9 person, go with that. On the other hand if you can easily wade through 27 or 45 players, then stick to that size field.

Now for the best strategy in Sit N Go Poker. I like to begin the game by seeing flops only when I have position and only when I have a strong starting hand. While many players will take an aggressive approach early on, you want to go the tight route and wait for the field to thin. In many cases, I have seen Sit N Go Poker tourneys where three or four players are knocked out in the first 10 or 15 minutes.

By waiting out the action junkies and donkeys, you afford yourself an opportunity of getting to play against more experienced players that will not always call for their draws. In addition as you get closer to the money, players tend to tighten up their game, giving you a chance to make moves or bluff in a timely manner.

So to win in sit n go poker, you want to select the best tournament for your skill level, and play a solid game until you find opportunities to make moves. Playing solid SNG poker early on will also allow you a chance to bluff at big pots since your opponents may have noticed your tight play.

Grab your free SNG poker book to learn techniques on how to become a better poker player.  Discover true ways to win Sit N Go Poker.

But, I Have Pot Odds!

Although, you will often hear players say, “I have pot odds to call”, the reality is that unless you apply and adhere basic poker strategy pot odds math to your game, you may never grasp the real concept behind this powerful way to make money in poker.

First, understand that there are multiple Texas holdem betting strategies that can make you money in addition to pot odds. There is a value bet, a check-raise and always a bluff that will come in handy. However, understanding basic poker strategy in pot odds, is by far the most important.

Real Pot Odds In Poker Strategy

For example, let’s set a scenario up to understand the whole pot odds strategy. You are playing in a $1 – $2 cash poker game, and you are the big blind, this means you have $2 invested in the pot. First position limps and middle position makes it $12, the hijack, the button and small blind call. What do you do?

First, calculate the total pot, $12 from 4 players plus your BB and the UTG limp makes the pot $52. Now subtract the rake (we will assume it is $5), as you can not win what belongs to the house, leaving your pot at $47. For you to call it will cost $10 into a pot of $47 making your pot odds 4.7 to 1 (divide the pot by your call amount). Now you have the first half of the poker strategy pot odds math computed.

Strength Of Poker Hands

Second, consider your hand strength. Does your hand have a 4.7 to 1 chance to win? What that means is that in order for you to actually get the right return on your investment you need to have the appropriate chance of winning. Therefore your hand must have a potential of winning at the minimum 21% (1 divided by 4.7) to make the right call.

Now you must decide what hand ranges are within the 21% to call. Hands in the lower order of hand rankings are definitely bad calls. Remember you are up against 4 other players (5 if the UTG calls too). Most likely many of your hands will be dominated. Disconnected (Q2, K4, A6, etc) and unsuited hands should be immediately folded.

Poker Hands To Fold

Hands that are in the middle ranges and suited (9 10, 10J, JQ,etc) could be callable. Hands that are in the bottom of the top 10 (KQs, AKs, pocket 10’s, etc) are probably best played as a call since you are out of position. While hands in the top 3 (AA, KK, QQ), may warrant a healthy raise.

Basically, in order to minimize your losses, you only want to call for pot odds when your hand strength is equal to or better than the amount to call.

This is the most basic rule in Texas Holdem betting strategies. Always follow the poker strategy pot odds when you are in a decision to make the call. In the long run you will profit from this solid poker advice.

Discover more Texas holdem betting strategies with a free poker ebook.

Always consider your best Poker Strategy Pot Odds and learn the best strategy for winning in poker.

Since Sit N Go Poker is always a short field, anywhere from as few as 6 to as many as 180, you can pretty much regulate your play and outlast a lot of players. As I said, the key to winning is in the science, and how well you stick to that science of the game.

Typically, a newbie sit n go poker strategy is to gain as many chips as possible in hopes of sitting back and gliding into the money. This is almost always a detrimental way to try and win. You are far better off building your stack slowly and waiting for opportunities to
get chips from desperate players.

I notice many players get anxious about the blinds and antes as the tourney progresses on. While most players feel shortstacked from the very beginning of Sit N Go Poker tournaments, the reality is that everyone starts with the same size stack and the only important number to remember is the average.

For example, if your sit n go poker starts with 9 players and 1500 in chips, there is a total of 13,500 in play. So when 2 people get knocked out the average chip stack is about 1,930. This means if you are near the average, you have a good chance of moving closer to the money. It is only when you have less than half the average you are truly in danger.

Even if the blinds get to 400 and 800, the total amount in play is still the same, and if there are 4 people left, the average is 3375, so even if you have around 1500, you still can make the money! In Sit N Go Poker do not get tricked by the incorrect assumption that you need 10 times the blind, because NOBODY has 10 times. The number you want to watch is the average chipstack, how is that for simple math?

Remember in sit n go poker, you can not be blinded out if you stay within the average. Even if you are shortstack, you have a shot at the money as other less skilled players will nervously and anxiously make a move hoping to double up. This sometimes results in them getting busted and pushing you into the money.

