Fundamental Concepts

Starting Hand Selection (Texas Hold'em)

Premium Hands (Always play):

- AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK (suited/unsuited)

Strong Hands (Play in most positions):

- TT, 99, AQ, AJ, KQ

Playable Hands (Position dependent):

- 88, 77, A10, KJ, QJ, suited connectors (9-10s, 8-9s)

Fold in early position:

- Weak aces (A2-A9 offsuit), unsuited connectors, low pairs (22-66) unless cheap to see flop

Position is Everything

Early Position (Under the Gun)

- Play only premium hands

- You'll act first on all future betting rounds

Late Position (Button/Cutoff)

- Can play more hands

- You get to see what others do before you act

- Can steal blinds more effectively

Blinds

- You're already invested, can see flop cheaper

- But you'll be out of position post-flop

Key Strategic Concepts

Pot Odds

If pot is $100 and it costs you $20 to call:

- Pot odds = 100:20 = 5:1

- Need to win more than 1 in 6 times (16.7%) to profit

- Compare to your actual winning percentage

Betting for Value vs. Bluffing

Value betting: Bet when you likely have the best hand

Bluffing: Bet when you probably don't, hoping opponents fold

Rule of thumb: Bluff less than you think you should, especially at low stakes

Tight-Aggressive (TAG) Style

- Play fewer hands, but play them aggressively

- Fold weak hands, bet/raise with strong hands

- Best style for beginners and most profitable long-term

Common Beginner Mistakes

Playing Too Many Hands

- Fold 70-80% of your starting hands

- "Any two cards can win" is expensive thinking

Calling Too Much

- Don't chase draws without proper pot odds

- Don't call with weak hands hoping to "hit something"

Ignoring Position

- A hand that's foldable in early position might be playable on the button

Playing Scared Money

- Don't play stakes where losing hurts financially

- Scared money makes poor decisions

Bankroll Management

Cash Games

- Have 20-30 buy-ins for your stake level

- Playing $1/$2? Have $4,000-6,000 bankroll

Tournaments

- Have 50-100 buy-ins

- $50 tournament? Have $2,500-5,000 dedicated

Reading Opponents

Physical Tells (Live Play)

- Sudden changes in behavior

- Betting patterns more reliable than physical tells

- Don't rely too heavily on "Hollywood" tells

Betting Patterns

- Does opponent bet big only with strong hands?

- Do they bluff often or rarely?

- How do they react to aggression?

Mathematical Concepts

Outs and Equity

Flush draw (9 outs): ~36% to hit by river

Open-ended straight draw (8 outs): ~32% to hit by river

Rule of 2 and 4: Multiply outs by 2 (one card) or 4 (two cards) for rough percentage

Expected Value (EV)

Always think: "Will this decision make money long-term?"

Not: "Will I win this specific hand?"

Game Selection

Choose Profitable Games

- Play against weaker opponents

- Avoid games full of professionals

- Look for loose, passive games as a beginner

Table Image

- If playing tight, occasional bluffs work better

- If playing loose, value bet more heavily

Mental Game

Tilt Control

- Bad beats happen - focus on good decisions, not results

- Take breaks when frustrated

- Don't chase losses by moving up stakes

Emotional Discipline

- Fold when you should, even if curious about opponent's hand

- Don't let ego drive decisions

- Accept that variance is part of poker

Practical Tips

Live Games

- Protect your hand physically

- Pay attention when not in hand

- Tip dealers appropriately

- Don't discuss hands in progress

Online Play

- Use HUD software if allowed

- Take notes on opponents

- Manage distractions

- Consider multi-tabling only after mastering single table

Study Recommendations

Books:

- "The Theory of Poker" by David Sklansky

- "Harrington on Hold'em" series

- "Applications of No-Limit Hold'em" by Matthew Janda

Practice:

- Start with play money or very low stakes

- Review your hands after sessions

- Use poker training sites

- Find a study group or mentor

Remember: Poker is a game of skill with short-term luck. Focus on making good decisions consistently, and the money will follow over time. Even the best players lose sessions - what matters is being profitable over thousands of hands.

Poker Strategy Guide