Online Poker and Playing at Shorthanded Tables

One of the many benefits of poker’s infiltration of the online world is the ability to create new ways to play the game that just wouldn’t be feasible offline. Some examples include Sit ‘n Go tournaments and micro-limit games. These tables are simply unprofitable to land-based cardrooms because they generate too little revenue for them. Another online poker phenomenon is the shorthanded ring game, which typically seats 6 or less players. These games are quickly taking over full ring games in terms of popularity online.

Reading the Board

Good Hold'em players can 'Read the Board', and they know what hands might be lurking out there at the table ready to show themselves and take the pot. They also know what hands can not be possible, and so they know not to worry defending against them. How can you tell what hands are possible, and what ones are not? Here are some simple guidelines to get you started.
Note:This article compliments of the Poker Prophet.

The Importance of Seat Position

So you are sitting at a $3/$6 Hold'em table, and the cards are dealt. You decide that with your hand, it is worth $3 to see the flop. You call. The next two players fold, the following player raises. Now you decide that it isn't really worth $6 to see the flop, and you wish you had never placed a bet in the first place.
Note:This article compliments of the Poker Prophet

Texas Holdem Starting Hands

The first thing a Holdem player should learn is which cards are worth playing, and which should be folded. Many beginning players stay in a hand with cards that have little or no future, and it ends up showing in there chip count.
Note:This article compliments of the Poker Prophet.