Discover the best sitngo tips by getting a free book on sit n go poker strategy. Apply those poker tips to your game and learn how to truly dominate Sit N Go Poker

Logical Assessment

For that reason, one must take a logical approach and assess each situation differently. Although everyone believes pocket aces are the best hand in poker, it is not always the hand that wins by showdown. In many cases, having your aces cracked is usually the result of the way one decides to play them. This is true for any hand, therefore properly assessing the strength of poker hands, will help in your effort to profit in poker.

First

First assessment should be to the other players at your table. If you have several players that seem to never fold to a raise, it is likely these fish are looking to win a big pot at any cost. Therefore, you must make it unattractive for them to win a pot when you are involved. When you have a strong starting hand and you want to eliminate the fish, bet high enough that they will not call.

On the other hand, you may want to consider the poker hands to fold when playing with several fish or calling stations at your table. In many cases, playing low suited connectors and high cards with no kicker against these types of players is usually a losing battle.

Second

The second assessment to make in determining the strength of poker hands you play is directly related your position. For example, playing high suited and connected cards in late position with no raise is usually a good sign that the other less skilled players are limping in with garbage. You can choose to raise with this hand as the strength of your poker hand is likely good enough to survive even if you get called.

Always make a point of recognizing the players at your table and their particular style. If your opponents are calling stations and fish, you want to ensure you play optimal poker according to the strength of poker hands you select. On the other hand if your players are tight and will fold to big bets or raises, the strength of poker hands you play can be considerably lower. Remember your position and your opponents, you will almost always be ahead with a wide variety strength of hands.

Discover the poker hands to fold and the hands to play according to solid poker strategy in this free book.

Consider the Strength Of Poker Hands you play and learn the strategy of making good poker decisions.

Beat Online Poker RNG Part 2

Dangerous pokeredge download, online poker player tracker and player tracking software.

In addition to detecting the usual methods of collusion; for example, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker can detect when you have your IM (instant messenger) window open through use of a program stored in your registry file. The online poker algorithms program is capable of detecting EVERY program, software, application or browser window you have open at the same time as your poker client. In addition, PokerStars uses a proprietary method to detect if you have certain software (such as poker edge or Poker Tracker) installed on your computer, whether those programs are open or not.

This includes poker hand tracking software, online poker player tracker using poker player stats online at free poker stats websites. The use of poker stats from sharkscope or online poker stats found on PTR or any other poker database is considered cheating by PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.

Why would they want to know what programs you have open or installed on your computer? To detect cheating. When you download poker software such as poker edge and poker tracker as well as the use of any data mining software, this is against the terms of service on Full Tilt Poker (see terms, section 8 ) and PokerStars (see prohibited software on PokerStars). This way, if you are using such prohibited poker software, the site knows about it and can take preventive action against you.

How do they take action? Well PokerStars claims that they will not close your account or seize your funds, rather they will ‘educate’ you, as they prefer to educate their customers and not punish them. Full Tilt, on the other hand has seized many poker players accounts for using poker cheats software and has been the subject of several lawsuits regarding the use of poker bots. (Full Tilt did suspend Brian Townsend (their own Full Tilt Poker Pro) for using datamining software)

The method in which PokerStars and FullTilt take action, is that they allow the online poker algorithms to do what they do best. It detects the programs, apps, or suspicious behavior of a user, and then implementing the poker algorithm it will determine a poker hand that causes you to lose.

Continue to Part 3 of How To Beat Online Poker RNG

Anyone can spend hours upon hours reading poker forums, poker strategy articles and even poker books. Yet, the only true way to learn about poker and how to win at poker is by applying your knowledge in the best situation for you. Every game of poker you play will have a completely different set of circumstances and that in and of itself requires you to become skilled at making the right decision in each situation.

Some may argue poker is all about luck, or the draw of the cards. While in fact the draw sometimes does cause bad beats and sometimes give you a massive suckout, however the true methods of success in how to win at poker rests solely on proper decision-making. Now of course, the question on your mind is probably, how do I get to the point of making the right decision at the right time?

That is the real secret behind the success of many professional poker players! The fact is that the ability to make the right decision is dependent on you experiencing as many possible scenarios as you can. The way to do that is to spend time in first learning as many strategies about poker that you can. Then using the knowledge of those poker strategies, you can try them in your next Texas Hold em tournaments and experience the result and outcome.

The best way to learn about poker strategy is typically by reading more poker books and poker strategy articles. From each book or article, take away a little knowledge that you can apply in your game. Do not make the mistake of learning a few simple skills and then only use them,. You need to learn every poker trick in the book in order to succeed.

Remember that anyone can learn about poker and play in a Texas Hold em tournaments. It takes experience and skill to consistently win at poker. Do not sell yourself short, pick up a few poker books and read as many poker strategy articles as you can to improve your performance and become a better poker player.

Pick up a free book on how to win at poker and learn several different professional strategies. You can also learn About Poker from professional players in their poker books.