12 Tips for Better No Limit Texas Holdem

Most newbies to no-limit Texas hold'em are intimidated by its unlimited betting structure. But playing no-limit isn't as hard as it looks.

12 Tips for Better No Limit Texas Holdem

- Buy in for no less than the biggest stack on the table. The more chips you have, the more comfortable you will be. A short-stacked player is prone to being bullied and blinded out.

- Play only 20% of your hands in a full table. Fold junk hands avoid very low suited connectors. Play your best hands from early position and get looser as you near the dealer's right. On the button, you can play low suited connectors, but often and then only if the table seems weak.

- Learn to conceal your poker tells. Especially important in a B&M casino. If you're tight, don't be too tidy with your chips. If you are dealt a great pocket pair, don't be over-protective of it with your hand. When you bluff, don't try to act. Be your normal self.

- Play in tables full of calling stations. These are the easiest target you can have. Prey on them by playing tighter than they. At the same time you can afford to be a bit looser than usual. Be aggressive when you have a great hand.

- When you are up against a tight player and you sense vulnerability or uncertainty, bet big even with a modest or drawing hand. Chances are, your opponent will fold thinking the hand isn't worth the risk.

- Know the enemy. In poker, you are playing with the players, not the cards. We are all dealt the same hands over the long term. It is what we do with these hands that count. Read their tells to know what they are planning.

- Don't be afraid to bluff, especially semi-bluff. A great time to bluff is when you're in late position, the board looks scary yet no one has bet big. You can act as if you're the one the board helped.

- Beware of raising too often from the button. Everyone expects you to do this, especially preflop to steal the blinds. But raise from early position and you'll scare them.

- Before you steal the blinds, ask yourself if it's worth it. Consider the player who is in the blind. Clearly if they are the type who always defend their blinds, it's better not to try.

- Do not make a habit of calling. A call is a sign of weakness. If you don't want to raise a hand, fold it. But don't call just o stay in the game. Call only when you want to keep somebody in the pot, or are slow playing. Not raising enough is a big mistake.

- Preflop raises are fairly common, but beware of big bets and raises on the turn and river. When there's plenty of action like one re-raise after another, fold anything less than a monster.

- Don't ignore pot odds. If you can't do the math, use common sense. You know from experience that a gutshot straight draw is a long shot. If you have to bet the size of the pot to stay in, it's not worth it. But if you have a possible straight flush hand and the pot is 10 times the bet, it would be right to call.

Everything you do has more impact in no-limit than limit hold'em. It makes it a riveting, rollercoaster ride that's not for the weak-hearted. Use these tips and you'll find yourself enjoying the ride more.