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Advanced poker strategy

Because each and every poker player has his own style, I recommend you scrutinize the strategy and apply only those which you would be comfortable with. You might be an adrenaline addict and love to frequently raise the pot or you might be the nervous or the conservative kind or even the poker player without sufficient courage to bet even with strong cards.

In my opinion, examples of poker situations and suggestions how to act if such a situation occurs aren't helpful. Hence I will list a few strategic guidelines to play by. Use these well and your poker will improve drastically.

Learn Poker Mathematics
Being pretty easy to master, you should get acquainted with poker mathematics. Play poker using simple arithmetic and patience. But note that if as the number of players rise, the odds of your winning with an average hand decreases.

For instance - if in poker you are dealt a pair of queens: if you are playing only against one other poker player then your chances of winning are high and you should retain the pair. But if you are playing against six others, note that your chances are slim.

Be Aware of the Probabilities and Odds
While I am not suggesting you memorize the odds, be aware of the odds of beating certain hands in poker. Don't try and remember them by heart, but rather try and absorb the general implications. Many great players play according to general principles and have no clue of the exact odds.

Don't Betray your Hand
Keep a straight face and show no emotion whether you win or lose. Don't speak unnecessarily to others. This might distract you and might also reveal to other poker players the strength or weakness of your hand. In short, keep a poker face at all times. This is an important quality and needs practice because you have to keep and unemotional face throughout the whole poker game. Note that by mastering this, you prevent other poker players from reading your hand. Do this and you will win not only more often at poker but larger sums of money.

Forget comradeship or friendship.
The moment you begin poker, put aside your friendships. Poker is a game of money and is played to win. Thus, leave friendship behind. If you hold a very strong hand, don't alert your friend. You won't win! Desire to play well and win accordingly? Play ruthlessly, your friends will do the same and they are well aware that they are playing poker and could lose money.

Get acquainted with the opposition:
To play well, you must be somewhat like a psychologist. Get acquainted with the psychology of poker. Believe me when I emphasize that when the stakes start to rise various emotions come into play.

For instance, at a poker game one of the players would sometimes ask whose turn it was to play. After a few hands were played I understood that every time he asked this question, he held very strong hands or he was definitely going to bet. Accordingly whenever he had weak hands he was silent.

Use all these suggestion well and I guarantee your poker will improve drastically. Note how other players are playing and try and fathom their cards. At first, you will find it difficult, but with time will find it easier.