Helpful Tips, Hints, and Advice for Poker Players and Beginners.

So I’m scrolling through the 5/10 free chips on Full Tilt Poker and see a red highlighted line so of course I’m intrigued. The red line means it’s a pro playing. Looks like a lot of railbirds cuz the chat is packed and the waiting list is maxed at 255.

So I just sit back and watch the chat and gonna study how the Pro plays poker.

I notice that every time he’s on the button, he raises. Even after the flop he'd push if everybody checked to him. And I saw most times everybody folded. One time there was a reraise and the pro folded.

I’m fairly new to poker so I never really knew what “position” meant. Well of course I kinda knew what it meant but after seeing this pro work it I REALLY understood it.

So I’m out and about had a DR. Appt and decided to go to the local card room after I was finished cuz its been just internet play solid 8 hrs a day last 30 days and my eyes are buggin real good. I sit down with $20 and DON’T post, and just watch the players till the blinds come. Boy nice to have tells and I picked up on a lot very fast.

I notice this one player always plays every ace no matter what the kicker is. So bout 2 hours go by and can you believe it I haven’t lost a hand yet?!

I played the pros methed with raising on the button about 2 times with good cards and had one show down and won, but this last time listen to this;

On the button with K 10 clubs family pot of limpers. I raise and lose about half of players. Flop comes A 8 9 rainbow one club.

Everybody checks, so I bet.

1 caller, the guy playing A rag all the time. I’m thinking Shit I’m way behind.

Turn comes, I cant remember what it is but no help to me, he checks, I look at him as I bet, figure only way to win is to bet at it. Haven’t lost yet so I’m ready for a loss here. He reluctantly calls. Kinda figity like he don’t know what to do.

So I’m convinced now he‘s holding weak ace.

River comes and again I only remember that it wasn’t a K and no flush no straight.

Again he checks. I’m sure I had to show a sign cuz my heart is pumping big time as this time I announce “bet” and push chips in the pot. Figured I pushed all this way my last chance at winning this pot.

He says “FOLD” can you frickin believe it! I take a big breath cuz I haven’t taken one in bout 2 min and say “good cuz I totally missed” as I show him my cards. He was furious! He had a weak ace just as I thought. He went on tilt after that and lost the rest his chips.

I took down bout a $50 pot that I should have lost! I soon left after that cuz I had to get going but left a hundo up in bout 2 hrs playing $2/$4 hold’em. Without losing to a showdown.

2 things here:

A rags. It’s a tough decision, why would you even play it, especially out of position.

I actually learned something watching a pro on Full Tilt! My game improved that much more!

True story.

1. Ace-Ace
This is the best Hold'em poker hand you can hope to have. It's the best of the best, and will win more than any other hand. Also known as American Airlines, pocket rockets, and bullets.

2. King-King
This 2nd-best hold'em hand is still incredibly strong and will win you a good chunk of change. Two kings, or "cowboys" are only dominated by aces.

3. Queen-Queen
Two queens, or "ladies" are a very good hand. Sure, kings and aces will beat you, but you've got the upper hand on jacks and below.

4. Ace-King
Ace-king is a strong but tricky hand. It is the strongest of the drawing hands, but the flop needs to work with you to give you a pair of aces or kings for it to really pay off. Suited it is slightly stronger than unsuited, as then you can also make the nut flush much more easily.

5. Jack-Jack
A pair of jacks, ten-handed, will win almost 20% of the time. If the flop shows a queen, king, or ace, watch out, but otherwise, it's smooth sailing.

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6. Ace-Queen
Ace-queen is the second best drawing hand, and when suited, will win about 20% of the time as well.

7. King-Queen
King-queen, especially suited, is a great drawing hand that is only afraid of an Ace falling on the board.

8. Ace-Jack
Ace-jack is another great drawing hand. Suited is always better here, but unsuited is still playable.

9. King-Jack
King-jack, especially in later positions, is a fine hand to play, but can be beat by any of the hands listed above and should be folded to big raises. Statistically, suited it will win just under 19% of the time, but unsuited that drops to just 15%.

10. Ace-Ten
Ace-ten is still a good hand -- you've got the ace, and can make a straight if the miracle J-Q-K falls on the board. But be wary of playing it too strong, especially unsuited, as if all you end up with is a pair of aces, you may be out-kicked.