Plays New Texas Holdem Players Must Avoid
It should be stressed that while the significance of knowing and applying the correct Texas Holdem strategy cannot be underemphasized, equal importance must be given to also knowing the plays that must be avoided. If you have no idea of the pitfalls, you could easily end up losing a lot of money.
The following may seem, for someone who has played the game for a while, to be no brainers. But if you are still new, it is very important that you keep them in mind always. If you see a lot of your competitors lose their money, it is usually due to any of the following actions.
The first is raising from early position or from the blinds. Unless you are holding the best hand, this is almost always a poor Texas Holdem strategy. It does not matter if it is a cash game, a Poker tourney or shorthand; when you are under the gun, only raise with the best hands. You are out of position and will have little idea of what everyone else is carrying.
Some players feel compelled to raise when they are in the blinds to protect their "investment". Again, unless you have something solid, avoid it. If you are holding decent cards, you can limp to the pot, but always adopt a tight Texas Holdem strategy when in these spots.
Another advice you will read often on the Internet is to avoid bluffing too much. The bluff is a legitimate Texas Holdem tactic, and can be utilized to great effect. However, before you use it, you must be aware of the proper circumstances and if the situation actually warrants it. if you get called down, do not try it again, at least for a while.
The eagerness of some players to get a piece of the action leads them into another bad habit, and that is to play any and all hands. There are differences in opinion as to which cards belong in the top ten or twenty most playable, but there is no question that playing hands like 27, 38 and J3 off suit is not profitable.
A consequence of playing these bad Texas Holdem hands is that of chasing hands. In the end, you will end up just paying your opponents a lot of money, for you will end up with the second best hand. Going for gutshot straight draws and backdoor flushes are almost never worth the risk unless the pot is large.
If you want to be a good Texas Holdem player, you need to always be on top of your game. This does not just entail using the proper tactics, but also knowing the plays that you must avoid. By keeping these two elements in mind, you will always be on the right track.
