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Poker Strategy: Beginner Poker
Basic strategy concepts to teach new players how to play poker.
Whether you’re new to poker, a beginner player looking to sharpen your skills, or just new to FlopTurnRiver.com, this beginner’s section will get you acquainted with all of the above. Poker is different from other forms of casino gambling games because you play against the other players, not the house. The house takes a rake out of every pot, and that’s how they make their money. They couldn’t care less how each player plays their hand or how much each player wins or loses. Out of this unique structure, strategy is born. If you make fewer mistakes than your opponents, over the long run, you will make money. It’s as simple as that.
If you’re new, everything may seem overwhelming. But the best way to approach becoming a poker shark is to take it one step and one hand at a time. Browse all of our beginner poker strategy articles below, or signup for our poker forum and introduce yourself in the Beginners Circle. There are many winning players who are willing to give you advice to help plug your leaks and improve your game. Poker is a game of skill, anyone can get lucky in one hand or session. But it takes the people who become students of the game to become a consistent winner. Start your poker education now!
The Importance of Bonuses and Rakeback
the significance of Rakeback and bonuses in poker, emphasizing that they represent free money and can substantially impact a player's bankroll growth, especially for beginners
Poker Discipline
the importance of discipline in various aspects of poker, from bankroll management to in-game decisions, highlighting that while knowledge is crucial, the discipline to execute that knowledge is equally vital for success in poker
Revisiting the EV Calculations Tutorial Series
This week's column details not one but two of the most critical poker training series I have ever put together.
Texas Holdem Poker Hands Position (Full Ring)
Depending on your position, your poker hands order will change; this is especially true when the table is full. The later you are to act, the more liberal you can be with the order of the hands you choose to play. The closer you are to being first to act, the more conservative you’ll need to be.
The Efficient Frontier of Poker
draws parallels between poker and investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of achieving an optimal balance between risk and potential return
Mindfulness and the Manifestation of Mental Weakness in Poker
Entering poker games alert and with the right attitude can improve your game-play and bring you success. Learn how to reduce distractions and employ the proper level of mindfulness. Eventually, your good habits will spill over into other areas of your life.
NLHE Foundations #05: Putting Opponents on Pre-Flop Ranges (Part 2)
This time we're going to look at how to read 3-bets and completely dominate our opponents.
The Proven Best Poker Training Books of All Time
Learning how to play poker correctly is a tough enterprise. Fortunately, you don't have to reinvent the wheel -- by reading the tips and advice of players who have gone before you, your own learning curve can be significantly accelerated.
Should You Multi-Table?
explores the pros and cons of multi-tabling in poker, suggesting that while it can increase earnings, it's not suitable for everyone and may depend on individual skills, the competitive landscape, and the ability to adapt to faster gameplay
The Essential Poker Tactics for New Players
We have four tactics here in this week's column that all players should learn about on a very high level.
Getting Off the Bottom
insights on transitioning from being a novice micro-stakes player to a consistent winner
An Introduction to Abstract Thought in Poker
Following this system of training your brain to think about poker on a deeper level will raise your game up in a way that you can count on.
Limit vs No Limit Texas Holdem Poker
contrasts Limit Texas Holdem with No Limit Texas Holdem, highlighting the distinct strategies and dynamics of each game, with a focus on the greater control and strategic depth offered by No Limit Texas Holdem, which allows players to exploit larger edges against less skilled opponents
ISF – Five Rules To Beating Low Stakes
ISF's five rules for beating low-stakes poker games, emphasizing the importance of playing tight preflop, avoiding loose play out of position, opting to bet rather than check when planning to call, being straightforward with strong hands, and ensuring you're at a table with at least three weak players to maximize profitability
NLHE Foundations #06: Putting Opponents on Pre-Flop Ranges (Part 3)
he third installment in the No-Limit Hold’em Foundations Series on FTR, focusing on the skill of determining an opponent's hand range when they call pre-flop, emphasizing the relationship between calling and 3-betting ranges
Beating Small-Stakes Cash Games
challenges and misconceptions faced by skilled players when playing at lower stakes, emphasizing the importance of adjusting one's strategy, avoiding over-bluffing, and recognizing that advanced poker knowledge can sometimes be a hindrance in games where straightforward play is more effective against weaker opponent
Texas Hold em Poker Hands Order
provides a comprehensive breakdown of the hand rankings in Texas Hold'em
Practical Game Theory in Poker (Part 1): Attack and Defense
Attack and defense in game theory mean somewhat different things than what you might initially think about in poker.
