The Intelligent Guide to Texas Hold'em Poker Copyright O 2003 by Intelligent Games Publishing Book cover writing by Susan Kendrick Writing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner, or distributed through any medium, including photocopying, electronic data stor- age and transmission via the Internet, without written consent from the publisher. Exceptions are usage of brief quotations for the purposes of criticism and review. For information contact: Intelligent Games Publishing P. 0.Box 6705, Towson, MD 21285 Web Site: www.intelligentpoker.com E-mail: [email protected] Write the publisher for bulk price quotes. ISBN 0-9677551-2-3 Library of Congress Control Number: 2003100272 Publisher's Cataloging-in-Publication (Provided by Quality Books, Znc.) Braids, Sam. The intelligent guide to Texas hold'em poker / Sam Braids. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. LCCN 2003 100272 ISBN 0967755 123 1. Poker. 2. Gambling. I. Title. GV 125 1.B73 2003 795.41'2 QBI03-20008 I PLEASE NOTE: The material contained in this book is for informational pur- poses only. In no manner should this book be construed to offer legal advice on the issue of online gambling. It is the reader's responsibility to know and follow the laws that apply in his or her state and jurisdiction. Seek appropriate legal advice from a qualified attorney if unsure. The publisher does not endorse or guarantee any of the services described in this book. The reader assumes all risks and respon- sibility for his or her actions. If you do not agree with these conditions, you may return this book to the publisher for a full refund. CONTENTS Preface vii Introduction 1 Part I The Game of Texas Hold'em 3 Chapter 1. Rules 5 A Hand in Hold'em 5 Hand Rankings 6 Betting 11 Unique Features of Texas Hold'em 14 Chapter 2. Texas Hold'em in a Cardroom 17 Joining a Game 19 General Conduct 2 1 Rule Variations 24 Chapter 3. Texas Hold'em Online 25 Online Poker Rooms 26 Setting Up to Play Online 27 Conduct of Online ~ahes 30 Differences Between Online and In-person Poker 33 Part II Winning Poker 37 Chapter 4. Facts The Five Decision Factors Your Cards Your Position Number of Players Pot Odds Opponents' Playing Styles Chapter 5. Tactics Entering a Hand After the Flop After the Turn At the River Deception Chapter 6. Strategies Classifying Game Characteristics Four Extreme Poker Games . Loose-Passive Games Loose-Aggressive Games Tig ht-Passive Games Tight Aggressive Games Analyzing Game Characteristics Summary Part II I Putting It All Together Chapter 7. Mathematical Considerations Past, Present, and Future Probabilities Behaviors That Change the Odds Requirements for Success Chapter 8. Psychological Considerations Choose Your Battles Adjust Your Play to Conditions Part IV Where to Go From Here Chapter 9. Resources Books on Texas Hold'em Books on Poker in General Online Resources I 1 I Chapter 10. Places to Play Online Cardrooms Public Cardrooms Appendix I Hold'em Variations Omaha Omaha Eight or Better Pineapple Appendix II Poker Tournaments Glossary Index LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Betting Structure of $2-4 Texas Hold'em Layout of a Poker Table Frequencies of Starting Hands Strength Categories of Starting Han'ds Frequencies of Selected Starting Hands Position Recommendations for Starting Hands Odds for Multiple Pocket Pairs Probabilities on the Flop for Five-Card Hands Probabilities for an Overcard on the Flop Probabilities for Improving a Hand Minimum Pot Size for Correct Pot Odds The Strategic Grid Game Observation Form for Online Hold'em PREFACE This book is a concise guide to the rapidly expanding world of Texas Hold'em Poker. It provides an overview, vocabulary, and con- cepts that are essential to the play of Texas Hold'em, and to reading and interpreting the complex literature on the game. My motivation is to provide a guide to Texas Hold'em that informs readers without overwhelming them. For the beginner: This book will teach the rules of Hold'em poker, conduct in both public cardrooms and online poker games, the fun- damental tactics and strategies for play, and point you towards fur- ther resources, both in print and online. For the experienced player: This book is meant to provide a frame- work for thinking about Hold'em poker and serve as a reference. Carefully planned tables, charts, graphs, illustrations, and strategic summaries are provided to efficiently assist players in their real-time poker decisions. With the growth of online poker in recent years, it is possible for players to have charts and tables in front of them while they play. Some of these charts were designed with that use in