Online Casino Conditions - Texas Hold'em Tips

Like any game of poker, players should endlessly be asking themselves if staying in the game is worth it. Considering elements like stake amounts, pot odds, and the right time to fold is key in keeping ones bankroll alive long enough to produce a positive return. The most vital consideration of the aforementioned should be regarding the action of folding.

There are just two important factors when deciding whether to fold or keep a hand. The first is a players hole cards. The second is the outcome of the Flop. (Reveal of three community cards). The higher a player's hole cards are, the better chances there are to form a winning hand. However, this still does not entail a player should stay in the entire game with two high cards - Nor does it entail that if the player does stay in, will it become a winning hand. Generally speaking, there are five classifications of what is commonly called High Hands. Depending on the outcome of the Flop, the high hands should at least stay in the game for the first betting round.

The following are the High Hand Classifications: (The scenarios regulated by the Flop follow):

A King and a Jack or Queen can pose a risk, but is still worth seeing the Flop through. The cards do not need to be of the same suit.
An Ace with a High Card of different suit also poses a risk, but still possesses potential. It is imperative for this hand to have a high card (nothing lower than a 9), for an Ace with an unsuited 8 or below is not a strong hand.
Face Cards and Tens of the same suit have a good chance at becoming flushes, straights and high pairs. Hold onto these for the Flop.
An Ace with a High Card of the same suit is one of the best two-card hands a player can have. The high card should be nothing lower than a Ten. Flushes, straights and straight flushes have potential with this hand.
High Pairs are the best two hole cards a player can be dealt. Any pairs above a 7 are worth staying in the game for a while. If a players bankroll is in good condition, low pairs are worth staying in for the Flop. Depending on the outcome of the Flop, (see below) low pairs may be better off folding, or, they may become something better, and should stay in the game.

Remember, depending on the circumstances of the game, there are other hands worthy of being played. However, these High Hands hold the most potential and should be memorized by any player using strategy. Regarding the Flop, this can change a player's entire approach to playing a hand. These tips will help to answer the "fold or not to fold" question:

Straights should be played to their high end rather than their low end. Straights are right down the middle, as far as the ranking system goes, and therefore should be played with caution. Most players will advise to not fold on a potential straight, no matter how low the high card is. However, the lower the high card's value is, the more cautious a player should be about playing for a large pot or bluffing war, in which the stakes and raises are getting out of control. For instance, let's say a player's hole cards are an unsuited 2 and 5, and the Flop is a 3, 6, Jack. The best this hand can become is a 2,3,4,5,6 Straight. Again, the straight may not even manifest - and if it does, it still has a chance of being beaten by at least another straight with a larger high card. Again, whether under these circumstances the player calls, checks or raises following the Flop should be contingent on the pot size and a players bankroll. Most often a player should stay in, but still bet and raise with caution. In other words, don't get to confident with a low straight.

Stay in with hands that can become either a Straight or Flush. This has potential of becoming a Straight Flush, and at this point, should be played aggressively. The player should attack the next betting round with bets and raises.

Only stay in if the flop produces a two pair at the very least (For players choosing to see a low pair through the Flop). Although a three of a kind would be a better hand at this point, the two pair still has more potential of becoming a Full House than a three of a kind becoming a four of a kind. Regardless, both of these hands should be played through the Turn.

If holding a High Pair, use caution if the Flop produces consecutively ranked cards. Again, depending on the player's bankroll and pot size, a player with a high pair may still want to stay in after a Flop that produces a 8,9,10. Although this can lead to a straight for another player, the High Pair can become a Three of a Kind, which may pay off if the Straight does not manifest. Low pairs should definitely Fold at this stage.

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