Building Your Bankroll
Even if you’re an experienced player, you should still give some thought to how you can build your bankroll so you can move up in stakes and increase your winnings. From avoiding tilt to taking advantage of bonuses and rakeback, this article gives meaningful advice about building your bankroll.
The Value of a Bankroll
having a sufficient bankroll in poker is not just about weathering variance, but also about enabling more aggressive and effective play, as it allows you to take calculated risks that can force your opponents out of their comfort zones
Short Stacked and Dangerous
how to navigate the challenging situation of being short-stacked in poker, emphasizing the importance of not panicking, assessing the game's dynamics, and employing well-timed aggression
The Newbie Circle of Death
chronicles a poker player's journey through various phases of gameplay, from initial success and overconfidence to setbacks and self-doubt, ultimately emphasizing the importance of discipline, focus, and treating poker with respect to achieve consistent success
Implied Odds Plays at 25NL and Below
nuances of playing at lower stakes no-limit games, specifically 25NL and below, emphasizing that bluffing is less effective at these levels and that a focus on pot odds and implied odds, along with value betting, is more profitable
Looking More Into Implied Odds
Learning implied odds on a deep level is something virtually no microstakes or small stakes players do, and it can drastically help your game.
How the Games Have Changed
the evolution of online poker since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, highlighting how the games have become more challenging due to an educated player base, the rise of multi-tabling, and the increased use of aggressive strategies
Breaking Down the Non-Hold’em Games Part 1
As No Limit Hold'em continues to become tougher to beat, many players are turning to other games instead. In this article, we'll go over the rules and outline simple strategies to help get you started in non-Hold'em poker games. Pot Limit Omaha has become the most popular "other" game.
Low-Hanging Fruit for Newbies in No-Limit Hold’em
We want to help you to boost your win-rates by fixing the six most common mistakes we see with new players by looking at their stats and hands.
Bluffing Frequencies and Exploiting Opponents
Appropriate for lower stakes players, this article demonstrates how to calculate your unexploitable bluffing frequency and your competitor’s unexploitable folding frequency. It also explains how and when to apply these unexploitable strategies to your advantage to maximize your winnings!
The True Essence of Poker
The essence of poker can be broken down into two scenarios that you should be studying like your life depended on it.
Online Poker Multi-Tabling Strategy
the balance between playing multiple tables and maintaining a quality game in online poker, offering tips on when to add more tables, how to use software aids like HUDs, and the importance of focusing on one's "A" game to maximize profitability
NLHE Foundations #07: Putting Opponents on Flop Ranges (Part 1)
understanding and categorizing flop ranges in No-Limit Hold'em, emphasizing the distinction between pre-flop and post-flop ranges, the significance of high card and wet flops, and the importance of analyzing opponents' continuation betting and checking habits to gain a competitive edge in the game
Bankroll Management: A Basic Concept Revisited
Every serious poker player knows that bankroll management is a huge part of the game regardless of what variant they’re playing. What are the keys to it? Playing at the highest stakes you can beat and ensuring your bankroll is large enough to give you a reasonable shot at winning over the long haul.
Bust-Out Blues
It's happened to all of us at one point or another. Even the great Phil Ivey went bust several times before hitting his stride. Rather than beating yourself up over it, take your bust-out as an opportunity to learn.
