In limit hold’em poker, you should be very aggressive. Most of the time other players will call your value bet even with weak cards. In no limit, things can be a bit trickier.

You also need to consider the type of opponent you are against when value betting. Casual players will call on your bet if he thinks he holds strong cards which can be good as what you have. If you feel that the casual player has a weak hand, don’t push in much chips since you want him or her to call.

If you are against stronger players, you need to consider what that opponent thinks you have. A casual player does not mind your cards but only his own but stronger poker players also think of what cards you have.

When value betting against a strong player, you need to bet based on what you have, what you think he has, and what you think he is believing that you have.

Value betting is actually very situational. It is pretty complicated to encompass in one article. It takes a lot of games and practice to feel your way into making most of value bets.

Good poker players can squeeze out some money from the toughest poker situations where so-so players cannot. The masters of the game can try something out of the book to see where it goes while newbies and mediocre poker players must not even entertain the thought of it.

Great players know that they can do something great on the poker table. This comes with a ton of experience and that is winning experience on the poker arena. Mediocre poker players has to face the fact that they will be outplayed most of the time by good players and that it is suicidal to do something beyond their set of poker skills.

A newbie may call some plays of experienced players unorthodox while the world looks the better player as the lucky party on the table. This happens because newbies pay attention on the early parts of the hands while the good players are focused on the latter portions of the hand.  Excellent players know how to finish a hand well while taking the risk of bigger bets and bigger pots without showing a bit of panic. Beginners will have their eyes on the pre-flop while the better poker players will focus on how to outplay the lesser-skilled players.

Great poker players has the understanding that they do not play the pot to win all the time but to create and re-create favourable situations that will give them a certain edge to have more winnings in the long run. These players may not be afraid to give away some small pots but they patiently stalk the end game where the best things can happen.

Guided by the above tips, one can start trying to have the mentality of a winner, of a better poker player. It takes time but poker like real life is really like that, tough.

Money in the Pot

How much you will bet of course depends on how much is at stake. Before betting or raising, you should check out how much is in the pot. How much you will add to the pot will affect the decision of your opponents, and it is up for you to react to the incorrect or correct odds they call.

The ¾ of the Pot Rule

If you think you have a monster with your cards in No Limit Holdem then, by all means, go ¾ of the pot. If you want to make the field thin and see some opponents fold then this is the way to go. Making small bets might help your opponents outdraw you.

The situation can be different if you want to appear weak and lead other players into a trap.

Before the Flop Raise

When you are raising before the flop, you should consider shelling out about three or four times the amount of the big blind. You can also add some bet to it if there players before you who are limpers.

Betting will allow you to control the odds and catch your opponents off guard. Remember to check out the pot before doing anything on the table.

Firstly before you even begin planning to host a party it is highly recommended you check with the local law. There is nothing worse that to have the long hand of the law to slap you with a huge fine for breaking the law. If it is not legal to gamble, it is highly recommended that you obey the law and do not play for money (we have to say this, but seriously…. ).

One of the first things you need to take care is the guests list. Everything that follows depends on the number of guests attending. For up to 10 players, 1 table will suffice. Anything between 11 and 17 will require 2 tables and if your guests list has above 17 people you will require 3 tables. Remember that as the number of tables increase the press sure on you as host also increases.

To host a poker party you will require a lot of drinks and snacks. However it is a good idea to impose a no food at table rule. Or else soon your cards and chips will smell of shrimps and sushi. Also it would be a good idea to arrange a small table next to the main game table to keep the drinks.

The first thing you need is casino chips and cards. Plastic chips are cheap. But if you are out to impress get hold of clay chips that definitely is better than the plastic ones. Make sure you have at least 50 chips per person. It is going be embarrassing to run out of chips even before the party starts.

Don’t bring out your torn and worn out deck of cards. Buy new cards. Get at least 2 decks per table.

Go over the rules before game starts for the novice players. And remember to have fun.