Millions of players around the world enjoy card games. Poker is the most popular card game for leisure or gambling as it has the most players and enthusiasts. The techniques and skills required to play are players’ greatest drivers as they constantly seek to upgrade. Learning advanced techniques is important to win more games, whether you are playing casually or professionally. This article discusses some advanced techniques that you can use to improve your poker skills. These 7 techniques have been chosen because they are easy to learn but very effective.
Bluffing
Despite its simplicity, bluffing is one of the best ways to upgrade your poker gaming experience. At its core, poker is a battle of wits between you and your opponents. Players who can outsmart their opponents will always win. You should always look out for playing styles, vulnerabilities, and tells. Every player has a distinct way of behaving when they have different hands, which is the key to beating your opponent. Inversely, you should also learn how to control your emotions to not give away anything to your opponent. Incorporate bluffing techniques and other mental tactics into your game to throw your opponents off. This will allow you to get an advantage as you become harder to read and predict.
Pot Odds and Implied Odds
Pot odds and implied odds are two concepts that determine how players should measure risk and reward. Pot odds are the potential winnings a player might get compared to the risk involved. This is a rough calculation players should make to determine if a bet is worth calling. On the other hand, implied odds are the future value of the pot a player might win as the game progresses. It weighs the future possibility of you making a strong hand and the probability that you will be able to beat the other players based on your present hand. Therefore, pot odds evaluate the present while implied odds assess the future.
Pocket Pairs and Suited Connectors
This strategy is very effective in multiway pot games. The more players there are, the more likely one of you is going to hit a strong hand. When a pot is likely to go multiway, it is in your interest to play hands that can better the river or make two pairs. This is where pocket pairs and suited connectors come into play. Learning how to play pocket pairs and suited connectors is a great asset to have in friendly or competitive games. In multiway games, pocket pairs have an 11.8% chance of hitting a set on the flop while suited connectors have a 26.3% chance of getting a strong hand or draw. This technique requires practice so you know when you use it and when to hold back. With proper training, you will develop an eye for spotting the best scenarios to execute.
Bet Sizing
Choosing how to size your bets is an underrated skill in Poker. Knowing when to press your advantage by overbetting and when to scale back can determine whether you win a hand or not. Bet sizing works on boards where you have a better range than your opponent(s). Bet sizing is a technique that is best paired with bluffing as it throws off other players. When overbetting, your range should be polarized, and consist of strictly strong hands and bluffs. The most effective use of overbetting is when it limits your opponent, most likely strong hands. You should learn more about this technique in detail before using it in a competitive game.
Hand Selection
The decisions you make before the flop determine how the game will go. This is why hand selection is a very crucial part of any poker game. The first thing to learn is the difference between playable and unplayable hands. It is a common mistake among beginners to overplay poor hands and this leads to a majority of their losses. It is tempting to want to participate in every round but recognizing when you should take a step back and when to press on will improve your win percentage. It is also important to note that some hands that may appear weak at the onset might grow to become stronger hands. Knowing the difference is the key to hand selection.
Backdoor Draws
Backdoor draws can be used if you have an unpaired hand and the betting initiative. If you find yourself in a position of advantage over your opponent then you should consider using this technique. The backdoor draw is effective in these two scenarios:
- When the turn brings you a flush draw: Up your aggression with a double barrel bet.
- When the turn completes a lot of draws: Bet on cards that complete draws and force your opponent to over-fold.
Playing backdoor draws is a delicate technique that only the most advanced players use. You are encouraged to practice this technique in friendly games until you know how to properly implement the technique.
Check Raises
Check raises are important in poker and they are used for various reasons. Using them efficiently can give you the edge you need to beat your opponents. You can decide to check raise for value or as a bluff to rattle your opponents. You should not check raise each draw but add an element of surprise to throw your opponents off guard. When they do not know when to expect a check raise, it makes it harder for your opponent to predict your moves.
Playing poker using advanced techniques will give you an edge against opponents. Just like anything in life, practice makes perfect. You should practice these techniques frequently to learn how and when to use them. You can also check out other advanced techniques to add to your inventory as having a variety of techniques improves your chances of winning.