Handfuls of Trouble
pitfalls of playing seemingly strong but actually weak hands in poker - specific hands like A-10, K-J, J-J, and K-10 can lead to trouble
Importance of Table Position
the critical role of position in no-limit hold'em poker, explaining that having a later position allows players to gather more information about their opponents' actions, which is invaluable in a game based on partial information
Continuation Betting in NL Hold’em
An easily digestible explanation of continuation betting in No Limit Texam Hold’em. This article demonstrates which hands are ideal for c-bets, which aren’t and how, when and against whom a c-bet should be used to maximize winnings. It also explains how much you should bet in certain situations.
Practice makes Perfect
challenges the common adage, asserting that while practice is essential, it's the quality of practice that truly matters, emphasizing that perfect practice leads to optimal performance and highlighting the importance of understanding and correcting mistakes outside of live play“To Check/Raise or Not to Check/Raise?” That is Today’s Question
A check/raise is a potent move at the table which should normally be used sparingly, preferably in the later stages of cash games and tournaments. This article discusses some situations when you would and would not want to check/raise your opponents to increase your winnings or cut your losses.
No Limit Betting
guidelines for betting in No Limit Texas Hold'em, focusing on how to handle Top Pair Top Kicker (TPTK) and overpairs by betting half to 2/3 of the pot, and advises that if you're raised, you're likely beaten and should fold unless you have a strong redraw
Poker Hands
Find out the Ranking of Texas Holdem Poker Hands & the Order of each, from Royal Flush down to High Card, then take our hand ranking quiz!
Dumpster Diving: A Guide to Playing Trash Hands
If there's any better way to bring yourself out of a funk at the tables, I have yet to learn about it. Sometimes, playing a few less-than-premium hands can generate big wins and increase your level of play.
The Math of Poker
poker is fundamentally a game of mathematics, dismissing the notion of "luck" and emphasizing that every decision in poker can be expressed in terms of Expected Value (EV) or utility
Microstakes Grinding
the significance of starting with the lowest stakes in online poker, known as "Microstakes", and emphasizes the importance of bankroll management, choosing the right poker sites, adopting a basic strategy with a tight pre-flop hand range, and the value of post-flop play
NLHE Foundations #01: Introduction to Hold’em Ranges
the concept of hand ranges in no-limit hold'em poker, emphasizing the importance of understanding and counting starting hand combinations, and provides exercises to help players practice this essential skill for analyzing hands and situations in the game
Adjusting to Different Buy-in Levels
the differences in strategy required for playing at varying buy-in levels, from 20-50bb to 100-250bb, and the impact of antes on gameplay
Texas Holdem Starting Hands – 19 Hand Strategy
introduces a foundational strategy for new poker players, emphasizing the importance of playing a limited set of 19 strong starting hands to cultivate discipline, avoid common pitfalls, and build a solid understanding of the game before exploring more advanced tactics
Semi-Bluffing Examples to Build Your Intuition
Semi-bluffing can be an important part of your game, but many players have difficulty understanding how their EV increases just by having outs to the nuts before the river. This article examines examples which demonstrate the inherent value of semi-bluffing for new and experienced players alike.
Freeroll Finesse
Freeroll tournaments are a fine way to increase your bankroll without risking any of your funds. Many players play too loosely and crazily in these events, but you should resist the temptation to do so yourself. Make sure that the prizes offered are sufficient to interest you.
Implied vs. Reverse Implied Odds
while implied odds consider the potential future gains when making a call, reverse implied odds focus on the potential future losses, and understanding both is crucial for making informed decisions during gameplay
The Basics of Thinking Ahead in Poker
Making things as easy and effective as possible is a major part of being a good poker player, and that's exactly what you'll be able to do with planning your hand after you read this week's column.
Tactics vs. Strategy (Part 1): The Study of Tactics in Poker
The study of tactical play in poker is about figuring out which plays are likely to work well against certain player types and against the field as a whole.
