Gaming Today

‘Trouble’ and ‘Danger’ words to avoid

There are all sorts of poker hands. Recently, I had the misfortune to learn the hard way about “trouble hands” and “danger hands” (I believe I coined those expressions). It was unexpected, and it was a costly lesson. And I have since given a lot of thought to them. Listen carefully to what I tell […]

Poker candidate for Strangest Hand of the Year award

There is the Poker Player of the Year (PPY) award; so why not one for the Strangest Hand of the Year? (aka: SHY) According to the “Texas Hold’em Poker Textbook” (tomgreen@pokertextbook.com), with seven cards to make the best five-card hand, the most common is one pair (probability 44%), followed by two-pair (23%). The most rare […]

Poker math makes you a winner not luck

It requires skill to use the mathematics of poker to be a winner. Otherwise, you are mostly depending on luck, over which you have no control. That’s what losers do. Our two previous columns discussed ways to facilitate the use of Poker Math while playing Texas Hold’em: • Preflop, circumvent the need to use poker […]

Know how to use your pairs in poker

Playing Texas hold’em, in the long run, you will be dealt a pair in the hole (a pocket pair) one out of 17 hands. Let’s put this statistical fact into perspective, and discuss the ramifications. With 30-35 hands dealt per hour, you can expect to be dealt a pair – any two cards of the […]

Poker is about winning the most chips, not most hands

In order to “win better,” our primary goal is to win more money – rather than just more hands. What’s your thought on playing suited hole cards? There are poker players – foolish souls – who just love suited cards in the hole. They are so beautiful to behold! Give these foolhardy players two suited […]

Aggressive vs. assertive in poker

In poker, it is generally accepted that aggressive play is the opposite of passive play. The passive player rarely raises; whereas, the “aggressive” player often raises and even re-raises when he feels it appropriate. The player may be raising to build the size of the pot or to encourage opponents to fold their hands – […]

Poker can be a great lesson for life

At the suggestion of my friend, Freddy P., I am writing a book on winning at poker and life. It is designed to show how poker concepts, strategies and tactics apply to our daily lives. Poker players can transfer skills developed in playing poker to gain more successful and happier lives. After reading a preliminary […]

Algorithms and Aces

Since writing my book “Hold’em or Fold’em? – An Algorithm for Making the Key Decision” several years ago, I have identified several exceptions to the algorithm. As we all know, there often are exceptions to rules. Ace is best The best card in the deck is easily an Ace. Whatever variety of Texas hold’em you […]

Big Blind play depends on the table

In parts I and II we discussed (1) certain A-rag hands as exceptions to the Hold’em Algorithm starting-hand criteria, provided the Hold’em Caveat was satisfied; (2) playing at a loose-passive table; and (3) on the Button in an unraised “family pot.” A fourth exception This time, you are the Big Blind in a limit game, […]

The 20 Best Starting Hands In Poker

Playing Texas hold’em, you have been dealt two holecards. Now you must make the most important decision: whether or not to invest in this starting-hand. I always teach my seniors poker classes to use the Hold’em Algorithm. That makes the decision much easier – and less stressful. I thought our readers might be interested in […]