Tiếng ViệtHow to play Poker in the Preflop round is simple but not easy to play. With poor players, they often make decisions right when holding cards and care about whether the opponent raises or calls. In order not to miss good opportunities and waste time playing cards. You should learn carefully about how to play as well as important factors before deciding to play the Preflop round.
Features of Preflop Betting Round in Poker
There are four main betting rounds in a standard Poker game: pre-flop, flop, turn and river. Each round has its own way of playing, placing points and strategies. In which:
- The Preflop betting round takes place immediately after the player receives 2 cards face down. In this round, the player will have to consider whether to participate in the game or not based on the two cards he is holding.
- The characteristic of this Preflop Poker game is that only the player knows clearly about his two cards. The player will not have any information about the opponent’s cards. Based on speculation about the strength of the opponent’s cards and his own card data to proceed with betting.
- The starting bet of this round is usually low and the player will have two options: limp (bet according to the mandatory bet) and raise (increase bet) to take control of the game.
How to play Poker in the Preflop round effectively?
How to play Poker in the Preflop round effectively, players need to pay attention to factors such as: Seating position at the betting table, the playing style of the opponents, the number of chip stacks and especially how to choose a poker hand.
How to choose a Poker hand?
After being dealt two cards face down, the first thing the player needs to do is look at the cards and choose a Poker Hand to start participating.
According to the opinion of some experts, if you are a safe player, it is best not to choose to play trash cards. Even if you only call the bet with 1x Big Blind, this is quite dangerous.
On the contrary, for experienced players or those who have participated in a game long enough to be able to evaluate their opponents. Players can consider choosing more risky Poker Hands. This helps increase the excitement of the game and you also have the opportunity to improve your Poker playing skills.
Seating position determines how to play poker in the Preflop round
Depending on the position, the player will be able to create his own advantages. In a Poker game, there will be the following sitting positions:
- Small Blind (SB) is the first person to the left of the Dealer to place the small blind
- Big Blind (BB) is the next person to the left of SB to place the big blind.
- Under The Gun (UTG) is the first person to act in the Preflop round
- Early Position (EP) the player in the first position
- Middle Position (MP) the player in the middle of the Poker table
- High Jack (HJ) the player in the last position
- Cut-Off (CO) is the position right before the Button
- Button (BTN) is the last action position in the Poker betting rounds.
According to experts, the first person to act is always a disadvantageous position. Because you can let your opponent know information about your Poker Hand. Just by observing your actions, will they decide whether to follow the bet or not?
- In positions like UTG and EP, choose strong cards to participate.
- MP and HJ positions are encouraged to participate when owning a wider poker hand.
- CO and BTN positions are two favorable positions, players can create more Hands in this position.
How to play the Preflop round based on your opponents actions
We can link the sitting position and the previous actions of the opponent to make a decision to join the game. The closer the player sits to the Button position, the more advantageous it is.
The way to play poker in this Preflop round is mainly to observe the actions of the opponent. The common actions in the Preflop round are as follows:
- All the previous opponents choose to fold and it is your turn.
- There is an opponent who chooses to raise (increase the bet) before.
- Some opponents choose to Limp (bet at a small amount).
For example: If the opponent often has the behavior of folding, you should consider raising more bets. On the contrary, if the opponent plays aggressively, you should raise less bets.
What is your chip stack and your opponent’s?
The number of chips stacked on the table is also a factor that affects the way how to play poker in the Preflop round. Because you can rely on it to choose a specific playing strategy for yourself.
If you own more than 200BB, the player can choose to play deep stack. On the contrary, if you own less than 200BB, you can choose to play big stack or mid stack. And if your chip stack is between 20-40BB, you should only choose to play short stack.
Choosing a strategy based on your chip stack is because the difference can lead to your opponent going all-in at any time. If you have 200BB and your opponent has 40BB, you have to change to a short stack.
Conclusion
To be able to effectively how to play poker in the Preflop round. In addition to participating in real games and accumulating experience. Players also need to do thorough research before practicing playing. Hopefully, the information that A8 Poker shares can help you learn about Poker.