Tactics vs. Strategy (Part 4): Practical Use of Strategy
In our final installment of this series, we look at how strategic and tactics are related and other resources for continuing your study.
chardrian’s Beginner’s List of Poker Leaks
Poker is a complex, difficult game, so it's only natural for beginners to make a lot of errors. The problem is in identifying these errors -- if you knew what they were, you wouldn't be making them! Take a look at these common leaks to see if any of them are present in your game.
Optimizing Your Sessions With Simple Routines
Establishing a set of routines to perform before you begin playing poker will produce long-term, positive results. By properly training your body, you'll be able to condition your involuntary responses to make you calm, focused and ready to play whenever you want to.
Nine Noobie Myths About Microstakes NLHE
debunks nine common misconceptions that beginners have about playing microstakes No-Limit Hold'em poker
The General Theory Behind Inducing Bluffs in Poker
Most people don't understand the relationship between inducing bluffs and value betting in the game of poker.
Brush Up Your Semi-Bluff, and Bring Home the Bacon
Knowing how and when to semi-bluff can increase your poker winnings. The advantages of semi-bluffing include you being able to control the pot, force your opponents to fold, slow the action and win big pots. With so many benefits, semi-bluffing needs to be incorporated into your playing regime!
No Deposit – All Returns: How to Build a Bankroll from Nothing Part I
how to build a poker bankroll without making any deposits, emphasizing the importance of understanding poker strategies, learning from play money tables, and leveraging freerolls on poker platforms to earn real money
Back to Basics (Part 6): True Equity
The money bucket model allows you to understand the four different forms of equity that we're going to cover here with instructive examples.
An Introduction to Game Theory in Poker
A reader-friendly, easy to understand explanation of game theory and its applications in poker. Explaining the differences between theoretical terms such as strategy, strategic options, domination and exploitation, the article teaches players how to use these principles to maximize their winnings.
Pointers for Micro Stakes No Limit Holdem
guidance for newcomers to micro-stakes No Limit Hold'em, emphasizing the importance of consistent bet sizing, managing expectations, understanding the long-term nature of poker, and the significance of sample size when analyzing gameplay statistics
Five Ways To Improve Your Game In the New Year
five key strategies for poker players to enhance their game, emphasizing the importance of honesty in self-assessment, being open to new ideas, practicing patience, understanding that perfection is unattainable, and maintaining an optimistic mindset
Playing Long Sessions
By learning how to play longer sessions at the poker tables more effectively, you can increase the amount of money you win. By carefully choosing the right tables and using lobby filters to your advantage, you can keep yourself in good +EV situations for extended periods of time.
Making Game Theory Easy With Simple Shortcuts
Game theory can be difficult to understand and apply during a game of Hold’em. After reading this, you’ll be able to figure out the right move without having to do complex math in your head. By remembering a few numbers and what they represent, you’ll be able to use game theory to your advantage.
Don’t Be a Poker Pansy
argues against the passive approach to poker, stating that it hinders long-term development and limits profits, while advocating for an aggressive style of play that maximizes edge and value
Tactics vs. Strategy (Part 3): The Practical Basics Balanced Play
Having the option to play in a balanced way is critical, and here we look at how to build this foundation in aggressive scenarios.
Simple 3-Bet Bluffing for Not-So-Advanced Players
A step-by-step guide to 3-betting, this article breaks down 3-betting for beginners so that it is no longer intimidating for them to use at the table. Situations such as having nothing after the flop and being up against a 4-bet are addressed so that new players know what to do when they occur.
Apply Yourself at Learning Poker
Whenever you read poker strategy guides or books, you must be prepared to study them carefully. Merely skimming the contents will not advance your game very much at all. You should always consider the strategic implications of anything you read to get the maximum value from it.