mind. Some feutures unique to this book are: A discussion of online poker that includes how to set up to play online, the differences between online and in-person poker (Chapter 3), and where to go for online poker (Chapter 10). A strategy section that explains how to adjust your play to different game conditions. Successful poker players use a dynamic approach, constantly fine-tuning their play to pre- vailing game conditions. Included is a game observation form for online Hold'em that is used to focus your strategic think- ing before you enter a game (Chapter 6). vii viii *A section with essays on mathematical and psychological con- siderations necessary for success. A series of stories are told that illustrate key concepts in action. These vignettes, mostly real-life examples, should aid the reader in putting into prac- tice all the principles and information contained in this book (Chapters 7-8). Reviews of books and web sites. Do you want to know about other books on poker, purchase poker products, or locate a cardroom nearest your home or place where you plan to travel? You will find all of this information (Chapters 9-10). A quick explanation of common Hold'em variants such as Omaha and Pineapple, (Appendix I) and Poker Tournaments (Appendix 11). Texas Hold'em poker is a complex and subtle game. Simply fol- lowing a set of instructions will not make you a successful player. Mastering the game requires hours of both study and practice, and a commitment to a long-term, disciplined approach to play. This book is a road map to use on your journey. Sam Braids February 2003 Introduction This book provides a concise summary of Texas Hold'em poker, including rules, conduct, tactics, and strategies. Read this book to: Learn the rules of Texas Hold'em. Learn poker terminology. Learn to play Texas Hold'em in a public cardroom. Learn to play Texas Hold'em online. Learn the fundamental tactics and strategies. Learn to become a winning poker player. The goal of this book is to provide the tools you need to pluy an intelligent game of Texas Hold'em in any venue, and to give you a greater understanding of poker in general. Texas Hold'em is one of the many variations of poker. In all poker games, money is wagered On the outcome of each hand, but each variation of poker has its own structure for dealing cards, betting, and awarding the money wagered. Winning money is the object of all poker games. Without monetary stakes, poker is a meaningless game. Poker combines elements of both skill and luck. The structure of the game determines the extent to which skill is more of a factor than luck. In cardrooms throughout the country, two variations of poker pre- dominate-Seven-Card Stud and Texas Hold'em. Both variations require a high degree of skill to be successful. Only players with the knowledge, discipline, and patience to execute correct strategies will win over the long run. 2 THE INTELLIGENT GUIDE TO TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER Compared to Seven-Card Stud, Hold'em is characterized by More players: Unlike Seven-Card Stud, where a deck supports only seven players, in Texas Hold'em the deck can support 23 play- ers. In practice, cardrooms seat up to 10 players at a Hold'em table. Faster play: More hands per hour are played in Hold'em because fewer cards are dealt from the deck. No more than 25 cards are dealt in a 10-player game. With a fast dealer, it is possible to play as many as 40 hands per hour. Less memorization: All exposed cards in Hold'em remain on the table. There is no need to remember the contents of previously folded hands. *More competitive hands: The characteristic feature of Hold'em is the use of shared cards to make up a hand. Since most of your cards are also everybody else's, there will not be a great disparity between the strengths of the winning and losing hands. Hold'em is a complex, exciting, and aggressive game. For both the recreational and serious gambler, mastering Hold'em is a source of much enjoyment and many rewards. Part I The Game of Texas Hold'em This book begins with a discussion of how to play Texas Hold'em, covering the rules of the game (Chapter I), the actual conduct of games in public cardrooms (Chapter 2), and online poker rooms (Chapter 3). If you are completely new to Texas Hold'em, it is a poker variation that will seem strange at first. People with little knowledge of poker usually have a familiarity with stud and draw variations because of their portrayal in popular culture. Stud games "Five-Card" and "Seven-Card" are the most popular versions) deal hands that are a mix of cards known only to the holder and cards seen by everyone.