Poker News

Peter Costa

With so many new faces being attracted to poker - the editor has asked me to do a series of articles for complete beginners. As we progress over the next few weeks, I will try and guide you from learning the basics, to having the confidence to play in real tournaments. We will then move on from that and focus a little more on how to keep improving your game. So here goes…

If you can’t find a few friends to form a home game, I suggest that the best way to begin playing poker is probably through one of the many Internet sites. Most of the sites have play money games (play money means that it does not cost you anything to play and is just for pure fun) as well as covering most forms of poker. However, for beginners, I suggest Limit Hold’em may prove to be the best way to learn to play. Limit means there is a limit as to how much you can bet. For example; A 15-30 game means that the max bet at any time is 30. Later on in this series we will move on to No Limit Hold’em and to the different approach that this requires.

So take your seat and play way. Do not be afraid to lose your play money chips as they can be replaced. And after all, these chips are there for you to learn and to have some fun. Also, don’t worry too much about playing badly or making mistakes in these games. However, if you truly want to learn from the outset to play well; be selective with your starting hands. In other words, don’t just play every hand to see if you would have won.

By selective, I mean that you should start with good hands in the first place. Suited connecters (this means hands that are of the same suit and closely connected, like (9 -10 of diamonds or 10 - Jack of spades etc..). These hands should be played when there is value in the pot. For example: four or five players. But as play money games go, there will probably be value in many of the pots.

For even better hand selection, play big cards only, like JQ, QK, AT, AJ, AQ, AK and of course big pocket pairs like JJ, QQ, KK and the best of all AA. You should only play an Ace with any other card when they are of the same suit.

As for most other pairs 2-2 up to TT, you will find that with many players in the pot; you will need to improve to win.

The above instructions should be a good guideline as to how you should approach Limit Hold’em. However, these are not rigid rules. And also remember that these fun games cannot compare to playing in real money games. But through experience, you will develop a better understanding and feeling for the game. You can then look to adapt your play to suit the various situations that arise during Limit. These include position play, calling raises and when to raise. We can look at these in detail in the next issue. Until then-play well, get lucky and enjoy life.

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