How to Make Actual Adjustments While Playing
Talking about making adjustments to your play is easier than actually making them at the table. Read through this example of how to make an adjustment to learn how to pull them off when you’re playing. Studying examples of successful adjustments will help you learn to execute them under pressure.
NLHE Foundations #04: Putting Opponents on Pre-Flop Ranges (Part 1)
how to deduce opponents' pre-flop hand ranges by analyzing their actions and using specific statistics like VPIP, PFR, and ATS, emphasizing the importance of understanding these stats in combination and the need for detailed study outside of active play to develop an intuitive grasp of opponent ranges
How to Decide Which Hands to 3-Bet for Value Pre-Flop
If you want to learn about how to 3-bet for value before you see the flop, you’ve found the right article. This will teach you how to 3-bet and when it’s appropriate to do so. You’ll also learn about your 3-betting range, calling range, folding range and why they are critical to your success.
Poker Hands Order | Poker Hands for Omaha Hi/Lo
Limit Omaha Hi/Lo has become popular due to its prevalence not only at dedicated Omaha Hi/Lo tables, but also in mixed games like HORSE. Half the pot is awarded at showdown to the high hand, and half is awarded to the best qualifying low hand.
Transitioning from Online to Live Play
If you’ve only played poker online, you will need to make some changes to your game before you play live in a brick-and-mortar casino. For instance, you’ll need to manually track your opponents’ stacks and the pots, abide by the casino’s house rules, tip your dealers and adapt to slower play.
NLHE Foundations #03: Calling to Close the Action in No-Limit Hold’em
third installment in the No-Limit Hold’em Foundations Course, emphasizing the importance of correctly analyzing situations where one can call to close the action, detailing the process of determining the equity needed for a profitable call
The Best Time to Bluff
Ever wonder what differentiates good bluffs from bad ones? This article explains the conditions that are the most ideal for you to pull off a bluff and the situations in which you’re least likely to succeed at bluffing. Your playing image and other factors determine when bluffing is a wise move.
NLHE Foundations #02: Basic No-Limit Hold’em Bluffing Analysis
the fundamentals of bluffing in no-limit hold'em, emphasizing the importance of understanding hand combinations, calculating fold frequencies, and using a shortcut method to determine the profitability of a pure bluff
The Delicate Nature of Pot Odds and Implied Odds
We have the three major weaknesses that players have when dealing with pot odds and implied odds, but we'll also show you how to correct them.
Tactics vs. Strategy (Part 2): The Foundations of Strategy
Once you understand the basis of tactical play, you can start to move towards strategic play which will give you a lot more options for exploiting your opponents.
Please Stop Paying Off Loose/Passives at the Poker Tables
Having the faith to lay down hands when facing aggression from loose/passive players requires a strong understanding of why you can fold.
Traits of Great Poker Players
By examining the playing styles of five of the world’s best online poker players, we’ve identified the four traits they have in common: trusting their instincts at the table, taking advantage of their table position, having a strong work ethic and not selecting games based on their opponents’ skill.
EV Calculations Tutorial 5: Tournament Calculations
If you want to make EV calculations during a Sit and Go tournament, you'll have to become familiar with the Independent Chip Model. The value of your chips will fluctuate depending on the stage of the tournament and your stack size. You need to use an ICM calculator to get accurate results.
The Process of Learning in Poker
Because there is no set way to study poker and the game’s variance makes it difficult to measure your progress, learning more about poker can be frustrating. But if you examine a single element of the game in multiple hands, you will accelerate your learning process and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Learning the Other Games
Even if you’ve never played anything but Texas Hold’em, there are universal poker principles that will make it easy for you to learn how to play other variants of the game before you master them. Your position, seat selection and bankroll management are critical when you are picking up a new game.
In the Trenches: Winning at Low-Limit Poker
Low-limit novice players will move all-in at the drop of a hat, or make ridiculous calls in obvious folding situations. They're playing for pennies, not pride, and their decisions fall into the “What the hell, let's gamble” category more often than veteran players would like.
