Texas Hold'em Poker Guide
Many Texas Holdem players put the focus on their Pre-Flop strategy. They take a look at their hole cards and then decide how they are going to bet for the rest of the game. This is one of the biggest mistakes a Holdem player can make. Good Post Flop strategy is just as important, if not more important, than your strategy at the beginning of the game.
The biggest part of Post Flop strategy is taking the other players into consideration. Don't just look at the Flop cards in terms of how they can help you build a hand. Look at the Flop cards in terms of how they can help your opponents. If the Flop is 6-7-8, for instance, then a player with 4-5, 9-10, or 5-9 in the hole already has a straight. Look at the Flop to see what sort of hands can be created with any other two cards. It's also important to remember that after the Flop you still have the Turn and River, which could improve your opponents' hands even more.
One of the biggest mistakes that Holdem players make is sticking in the game with Ace-Ace in the hole. While this is a great starting hand, a bad Flop can turn this hand into virtually nothing. If there is a good chance that another player has a flush or a straight and the Flop doesn't improve your hand at all then you are better off folding your pair of Aces.
Many players also get overexcited when they have Two Pair on the flop. It's true that with only one more card a Two Pair can turn into a Full House. However, if it doesn't then you are stuck with just Two Pair-the second lowest possible hand. You should only go forward with Two Pair after the Flop if the three community cards dealt can't be part of any other hand besides your pairs.
If you have analyzed the Flop and find yourself with "The Nuts"-an unbeatable hand-then the best Post Flop strategy is to Slow Play. You know you are going to win this hand, so play as if you have a mediocre hand. Avoid raising-just check and call. This way you can get the other players to stay in and add money to the pot to increase your winnings.
Remember-the worst thing you can do in Holdem is to make all your strategic decisions Pre-Flop. Analyze the community cards as they are dealt in the Flop, Turn and River to determine exactly how good your hand is and you can build a winning Post Flop strategy.