Basic Poker Strategy
The Short Stack Strategy - Pre-Flop CONTINUED
When deciding which cards to play, if someone raises in front of you, you should:
- Play Pocket Jacks or better (i.e. Pocket Queens, Pocket Kings, Pocket Aces, and Ace/King), if one Player has raised before you.
- Play Pocket Kings and Pocket Aces, if several Players raised in front of you.
- Play Pocket Tens or better (i.e. Pocket Jacks, Pocket Queens, Pocket Kings, Pocket Aces, Ace/King), if a Player raised behind/after you.
- Fold any hands that are not listed in this situation.
- Always go All-In if you have playable/strong hands.
When a Player raises, this is a good indication that he has a strong hand and you will need an even stronger one in order to continue playing. If you don't, then don't Bluff; just fold and wait for a better hand.
The Short Stack Strategy - Post Flop
Now that the Flop is revealed, you will need to determine how much money you will invest on the Flop. If you have a strong Pair or better, you should consider continuing with your game play. If you raised pre-flop, you can consider playing if your hand stands a good chance of improving.
If you have a Top Pair (a hole card and the highest showing Community Card), this could be a good hand to continue playing. If your 2nd Hole Card is a Jack or better, you can play this hand aggressively. Bet or raise and try to go All-In by the River. If you have an Overpair (i.e. a pocket Pair that is higher than the highest showing Community Card. You should bet and raise and try to go All-In by the River.
Do not Bluff against more than one Player. If you don't get Top Pair or Over Pair or at the very least a good Draw (worthless hands that could improve with more cards being dealt) on the Flop, you should throw in your hand.
Bluffing only works if you raised before the Flop and are facing one Player who hasn't bet yet. In this case you bet again on the Flop. If the Player calls or raises your bet, discontinue Bluffing and Fold.
If the pot is already twice the size of the pot at the start of the betting round, go All-In. If no one has bet before you, bet two-thirds of the pot. If you have to bet more than half of your remaining money, go All-In. If another Player has bet in front of you, go All-In. If you bet and another Player raises, go All-In.
Listen to this catchy Poker song that will help you remember the Poker Terms you read here.
Now that you have learned the Short Stack Strategy, learn Texas Hold Em Poker Rules or go on to our recommended Poker Room to play Texas Hold Em Poker.