Rules for Table Selection
strategies for choosing the most profitable poker tables, emphasizing the importance of sitting with less skilled players to your right and tight players to your left, as well as the value of leaving a table that becomes unfavorable
Bluffing on the flop in low-stakes limit
strategy of bluffing on the flop in low-stakes limit poker games, emphasizing the importance of precise bluffing in heads-up and three-way situations, particularly in un-raised pots, to maximize profitabilityTactical Thinking – Is It Enough?
the distinction between tactical and strategic thinking in poker, highlighting that while tactical knowledge about playing individual hands is essential, it's the broader strategic approach, including game selection, seat selection, and time selection, that will determine long-term success in the evolving online poker landscape
Modern Blind Stealing for No-Limit Hold’em
Online no-limit hold'em is known for focusing around a handful of plays, and stealing the blinds is one of those.
The Basic Concepts that Drive Continuation Betting
When it comes to continuation betting, your table position and the strength of your hole cards are even more important than the flop itself. By carefully considering these two factors in the context of how your opponent plays, you’ll be able to determine when you should make a continuation bet.
Texas Hold em Poker Hands Position (6 Max)
how to adjust one's poker hand strategy based on table position in 6-max Texas Hold'em games, emphasizing the significance of position in decision-making, and offering specific hand ranges to play from various positions
Playing Small Pairs in NL Full Ring
the challenges and strategies of playing small pocket pairs in full-ring no-limit hold'em games
The Principles of Performance for Poker
You can make it much easier to improve your poker game by following a few easy guidelines. Your problems as a poker poker are but a reflection of your problems in life and vice versa. With the proper level of self-awareness, you can set about successfully improving your play.
No Deposit – All Returns: How to Build a Bankroll from Nothing Part II
guide on how to build a poker bankroll from scratch, focusing on strategies for freerolls and cash games, the importance of game and table selection, and the psychological aspects of bankroll management
Poker Hand Percentages for Omaha
PLO is growing in popularity because it affords recreational players the chance to gamble, and it gives skilled players a pretty large edge. Keep reading to find out the best starting hands and learn the effects that the pot-limit betting structure has.
Practical Game Theory in Poker (Part 2): Pre-Flop Ideas
Take it to your opponent before the flop by covering up your own weaknesses when they are being attacked and going after the weaknesses that your opponents show you.
When the Game is Good……
When things are good at the table, you are winning money hand-over-fist! The key to keeping this rush or lucky streak going is to keep playing for as long as possible! Don’t set an end-time or pre-set a certain amount of winnings that will trigger the end of your session – just keep grinding!
Taking the Next Step
In poker, it's important to keep improving your game so that you can move up in stakes. By carefully considering bankroll management, studying the player pool at your new level and approaching the bigger game with the right mindset, you can increase your chances for success.
Comfort Zone
We've all fallen prey to the common ills of online poker – playing while you're too tired, playing for too many hours, forgoing meals or hydration, or sitting at the table with too many thoughts swimming in our heads. Here are a few simple tips that are guaranteed to make you feel better at the digital felt.
Dumb People Believe in Downswings
A funny look at the mythic term, “downswings,” this article debunks the existence of players being on downswings or upswings. The logic? Since every hand dealt in poker is independent of all others, you cannot up-or-downswing; you can only have an historical period of increased losses or winnings.
Poker Thoughts for Beginners
the importance of bankroll management, patience, pride, trusting reads, controlling tilt, adopting a tight preflop strategy, maintaining discipline, optimizing blind play, keeping detailed records, and ensuring that poker does not overshadow the significance of life itself
Essential Examples of Blockers in Poker
A good place to start working with ranges is looking at blockers, why they matter, how they work and what you can do with them.
Pay Attention and Stop Spewing Chips
Stop spewing chips by learning the 20 percent of the time that you should avoid your "automatic" play with these easy-to-implement changes in your thinking.